Reflash needed? Mopar brake controller

[Maximus1967]

I called the dealer today and they said once installed I needed a computer reflash is this for real or a cash grab?

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[sarguy1941]

The are trying to make money. The controller has 4 wires and can be mopar or any other controller. The vehicle does not know what is there. Do a search here as this comes up at least once every 6 months.

 

[aixguru]

Depending on your build year. There is a necessary update for VINs built before Jan 8th 2020. My dealer performed the TSB within my warranty period.

TSB 08-102-20

 

[Maximus1967]

My vehicle was recently in for service and they checked for any tsbs and did a reflash.

 

[abe57]

When the brake controller is installed it should work with no flash or anything else is needed . I installed my Mopar controller and once done it worked with nothing else needed .

 

[aixguru]

The flash was not to enable but to resolve an ABS module compatibility issue in early builds. An issue that could cause the MIL to light.

 

[mdyucca]

I have a 2021 built in January of 21. Once the Mopar controller was installed it worked fine with no trip to the dealer or flash.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The flash was not to enable but to resolve an ABS module compatibility issue in early builds. An issue that could cause the MIL to light.

I never did see a MIL/CEL on mine.
I worked with the dealer on it early on - and found two codes, one of them was B1783-01
They contacted STAR team and reported their findings. At that point STAR hadn't had reports of the issue - at least that's what they told the tech I worked with.....

It disabled traction control and other safeties.
Only a restart would resolve it.
The cluster lit up warning of traction control, stability control, but never a check engine light in my cases.

It ONLY happened if you pressed the button to apply the trailer brakes without applying the truck's brakes.
The ABS didn't like the signal from the trailer brake controller on the brake light circuit.
The flash of the ABS told the ABS to ignore it. I had to laugh at that solution.

I called the dealer today and they said once installed I needed a computer reflash is this for real or a cash grab?

Depending on the build date of your JT - it may need an ABS flash, but that's it.
Only if it was built before January 8th, 2020 would it need this.
Otherwise, the brake controller does not integrate with the truck, so no flash is needed.

The are trying to make money. The controller has 4 wires and can be mopar or any other controller. The vehicle does not know what is there. Do a search here as this comes up at least once every 6 months.

Not necessarily a 'money grab' - they MAY be thinking of Ram trucks - it does integrate there. So if they have never done a Gladiator but have done Ram trucks, that's very likely what they are thinking of.
They'd be correct, but not correct.
Early on we saw reports of dealers believing it was necessary because of Ram and they'd never done a Gladiator before, so assumed (incorrectly)

This is the TSB referred to in a prior response here -

 

[Maximus1967]

Thanks so much.

 

[Labswine]

[QUOTE="ShadowsPapa, post: 1100684, member: 25284"

Depending on the build date of your JT - it may need an ABS flash, but that's it.
Only if it was built before January 8th, 2020 would it need this.
Otherwise, the brake controller does not integrate with the truck, so no flash is needed.

[/QUOTE]

That's interesting...I have the Tekonsha Primus Brake controller on mine and have had absolutely zero issues with any of my systems, nor have I needed any flashes for anything.

My truck was built in June/July of '19.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

[QUOTE="ShadowsPapa, post: 1100684, member: 25284"

Depending on the build date of your JT - it may need an ABS flash, but that's it.
Only if it was built before January 8th, 2020 would it need this.
Otherwise, the brake controller does not integrate with the truck, so no flash is needed.

That's interesting...I have the Tekonsha Primus Brake controller on mine and have had absolutely zero issues with any of my systems, nor have I needed any flashes for anything.

My truck was built in June/July of '19.
[/QUOTE]
And it's VERY possible that Tekonsha has a diode on that brake light circuit.
The first brake controller I used by Redarc. Wonderful high-end trailer brake controller.
I used the harness made for Ram trucks (reversing two of the wires in the RAM harness from Redarc) because it had a diode in their harness. It prevented the controller from feeding brake light power when applying trailer brakes only.
So technically any third-party brake controller that used a diode in that line would work fine with zero issues.
And the MOPAR unit would have worked with a diode - but me being me - I wanted Jeep to be responsible and find and fix the issue.

The only issue is that if you want to get really technical, the state of confusion - oops, I mean state of California, has a law on the books that states that if you apply trailer brakes only, like by pushing that trailer brake controller button and not touching the tow vehicle brakes, the trailer brake lights must come on. I haven't looked to see if that's still the case or not.
Many won't meet that requirement because a diode in the line prevents that or the tow vehicle's system won't trigger the trailer brake lights.

 

[Maximus1967]

Nothing is ever easy
I think I am going to order a Redarc tow pro Elite. I don’t like the fact that the Mopar one eliminates the 12 volt socket. My build is before 2020 so I assume I will need an abs flash . I am so confused .

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Nothing is ever easy
I think I am going to order a Redarc tow pro Elite. I don’t like the fact that the Mopar one eliminates the 12 volt socket. My build is before 2020 so I assume I will need an abs flash . I am so confused .

Contact Redarc themselves, I believe they have a harness now that works without needing to do anything fancy.
On the other hand - may as well get the flash for the ABS.

 

[Maximus1967]

My vehicle was just in for service. They needed to re-flash the computer for something else. Would that not automatically do the same for the ABS?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My vehicle was just in for service. They needed to re-flash the computer for something else. Would that not automatically do the same for the ABS?

No. ABS is a different module. Likely you are getting a PCM flash.

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