The computer on my 07' dodge ram diesel dually took a dump ($5000+ thank you Chrysler stealership!!) and when I went to re-install the bully triple dog e3 program back into the new computer it wouldn'tt load. I called bully dog up and the tech told me that the loader was married to the computer that had failed and it was now a $500+ paperweight however they were kind enough to offer me a $40 discount on the new model they replaced mine with! I think this is total bunk, I bought that programmer when I bought the truck, used it once and it sat in its case since and they should be able to unlock it in the event that the vehicles computer fails but as it was explained to me (in a rather condescending tone) that this is how they protect themselves from owner's sharing their programmers and costing them customers! Well that has failed as I'll never buy another of their products again nor will I refer them to anyone!Red Green: There's only two things that excite a man, expensive toys and real expensive toys.

I am guessing your old computer contained what is what you call "tunes"?Curious what advantage did you get over the stock programming? Asking off topic questions but had to ask someone who had one.Thanks

I have never been a big fan of Bully Dog for diesels or canned tunes in general.Custom tunes from devices like EFILive, MM3, or EzLynk are my preferences.

That is pretty much par for the course. That tuner is married to that single ECM until the moment it is uninstalled. Sucks in your situation but that is how every major tuner manufacturer insures one tuner cannot program an infinite amount of engines.

You download the 'program' from your tuner replacing the OEM stock programYEP......only can be on ONE vehicle at a time. Your NEW PCM is same as another vehicle.Bully Dog is NOT the only 'programmer' set up that waySame restrictions apply to Smarty and othersProprietary Property Did you try to remove/go back to stock on your old PCM ?Seems like that old adage appliesGotta pay to play.

As far as I know all programs work the same way. But many times they offer a lower cost option to unlock the tuner. It sounds like you have a tuner they no longer supported.

Bully Dog Rip Off! | Good Sam Community

30 Replies

Walaby
Explorer II
Nov 16, 2018
MPI_Mallard wrote:
Again I appreciate all the opinions and help from you guys, I'm going to give them a call, perhaps I just got a pissy employee that day! Your right about the cost of the pcm opposed to the tuner but these days with money being what it is I like to get my value from what I buy and a single use fro that tool seemed kinda' lousy
!

Hope you'll come back and let us know how it goes.

Just a different perspective, but if you think about it, you got years of use from that tool. The tune it installed was used daily.. that's what you're really paying for. The tool is just the mechanism for you to implement their tune.

Mike
mich800
Explorer
Nov 15, 2018
crcr wrote:
When I bought my truck used 4 yrs ago, it had a Bully Dog programmer on it. I don't remember all the details now, but I removed it and with the help of Bully Dog tech support, got my truck ECM back to stock, plus the Bully Dog tuner reset, and sold it on ebay for almost $500. From reading this thread, guess I was very fortunate ...

Not applicable. The OP no longer hase the computer. Ideally they would have done exactly the same you you did. Not fortunate, that is the way it is supposed to work.
MPI_Mallard
Explorer
Nov 15, 2018
Again I appreciate all the opinions and help from you guys, I'm going to give them a call, perhaps I just got a pissy employee that day! Your right about the cost of the pcm opposed to the tuner but these days with money being what it is I like to get my value from what I buy and a single use fro that tool seemed kinda' lousy
!
crcr
Explorer
Nov 14, 2018
When I bought my truck used 4 yrs ago, it had a Bully Dog programmer on it. I don't remember all the details now, but I removed it and with the help of Bully Dog tech support, got my truck ECM back to stock, plus the Bully Dog tuner reset, and sold it on ebay for almost $500. From reading this thread, guess I was very fortunate ...
philh
Explorer II
Nov 14, 2018
As stated above, the invoice from your dealer should get you the reset code for free or limited cost. I know Diablo does it for free.
Super_Dave
Explorer
Nov 14, 2018
Ozlander wrote:
MPI_Mallard wrote:
I unfortunately I'm at the mercy of the dealership!

You're never at the mercy of the stealer. There's good mechanics around.

Would a computer from a pick and pull been an option?
Ozlander
Explorer
Nov 14, 2018
MPI_Mallard wrote:
I unfortunately I'm at the mercy of the dealership!

You're never at the mercy of the stealer. There's good mechanics around.
blownstang01
Explorer
Nov 14, 2018
I would call Bully Dog again and ask for a manager and explain the situation. It's entirely possible you got someone the first time who doesn't quite know what they can do. You may also find that the manager can explain the situation better if the unit is out-dated or some other reason it can't be unmarried from the original PCM. I have never dealt with them in particular, but every other one I've dealt with (mostly SCT) they can un-marry the tuner for a nominal fee. It wouldn't hurt to call again and get clarification. On another note, I hope you don't take this as being snarky but I would be a lot more pissed at paying 5K for a new PCM than the pennies in comparison to the tuner.
transamz9
Explorer
Nov 13, 2018
MPI_Mallard wrote:
I appreciate all the responses and opinions and it should be known that I'm not a gear-head and unfortunately I'm at the mercy of the dealership! This whole ordeal from the get-go has been horrible, we had to return the truck to the dealership three times for them to get things fixed only to arrive in Florida with a check engine light/AC compressor crapping out but as they say "we flew, we jumped , we lived" but as far as the bully dog is concerned I just felt only being able to use it once was ****, I wasn't expecting anything new and was fine with the program it originally had but the snotty attitude of the kid at bull dog who by the way didn't even mention that I could have gotten it re-opened for a price really put a sour note on that company and I will find another one to replace them!

Red Green: If life gives you lemons, throw 'em
into a quart of vodka.

Make sure you have the engine clutch fan checked. 1 of the biggest causes of the A/C pump to blow on you model truck. The computer controls the high side pressure with the engine cooling fan. It will not shut the compressor down because of high pressure, only low pressure. :W
Grit_dog
Navigator
Nov 13, 2018
Honestly, I'd take another stab at getting your tuner unlocked again. Bully dog can have a bad employee just like anyone.
If you want to name drop, the tech tat helped me a couple times when my tuner had issues was Chris...maybe it'll help.
Otherwise you could probably pick up a used Smarty Jr for a few hundred. Make sure it's not vin locked. IE, make the seller wait until you load it before getting his benjammins.