Question about used Stage 1 PCM

[Dream4]

Originally Posted by dc3_1132

I just called the Dodge dealer in my town and they said it would cost me $50-$65 and take about 45 minutes to an hour.

The guy said that they had to put the PCM in the car to flash it??????

Does anyone have a link to those instructions???

If not flashed with your VIN, the car will only start up for a few seconds and then cut out as "MeanGreen" stated, This is due to the anti theft module that checks the PCM and your Key module for the proper VIN, the dealer has to install the Stage 1 PCM in your car for a reflash because they only have the tools, (DRBIII), to do it through the OBD2 port under the dash, where Flight Systems has a computer reflash hook up bench/jig that works through the PCM connectors without being in the car.

[dc3_1132]

Originally Posted by Dream4

If not flashed with your VIN, the car will only start up for a few seconds and then cut out as "MeanGreen" stated, This is due to the anti theft module that checks the PCM and your Key module for the proper VIN, the dealer has to install the Stage 1 PCM in your car for a reflash because they only have the tools, (DRBIII), to do it through the OBD2 port under the dash, where Flight Systems has a computer reflash hook up bench/jig that works through the PCM connectors without being in the car.

Ok. Now that makes sense.

Thanks for the infomation guys!!

[dc3_1132]

The Dodge technician at my local dealer won't be there Saturday, so I thought I would call some other dealers and see if I could sneak in to get my used Stage 1 PCM re-flashed. OMG!!

The first one I called there was a young kid that answered the phone that acted like he had no clue what I was asking them to do.

Strike 1

The next dealer I called told me that it CANNOT be done. They said on the performance modules once a VIN has been assigned to them you can't re-assign another VIN.

Strike 2

The third dealer I called told me that they could do it, but it would cost me $125!!

Strike 3. I'm out

I guess I will wait until the Dodge Tech. at my local dealer gets back and have them do it for $50-$60 like they originally told me. Damnit! I was hoping to get this done this weekend.

[Dream4]

Originally Posted by dc3_1132

The Dodge technician at my local dealer won't be there Saturday, so I thought I would call some other dealers and see if I could sneak in to get my used Stage 1 PCM re-flashed. OMG!!

The first one I called there was a young kid that answered the phone that acted like he had no clue what I was asking them to do.

Strike 1

The next dealer I called told me that it CANNOT be done. They said on the performance modules once a VIN has been assigned to them you can't re-assign another VIN.

Strike 2

The third dealer I called told me that they could do it, but it would cost me $125!!

Strike 3. I'm out

I guess I will wait until the Dodge Tech. at my local dealer gets back and have them do it for $50-$60 like they originally told me. Damnit! I was hoping to get this done this weekend.

You are lucky that you even found a dealer that knows that it can be done, most don't know anything about it, my dealer still says that they did not make a Stage 1 for my '05 PT and that I just have a Mopar Stage 1 emblem I found on ebay from a SRT4 owner on my trunk lid!!. Needless to say my car has never been back to the dealer since the first "FREE" oil change, and won't unless it is something I can't handle myself, or at a private garage if it is a big item.

[dc3_1132]

Originally Posted by Dream4

You are lucky that you even found a dealer that knows that it can be done, most don't know anything about it, my dealer still says that they did not make a Stage 1 for my '05 PT and that I just have a Mopar Stage 1 emblem I found on ebay from a SRT4 owner on my trunk lid!!. Needless to say my car has never been back to the dealer since the first "FREE" oil change, and won't unless it is something I can't handle myself, or at a private garage if it is a big item.

LMAO!! Aren't dealerships great!!!

You should have told them, "Yeah, your right, I found that badge at a yardsale."

The dealership that I just bought my DC3 from had NO IDEA what that car was. They just thought is was a turbo PT with a "cool" paintjob.

"Your absolutlely correct, now will you hand over the keys and title please."

[JCsGTPT]

IMHO you could send it to a dlr that "might" know what they are doing or just send it to Flight Systems where you know it will get done right.

I bought a used one, sent it to Flight Sys., paid like $42 COD when it was returned to me and all was done within 2 weeks. Don't settle on a shortcut.

But I am biased. The dlrships I've dealt with here in Northern NJ really suck (3 personal experiences and a 4th that sells perf. parts but wouldn't work on my modded cruiser) at customer service so I have sworn off all dlrs off all together. I'd rather pay out of pocket then have to deal with the BS they lay out to either make your life difficult or to get you to pay for something they don't want to.

[AlexJB]

Originally Posted by dc3_1132

LMAO!! Aren't dealerships great!!!

You should have told them, "Yeah, your right, I found that badge at a yardsale."

The dealership that I just bought my DC3 from had NO IDEA what that car was. They just thought is was a turbo PT with a "cool" paintjob.

"Your absolutlely correct, now will you hand over the keys and title please."

Excelent!
Well done you for pulling the wool over their eyes not vice versa

Most OEM's are the same, I had my Ford dealer call me up saying he was struggling to order the intercooler for my Ford 'Ka' in the UK...
He was struggling because ther muppets were only suposed to be repairing the bodywork and not the mechanicals, Ford don't make a Ka with a turbo, it was completely built by me with parts from a toyota MR2 tubo, ever likely the part numbers didn't show up in the system!

[dc3_1132]

Originally Posted by JCsGTPT

IMHO you could send it to a dlr that "might" know what they are doing or just send it to Flight Systems where you know it will get done right.

I bought a used one, sent it to Flight Sys., paid like $42 COD when it was returned to me and all was done within 2 weeks. Don't settle on a shortcut.

But I am biased. The dlrships I've dealt with here in Northern NJ really suck (3 personal experiences and a 4th that sells perf. parts but wouldn't work on my modded cruiser) at customer service so I have sworn off all dlrs off all together. I'd rather pay out of pocket then have to deal with the BS they lay out to either make your life difficult or to get you to pay for something they don't want to.

Well, that was my first plan was to send my used S1 PCM to Flight Systems, but I have sent two emails and have waited around 2-weeks and haven't recieved a response.

It is kinda hard to have them flash it for me if they won't even respond to an email.

[JCsGTPT]

True. I didn't get any response out of them either but sent it and it was back in 2 weeks. It's not a fly-by-night operation so it is safe to send without hearing from them IMHO.

If you go over to srtforums (sorry don't remember the thread name?) but search on Flight Sys. or Stage 1 reflash (something to that affect) you should find the thread where everybody and his brother (Neon owners) is telling Stephanie that he/she has sent his Stage _ PCM for a reflash....point is they are probably bombarded with reflash requests and are focused on turning them around vs. answering everyone's post.

In the end you gotta do what you are most comfortable with.

[dc3_1132]

The thing is that I don't even know where to send it.

I am going to give my local dealer a shot. They told me that they could do it for me for around $50-$60, and it would only take 30-45 minutes.

If they change their mind, I will HAVE to send it off to Flight Systems.