Dodge advised us {that a} current case of denied guarantee protection on a Challenger SRT Hellcat wasn’t fairly what the shopper described
by Stephen Rivers
Could 13, 2023 at 13:20
by Stephen Rivers
A Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Jailbreak buyer claimed that the automaker denied a $36,000 guarantee declare for a blown motor over a muffler modification. Dodge simply gave us its aspect of the story and it seems that it has ramifications for all Hellcat homeowners. Tuning the PCM leaves a everlasting mark.
Final week, the aforementioned Dodge proprietor, Brennon Vinet, went to Fb to assert that he was denied guarantee protection over a “mid muffler” delete. His assertion was really way more damning. “If you happen to get a mid muffler [sic] delete on a Dodge automobile it voids the guarantee finish of story,” he stated.
Vinet claimed he was denied a full printed report on the scenario surrounding his automobile so we reached out to Dodge on to get a greater understanding of what had occurred. At first, they advised us that tampering with any emission management machine may find yourself inflicting a denial of protection relying on what the problem is.
Extra: Dodge Denies Guarantee Protection For New Hellcat Jailbreak Over PCM Tampering, Leaves Proprietor With $36K Restore Invoice
We dug somewhat deeper asking Dodge to substantiate what emission management machine was tampered with on this occasion. In spite of everything, there may very well be a case for denial if the muffler adjustments affected emissions. It flatly pointed to the truth that it believes Vinet tuned his Hellcat.
“The guarantee declare was rejected after a Stellantis Calibration Engineer ran Powertrain Management Module (PCM) diagnostics and confirmed that the automobile’s PCM was tampered with and contained non-factory software program,” a Dodge spokesperson advised us. “I haven’t seen something on our finish concerning mufflers (ie not the problem),” he added.
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How Can Dodge Inform If You Tuned Your Automotive?
That had us questioning how precisely it confirmed that somebody tuned the automobile. The identical spokesperson advised us the next:
“[The] Seller ran numerous diagnostic exams, together with a scan report on the automobile’s Powertrain Management Module (PCM). Scan report discovered PCM to have non-factory settings (unauthorized software program put in). Stellantis Powertrain Service Middle supervisor was requested by the supplier to evaluate the case. Scan report was despatched to Stellantis Powertrain Service Middle for evaluation. Knowledge was checked and confirmed by Stellantis powertrain engineering to be non-factory software program. Declare was rejected for PCM and emissions tampering.”
In order that places to mattress any query about whether or not or not Vinet’s automobile was tuned however what if he’d reflashed manufacturing unit software program again onto the PCM earlier than bringing it to the supplier? Evidently, Dodge’s PCM will set an inner flag or code if it’s ever tampered with.
“If the PCM is tampered with, however returned to unique, the PCM will retain a code indicating it was tampered with.” So the lesson is obvious. You probably have a Dodge product, tune at your personal threat. As quickly as one journeys that flag it possible takes them out of the working for guarantee repairs on injury that happens as the results of tuning.
