Community Forums

JNSNWT · 12-05-2020, 10:27 AM

I’d like to get your input on ECM Flash file updates. At least that’s what I think they are called. I’m talking about the engine operating parameters that are stored in the ECM.

Recently had WagnerCat. Albuquerque (nice guys) work on my 3126. As part of the work they updated/upgraded my ECM to the latest and greatest version. They couldn’t tell me what parameters were changed in the upgrade but just that it was standard operating procedure to install the latest version on everything that comes into the shop. ☹️

Knowing how bureaucracy and government work I doubt if these changes are in my MPG favor.

So does anybody have a clue what parameters were changed? Or can you send me someplace that I might find my answers?

harleyjt · 12-05-2020, 11:02 AM

I seriously doubt you will find the answer you are looking for. Those parameters are proprietary and not published to the public. Manufacturers commonly issue updates to correct some operating deficiency, or enhance some performance aspect. Any number of reasons the software might be updated. In most cases, it will be transparent to the user, unless the update was performed to correct some existing issue the owner is experiencing.
jt

Rook · 12-05-2020, 12:20 PM

Had the same "up-date" at a Thomson CAT Dealer. Result....I lost the "fast idle" function. Probably "defaulted" to "default" mode and the guy didn't catch it. Wish I knew how to fix that. Rook

CountryB · 12-05-2020, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rook

Had the same "up-date" at a Thomson CAT Dealer. Result....I lost the "fast idle" function. Probably "defaulted" to "default" mode and the guy didn't catch it.
Wish I knew how to fix that. Rook

You take the Coach back to Thomson and say "what the F". Fix what you broke.

Cat · 12-05-2020, 08:27 PM

Many times the software changes were for ghost codes, diagnostic codes that were software issues. Sometimes they were changes to start up parameters. Very very seldom were changes that would effect power or mileage. Those type of changes change the emission standard of the engine and thats a very sensitive area.
But no there is no way for us to know the changes in a software update. Sometimes we would ask about them and ran into a wall of tech layers that were more trouble to try to pierce than it was worth. Safe Travels

2 Stroker · 12-06-2020, 09:22 PM

3 years ago I had a software update on my C-9 at Peterson Cat in Portland and it made a world of difference, it runs 100% better.

2 stroker

slemnah · 12-09-2020, 06:19 AM

If you had a previous printout of the eco parameters you could request the updated printout and simply compare the two. You can also request from CAT the original Dino printout when the engine was built. My C13 parameters have been changed from the original to current. I had a friend that had their C13 updated and their mileage dropped from the 7’s to the 5’s but the update fixed an important internal ecm fix that could have killed his ecm.