Possible To Reprogram Dic?

kadams · March 23, 2009

I have a 2005 Sierra 1500 w/ 5.3L. I tow a 6500 lb travel trailer in the summer and would like to keep an eye on my transmission temperature. I have the steering wheel control buttons for the DIC but the DIC doesn't show tranny temp. I've read on here that some do and am wondering if it is a big deal to get the DIC reprogrammed to show tranny temp. My other option is a scan gauge but they're pretty ugly and I would rather have the temp in the DIC. Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

MikeInCtown · March 23, 2009

IIRC the DIC doesn't show trans temps but the guage clusters on the high end SUVs and the HD models have the trans temp guages. There are several people out there who work on the guage clusters who can also upgrade you to a trans temp guage.

kadams · March 23, 2009

Someone on this site was saying that they can cycle through different outputs and that when driving the tranny temp would come up and when in park it would show 'Oil Life Remaining'. That was on a 2008 though so maybe it is a lot different than my 2005, I was hoping that it would be possible to have the dealer reprogram the DIC to include the tranny temp.

Zembonez · March 23, 2009

The DIC on 07 and up models shows oil life and trans temp (at least mine does). I'm not sure if it did before that or not. I have seen it posted in here that some GMT800 trucks had trans temp gauges.

Draenor · March 23, 2009

The DIC on 07 and up models shows oil life and trans temp (at least mine does). I'm not sure if it did before that or not. I have seen it posted in here that some GMT800 trucks had trans temp gauges.

Correct, they have the gauge in the cluster, but not the on the DIC.

I would see why it couldn't be programmed into the BCM. I have never tried.

You would have to have a very friendly dealer to get them to do it, if possible. There are some guys the program replacements, Sleezbay for one.

IMO, as touchy as the '04 clusters are, I would f' with them. Either get one with it, a Scan Gauge, or the like.

C & A s Dad · March 23, 2009

I was in the same boat as you with my 02 Yukon XL. I tow a 6500 lb 29' Camper and just would not accept a "Trans Temp Warning Light" which is programed to come on at 250 degrees. Not knocking the new rectangular shaped scan gauge at all because it will monitor 4 functions at a time. However, I just am not crazy about the appearance and elected to go with a Interceptor by Aeroforce. Here is a link. Scan Gauge. I mounted mine on my "A" Pillar in a pod painted to match my interior. I keep it set to MPG and Trans Temp but it will also monitor approx 24 other functions. It is very simple to install and plugs right into your OBDII port. No programming, no drilling, no tapping, etc.

bill190 · March 24, 2009

So far as reprogramming "circuit board computer" things goes, many times products have the main programming permanently burned into a chip and this programming can't be changed. These chips are less expensive to mass produce than chips which will allow reprogramming.

Things like user settings or adjustments are stored in memory which can be changed.

Then if you could change the programming, you would also need the "source code". This is the programming and it can be hundreds of pages long. Companies as a rule guard this like a hawk and would never release it to the public. But if you could get a copy, it would look similar to the following where they are just trying to display MPG from an OBDII port...

(Scroll down about half way on the following page)

http://www.gassavers.org/archive/index.php...tor/t-5233.html

kadams · March 24, 2009

Thanks for the replies, looks like I'll just get a scan gauge. bill190 - thanks for the research although I have no idea what they were talking about, way over my head. C&A's Dad - where did you get the pod for the A-pillar?

MikeInCtown · March 24, 2009

I was in the same boat as you with my 02 Yukon XL. I tow a 6500 lb 29' Camper and just would not accept a "Trans Temp Warning Light" which is programed to come on at 250 degrees. Not knocking the new rectangular shaped scan gauge at all because it will monitor 4 functions at a time. However, I just am not crazy about the appearance and elected to go with a Interceptor by Aeroforce. Here is a link. Scan Gauge. I mounted mine on my "A" Pillar in a pod painted to match my interior. I keep it set to MPG and Trans Temp but it will also monitor approx 24 other functions. It is very simple to install and plugs right into your OBDII port. No programming, no drilling, no tapping, etc.

That looks really nice. Was that the $240 one? They list a single and dual, but I'm not sure if that relates to the information shown in split screen, or if it means two guages.

C & A s Dad · March 24, 2009

Discostu, my pod is made by Autometer. They come in black and are ready to paint. I used a base primer and then SEM plastic interior paint and have had no issues. It also matched very well. Mine came from a race car supply company in Lexington, KY. Race Car Supply. Nice guy and at the time he had the best price on the Interceptor.

Mike, I paid somewhere just above 200.00 for mine but that has been over 2 years ago. The price you are looking at is for the single gauge with a split screen allowing you to view any 2 of the 25 or so functions it reads. They have made some improvements to the Interceptor since I bought mine but I am not sure what all they have done.

uh6tdrvr · March 28, 2009

if you can find a 2500 or cadillac gauge cluster, the trans tepm gauge on it will work, you will just have to get it reprogrammed if you want the correct mileage