What do yall think about having dodge do the most current PCM upgrade for my 2000 dodge ram 5.9 to remove the possible deathflash, I believe this is what they would do right? http://www.dodgeram.info/tsb/2002/18-006-02.htm, as I also have a little surge from 3rd to 4th like it says.

 

I had it done to mine after my hypertech incident. I also had the tranny update. I dont believe doing this flash will get rid of the death flash (it may carry over) and indeed it does raise the shift point (51 for me) for overdrive. Oh, and for some reason my tranny shifts 5 times now I may just have to get someone to hook up one of those reader things and record my shift pattern. Oh and im pretty sure when I have overdrive off, the torque converter is still kicking in. It shifts 4 times with OD off, 5 with it on. I don't tow with my truck... but if I do, ill be sure to take it somewhere to have it checked out. My best guess for the pattern is

OD OFF : 1, 2, 3, 3tq
OD ON : 1, 2, 2tq, 3, 3tq

 

The torque converter is locking up in 3rd and OD. That's why you feel the extra shifts. There are still only 4 gears in there.

 

Actually there is only 3 gears, not four. OD is not a real gear. The torque converter acts as 4th gear when it locks up = OD. That is how my old trans shifted, but with the new one + the update the OP was talking about, I get an extra tq lock up between gears or something was what I tried to explain.

 

so has anybody else done this tranny upgrade to the PCM and recommend it. Also if it doesnt get rid of the death flash then cant I have the dealer update the PCM with the newest version, and it should fix it? Maybe some dealer guys on here might know

 

the only way to fix the death flash is to get a flash from another company as far as I know. Updating your flash from the dealer will not get rid of the death flash as im pretty sure its carried over into the updated software.

 

Question: What is this death flash? It sure dont sound good, Is it something someone with a stock 360 + Superchip needs to worry about?

 

I don't THINK that's correct. I have not taken one apart myself, so I could be wrong.
Here are the gear ratios for 98-01 trans:

Transmission 42RE 46RE 47RE
Order Code DGK DGT DGP
1st Gear 2.74 2.45 2.45
2nd Gear 1.54 1.45 1.45
3rd Gear 1.00 1.00 1.00
4th Gear 0.69 0.69 0.69
R Gear 2.21 2.21 2.21

Auto Trans code breaks down like this:

4 = 4 forward speeds
6 = strength of trans. (1-9, higher number, stronger trans.)
R = Rear wheel drive
H=Hydraulic controlled, E = Electronic controlled shift

Taken from here:
http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/transmission/4xre.htm

1.0 vs. 0.69 would be a lot of slip!

 

The Flashpaq or whatever Superchip tuner you have would have eliminated the death flash if you had it.

Back when the leaking/blown plenum gaskets started to become widespread due to the fact that Dodge bolted a steel plate to an aluminum intake manifold (different heat expansion rates = broken gasket), the engines would start to ping and do other things due to the oil being sucked in through the blown gasket. Rather than recall the engines and fix the problem (lots of $$$$$), Dodge simply "updated" the computer software for the engines with retarded timing. Got rid of the pinging and whatever usually, but side effects were severe power loss, among others.

A Superchips, especially something like the Flashpaq, or a SCT Tuner, or similar would erase the stock computer "death flash" and program it with their own tune.

 

what years did this gasket problem happen? i have a 2001 ram slt laramie 5.2. I havent had any problems to speak of but my motor does seem kind of sluggish. i just thought it was the 4 inch lift... will a venom 400 pcm fix the death flash or do i need to buy a tuner such as the flashpaq?