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owen
Dodge Dakota
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2/12/2008
16:09:12
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 Subject: death flash
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i own a 1999 dakota ext. cab 4x4 318cid. bought it used already had 100,000 miles on it and now has 194,000. this truck has no low-end power at all, doesn't start developing power till about 3,000 rpm. just wanted to know if it may have had the "death flash"...could i get a junkyard computer??? would it need to be flashed by the dealer with my vin and mileage??? and if i wanted to swap a used 360 would it be worth it at this high mileage? take any advice i can get...
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Josh
Dodge Dakota
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2/12/2008
20:27:42
| RE: death flash
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Given it a tune-up and new fluids and filters lately?
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OBIO3
Dodge Dakota
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2/16/2008
21:53:41
| RE: death flash
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I believe if it has been flashed the PCM will have a yellow sticker on it
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owen
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2008
09:16:57
| RE: death flash
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thank you for the responce OB103. do you know if a junkyard computer would have to be flashed to my truck or just slap her in there???
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Kowalski
GenIII
2/17/2008
11:22:47
| RE: death flash
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While I've seen that 4.7 PCMs may run okay without having the vin # flashed, those with the 5.2 (318) generally recomend it. Maybe you should respond to Josh's question, and check how much ignition advance you have, before jumping to the conclusion you have the death flash though. There were many other flash updates done, all of which should have their info on a sticker on the PCM, which were not the death flash too.
Lead, follow, or get out of the way
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owen
Dodge Dakota
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2/17/2008
16:28:56
| RE: death flash
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have done several tune ups. latest one i installed autolite xp5224 iridium spark plugs , 5w-50 synthetic oil , accel cap /rotor with brass contacts. don't know how to check how much advance i have, can you tell me how??? haven't changed fuel filter because there is no hesitation and throttle responce is not an issue it just doesn't hit its power band till 3000 rpm.
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Super bee
GenI
2/18/2008
10:04:04
| RE: death flash
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it has almost 200k on it, i woulndt expect a great performer
1990 sport RC SB, 1995 318drivetrain, 3.92 gears (came with truck) Powertrax "traction system", 95 dash/steering wheel, hearthrob exhaust, headers, cutout after y-pipe, necessary electric fan add-a-leafs, 30x9.5 mud tires, cranked T-bars, AR 39 15x8 rims, grill guard, roll bars
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daddio
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2008
10:45:35
| RE: death flash
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owen, have you modified the intake or exhaust in any way? or changed to a larger tire lately?
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owen
Dodge Dakota
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2/18/2008
17:19:18
| RE: death flash
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no exhaust or tire size change, but i did change the intake gasket because i have always had a spark knock problem and that seems to be cured. does have a lot of miles on it so i was thinking of swapping a low-miles 360 in it's place just don't know if it's worth the trouble... i just want it to run like a dodge!!!
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sam
Dodge Dakota
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2/29/2008
22:28:15
| RE: death flash
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If you want to get a used pcm and are wondering if it will work-it will. The only thing that will stop you is if the donor vehicle is equipped with the factory anti-theft. If it is not just plug it in and it will run. The vin numbers will not cause it to not start but may cause an ABS light with a "VIN mismatch" code. It has been a while but I have been able to rewrite the VIN into a used pcm by way of the drb3 but the software may have been changed since then so I am not sure as of now. The mileage can always be overwritten and is not really important as it is just there to compensate for wear on the sensors and such. The "deathflash" stickers are not a good indicator because many techs do not install the flash stickers on the pcms but instead install them on the body of the vehicle.
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owen
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2008
17:51:22
| RE: death flash
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thanks for the info sam ... i'm gonna give it a shot and see what happens ...
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fasstdak
Dodge Dakota
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3/01/2008
18:54:24
| RE: death flash
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The "death flash" has been superceded several times since it came out (4 years ago). It doesn't retard the timing as it once did and performance isn't affected as some still think.
As for the mileage within the PCM...it's primarily there for catalytic efficiency (monitors). As the cat's deteriorate over time, the PCM can slightly compensate for that change. You can easily change the mileage in the PCM with almost any real scantool or just reset the Catalytic Converter timer.
As for performance degrading as noted...have those heads checked out carefully as I have yet to see a set of heads on a 3.9/5.2/5.9L engine (with over 100K miles) without cracks inbetween one or two sets of valves. What about the O2 sensor(s)...have they been changed yet (they really kill performance after 65-70K miles as they do degrade over time).
Main "fix" for the detonation issue - one step colder on the plugs, a cooler t'stat, and run a quality mid-grade (octane) fuel. Don't bother with any octane boosters in the stock compression 3.9/5.2/5.9L engines as it's just pouring money down the drain. If it's "pinging"...it's doing it for a reason - don't cover it up with a bandaid.
As for the 360 swap - not a problem at all. Just make sure you grab the 5.9L balancer and flex-plate/TQ converter assembly. The 5.2 and 5.9L engines are balanced different and the 5.2L balancer and flex-plate/TQ converter will cause serious harmonic issues on the 5.9L.
On the VIN change with a DRB, sorry...only the engineering DRB's can change the VIN. The dealership DRB's have that function disabled in the software revisions. If you changed the VIN, it probably was never written in the first place.
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TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2008
13:25:23
|  RE: death flash
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I THOUGHT the 'death flash' was a 4.7 thing.
He has a 5.2.
FASSTDAK says 4 years ago. Would this apply to a 5.2f? Fasstdak, Isn't that that Bernd guy?
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owen
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2008
17:43:36
| RE: death flash
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thanks fasstdak... i try to run mid-grade or premium fuel as much as possible and i definately notice a lack of performance when i burn economy. just recently changed my intake gasket and haven't had the spark knock problem since... when i purchased my dakota it had 100,000 miles on it and had a new exhaust from the manifolds to the tailpipe so i ruled out a catalytic converter problem early... still really leaning towards the 360 swap just want my truck to run like a dodge!!!
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fasstdak
Dodge Dakota
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3/04/2008
19:26:20
| RE: death flash
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There is also a "Death Flash" that came out for the 4.7L. It has also been superceded by a better revision.
Yes...from the intake reseal comment he made, it's pretty obvious that he has an older V8 (not a 4.7L).
I'm at the end of a 5.9L conversion on my '97 V6/5SPD. Only thing missing is a flywheel (manual transmission on mine) which is a PITA to find in good condition. I've got everything else all ready - just waiting on that last piece for the engine balancing.
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