Parts that require programming at dealer

Your mechanic needs to get OEM tooling /programs and service information for your trucks. The information and tools is not limited to dealers, they are just the ones that are mandated to have them to fully support the brand.

There are a lot more components on a truck that need programming or calibration to install than ever before that’s for sure.

 

Your mechanic can get the software. A friend of mine runs a mix of Cummins and Paccar engines and has the software to recalibrate everything when sensors get replaced. I think his trucks still have to go to the dealer for any software updates though. I’m not sure what all they can do with the software he bought.

 

I’ve worked both sides of the fence. From the independent side it is very expensive to get the programs for only a few times a year. But if you have the work load, it’s the only way to go. Very hard to cover all makes and be universal.

 

It all depends on what systems you are talking about and which manufacture. I remember back in 2008, working on a Prostar with a Cummins & I had to send it out for a simple Forced Regen, Nowadays, most Data Link Style Programs will work to force a regen, however without it forget it. Then International with their BS started hooking up modules for everything from switches on the dash to aftertreatment devices to individual modules and had to be scanned and modifications done by their software.. Nowadays, I'm sure every manufacturer has something on board a truck that needs some kind of specialized tooling, everything from an injector change out and the calibration code to be programmed, to a body control module that unlocks your doors. The way it goes is your truck say came with power locks and windows and another one didnt it wont recognize, or output commands to that particular module or actuator until the programming inside the module is programmed to actually do those functions. Its got to match the VIN and specs of the truck its installed in, and they usually come blank. You MAY get lucky installing a used one exactly the same but they are getting pickier and pickier... Trial and Error, but I'd Say Year 2002 would be the year that things started getting difficult.