Community Forums

RCtime · 12-27-2009, 09:49 AM

The 1st of the year I do my maintenance, oil, lube, filters etc.
Quinn Caterpiller offers a reflash and download of the latest software, also a print out of your engines operating paremeters ,history.
I have had my 2002 3126 Cat. and my Winny now for just over 2 years and it has performed well although I have no idea if it has the latest software installed. Quinn offers this service for $107.00
The only changes I have noticed is that the wait to start light no longer illuminates unless the temps. are somewhere 50 deg. or lower. Then it lights up as the intake grid heaters do their thing.
Even when the light does not light up I have no starting issues.
Do they actually have to do the download to see if the latest software is installed?
I am very tempted to have this done, although obviously I could live without it. More than likely software changes have been made since my engine was put in its freightliner chassis.
Anyone else done this?
If so are there some questions I might ask the techs prior to having it done and are there any worthwhile changes to be made?

Cat · 03-20-2010, 09:35 PM

They will have to hook up a laptop and use a program called ET to your engine. They need to see what software is in your ECM. Once they find out out what software you have in the engine ECM they then can check and see if there are any updates to the software. Downloading the information and codes is very easy and fast. I know there have been improvements to the software for the C7 and 3126 for cold weather starting so it might be worth the $.

Chuck 1935 · 03-20-2010, 11:23 PM

I spoke with the tech about the $107. service and determined that I would not benefit from it.

Vegasdan · 03-21-2010, 10:43 AM

[QUOTE=RCtime;582666]The only changes I have noticed is that the wait to start light no longer illuminates unless the temps. are somewhere 50 deg. or lower. Then it lights up as the intake grid heaters do their thing.
Even when the light does not light up I have no starting issues.

The wait to start light doesn't light up above 50 degrees, you can start your engine right away.

Avalondanes · 03-21-2010, 11:27 AM

RCtime,
Most Cat dealers will hook up to your ECM and give you a print out for free, it tells you all the existing paramenters and any codes, hours, etc. They will tell you how many updates there have been since yours was flashed. The $107 is for one hour labor, standard charge for ECM flash.

Richard

smlranger · 03-22-2010, 07:44 PM

I've wondered about this issue myself. I figure my 3126 is running on whatever ECM software was installed when the engine was built. However, mine runs like a top and I just had my first engine oil analysis done at Speedco and it revealed that everything was good to go. I figure I will have it done if I ever need to have a CAT shop work on the motor for anything.