pcm4less

[rgraboske]

I know there's been a lot of discussion about this on the OS, as well as a little here. They just posted up their Christmas sale, and once again I'm tempted. I know that some have had problems, JD in particular.

Can we do on informal poll of those who have gotten a tune, and your experiences? Thanks in advance

[The Roadie]

One of the first mods I did. Wouldn't be without it. Then I got EFILive software when I had some extra $$ and now I fiddle with it myself. ("It" meaning the tune..... )

[rgraboske]

One of the first mods I did. Wouldn't be without it. Then I got EFILive software when I had some extra $$ and now I fiddle with it myself. ("It" meaning the tune..... )

[fishsticks]

One of the first mods I did. Wouldn't be without it. Then I got EFILive software when I had some extra $$ and now I fiddle with it myself. ("It" meaning the tune..... )

I'm curious what you went for as far as shift firmness, torque management reductions etc...

I think I may take the plunge this time. The sale price is just too good.

[DJones]

I got the PCM4Less a few weeks ago, and driveabilty hasn't really changed at all. I'm almost disappointed.

I do notice the slightly different shift points and a missing rev limiter.

The codes for the fan clutch were supposed to be disabled, but I still have P1481, but I will e-mail Alvin to find out whats going on.

[HARDTRAILZ]

I have shift 2 and no torque management. I love my tune. Shifts are firm and when needed. Throttle is instant. Speedo is as close to gps as the wifes stock g6. Both read 1 or 2 mph off at times. Gained about 1 mpg. I got my new pcm 18 hours from when I ordered since I was in need after cracking tab on mine. I drove some without and can feel the difference when I get back in mine. One of the best mods I have made. Skidplates first though fellas. Put your money in protection first...just sayin...

[rgraboske]

Thanks for the feedback. I already have skids

[Trail X]

I indeed did have a bad experience.

This is a quote from my final email to Kelly outlining my problems:

I've used your PCM tune for about a month and a half so far. As our emails have shown, I've been battling issues in the transmission. These issues have been present during and after any highway driving, especially when ambient temperatures are over 75 or so degrees.

I've had 3 issues, that do not appear to be linked.

First, the 1>2 shift. This seems to be due to an overheating issue in the transmission. As soon as you get off the interstate and require a 1>2 shift, the transmission will pound into 2nd gear, shuddering the vehicle. I know this is not intended and is not good for the transmission. It will continue this poor shifting until the vehicle has been shut off for 10-15 minutes and the transmission cools down.

Second is the issues with the torque converter clutch. The PCM is throwing codes P0894 (Trans component slipping) and P0741 (TC clutch stuck off). These codes have appeared while at highway speeds when the vehicle is coasting. They both appear to have to do with the TCC. It seems at least one other member has seen this same issue with your tune.

The third issue is the speedometer. Despite your reprogramming of the unit, the speedometer still reads around 5 mph below GPS speed when at highway speeds.

Once I swapped back to my stock PCM, the transmission worked fine. Who knows - maybe it was just a bad PCM?

That's just my experience... seems the vast majority of people have had better luck. My only recommendation is to keep your stock PCM available for at least a few months to make sure there are no ill side effects from the tune. Their customer service was pretty good through the whole ordeal, I have to give them that.

[fishsticks]

People never know what to buy me, so they just give me money. Guess what Christmas money went towards.


Better late than never... I swear I feel like I'm on the cutting edge in some places but way behind in others. Although admittedly this isn't much of an "offroad ability" mod in my opinion.



I think my New years resolution is going to be less modding and more slush fund built up for breakages... I KNOW something is going to go on me on the trail. It's just my luck.

[djthumper]

People never know what to buy me, so they just give me money. Guess what Christmas money went towards.

LOL I wish people would just give me money. I keep trying to tell them since they can't afford what I want, and neither can I, just give me the money to put towards it.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Offroad ability is instant throttle with no torque management.

[Trail X]

Maybe this is a noob question, but what is torque management?

[HARDTRAILZ]

Tranny Nanny...

Slippage in the transmission. Many differing opinions on removing all or part. It is supposed to reduce shock load when applying lots of throttle but it causes that hesitation and I want instant throttle when popping up a rock or ledge.

[Diacom]

Tranny Nanny...

Slippage in the transmission. Many differing opinions on removing all or part. It is supposed to reduce shock load when applying lots of throttle but it causes that hesitation and I want instant throttle when popping up a rock or ledge.

Nother question related to this...

Last Thursday while playing in the snow, I noticed that in 4-hi and in first gear my TB would not run above 2k rpm. Is this also a result of the torque management?

[HARDTRAILZ]

Not sure. I don't hardly ever use 4hi. I basically use 4lo or 2wd...rarely auto4 in ice to make the preggo wife feel safer.

[DJones]

I wouldn't think so, because I have went past 3000rpm on 1st gear on 4lo. That is a lot of torque, before the tune.

[Zero]

I agree with JD on the customer service. They are great. But we never could get the speedo to read correctly, and my cruise control doesnt work with the new pcm but works fine with the stock one. I am going to ask them to see if they can swap me a different pcm with my tune on it.

Ive also been over 3000rpm in 1st and second in 4lo

[fishsticks]

My understanding is that torque management in our vehicles is accomplished through retarding the timing and minimizing the opening of the throttle blade until 3000RPM.

With my 4.10 setup, I had so much torque in 4LO that TM seemed like something of a blessing. I'm just tired of sloppy shifts on the highway... and hoping maybe I'll see a mpg or two.

[HARDTRAILZ]

My speedo I right on. I wonder if you need to tell them true size. A 285 is not 33 on a truck usually. I know most jeep owners set there speedo for about 31.2 for jd 255.


I did gain a mpg or two. However this winter fuel is killing me.

[Trail X]

My 255s were exactly 32" when I fit them on. I measured the circumference when mounted.

Either way, the speedometer was always off the same amount - oem and after both of the re-programs that I had. Again - who knows - maybe a bad PCM.

I don't think I'd want to mess with the torque management. It's my experience that the engineers put that stuff in place for some reason or another - normally due to failures in their original testing.