Ken,

I got back my Predator from Diablo today. They did the re program. It comes with a little instruction sheet that says to go to "Options", scroll to get "Troubleshooting", Scroll to "Fail Safe", Then "Continue". Then the Device gives you a series of letters and numbers that you have to call in to Diablo while your in the truck and then Brian in turn gave me a code to punch in to activate it for my truck. That all worked great. I first programmed it to "Tow Mode" to start. Truck had great power just like the previous 40 Horse tune. I noticed ALOT more dark smoke on acceleration than it did before with the old program. Mash it down about half throttle and I could really see alot of smoke in the cars headlights behind me on the freeway, Granted, it was dark so I am going to see how it also looks in the day light. I then re programmed it for the 60 Horse setting and now it smokes even more on half to 3 quarter throttle. The reason I bring this up and wanted your input is because the old programs didnt smoke near as bad as the new one does. I do not have my gauges hooked up yet to see how egts were either. I have never used the 80 or 100 horse setting and Im easy on my truck in the 60 horse until I get the gauges hooked up. Before in tow Mode it would hardly smoke at all and now it DUMPS to the point where Im concerned. Did they increase the fuel map for lower EGTs maybe? Whats your advice. I love the power and it runs smooth just like before but it smokes ALOT!!!

 

Couple of questions:

What cetane rating is your fuel? Are you running with an aftermarket exhaust or intake?

 

Hi Ken.

Stock intake. Stock Exhaust. Basic Diesel #2 from same gas station Ive used forever(Chevron, they go thru alot of Diesel thier). Like I mentioned, I am very easy on it and only really use the 40 horse program till I can moniter it closer. The reason I ask about the smoke now is because under the exact same set up it smokes WAY more then it did before I got the re program. I know an aftermarket intake will help with the smoke, Im just trying to compare the old program with the new one and we have alot more smoke under the same set up on my truck. Why more smokey smokey? (truck has 23k and has been serviced recently so thats all up to snuff, new fuel filter, oil etc....) thanks

 

Ken,

Just an update .....

I ran the tow program all day. Getting on freeways and such with the throttle only half way dumping HUGE clouds out the back. So now Im thinking somehow I must have a crappy tank of fuel or something is not right. I normally avg. 16.8 mpg with the truck stock. With the old two tune or 60horse tune I averaged 17.8. Yesterday with the new tow program I averaged 14.4!
I put it back to stock last night with the same fuel still. It ran perfect with no smoke at all on 1/2 to 3/4 throttle.

 

Just when i was ready to order a predator....lol...

 

The new programs give more power than the old, with better EGTs on average. In some cases, depending on fuel and altitude, you may need a better breathing intake system in order to get the fuel burnt. Make sure you're running a cetane rating of 45 or better, this will make a HUGE difference.

 

First,

Seattle is at sea level, and not one gas station in the greater Seattle area have any idea what their Cetane level is. Ive tried this at every gas station I stop at. All I am doing is comparing what it was and what it is now, no other changes have been made on the truck. My BIG question is: Is the new program possibly making it smoke that much? Its so much when I get on it that its embarrasing......I had a few people giving me weird looks, like something was wrong with the truck.
Is the new program set up to Dump more fuel? Am I safe to run with it, is it "possible" the programmer is not quite right?

PS. Dont forget my fuel mileage took a dump too.

 

Got my Predator for my 2002 PSD and they forgot to give me an instruction sheet. So mine gives me an error saying that I already have it programed...even though I returned it to stock before I sent it in. Sounds like I can get that resolved with a phone call to Brian at PDQ on Monday.

I'm at High Altitude...so I am axious to see how the new programs with work- especially the High Altitude program.

Scott, I wonder if it is the same code...hmm. I wish I would have tried it sooner, I've had it since Wed, but just tried to reprogram.

 

2002x,
You should have got a little instruction sheet (see my very first note above.) I assume you got yours re programmed... Step 1: Plug the tool in and go to options menue. Step 2: Scroll down and select troubleshooting. Step3: Scroll down and select Fail Safe, the Predator will say "This menu is for experts only" Press Continue. Step 4: The next screen will say: "Your Key is" with a series of letters and numbers. Step5: Call Diablo at 561 908 0040 with the key number on the screen while the Predator is actually plugged in to the truck to complete the process.

This was the exact instruction sheet I recieved from them. Brian at Diablo then gave me a code to punch in using the arrow keys and then I was set to use the programs. Except now my truck scares people with all the smoke Im having exit the exhaust....Anyway you wont be able to call them till they are open (MOnday) thats a bummer......hope this helps and I hope your re program works better then mine did. I loved it with the original program................

 

Ken.

I ran the truck all weekend in tow mode. Most of my fuel still comes out the exhaust.....I got worse the 14mpg! Can or should I send this back to have Diablo look at it. Please help....The power isnt much better either, it feels like its bogging out. I put it back to original this morning on the way to work and it ran perfect again. Went about 50 miles, half in town half freeway and got 17.8mpg stock.

Scott

 

Give us a shout and we'll take care of it. I can also email some tunes that I use all the time for you to load into it.

 

Ken -

I just got my updated Predator back today, and I think something is goofed up.

I installed the 60 hp tune, which I had been using since I originally bought it. It was AWFUL - way slower than stock. It would basically do nothing when I tried to pass at around 50 mph. I think it was actually slower than my old junky Chebby 6.2 - it was that bad!

I even went back to stock to see if I wasn't being too picky. Stock was just better.

After that, I installed the 85 horse option which worked great.

Any ideas?

Also, I'd like to see some of those tunes, could you email them?

Thanks and Merry Christmas!!

 

Looks like there may be a pattern here with a small number of users. What is the PCM code of the truck (driver's side door frame near hinges)? Did you restore the truck to 100% stock tune before sending it to Diablo?

 

Oppy,

It would be interesting to see what your ecm code is compared to mine. Ken, My sticker is not by the hinge. How do I get to the ecm number on the unit.? Once I find it I will post it. Oppy, the power was not great on mine either but I smoked alot too. Do you have any smoke issues? I loved my Predator, I just want it to work the way it did before....

 

Can't seem to find the PCM code - there's a small sticker on the front of the door near the upper hinge, but it's illegible. Is there any other way to find the code?

Yes, I restored the stock program before I returned the Predator.

I'm glad to hear at least I'm not the only one that's having problems.

One other thing I noticed is that you can't change the transmission type anymore even though it's still one of the menu options. Before the update was done, I was able to change it for my ZF6.

How are custom tunes loaded - do I just pick up a serial cable and use Hyper Terminal?

scotth - no smoke, but no cajones either.

Thanks Ken!