Added Factory Tow Mirrors to 2020, can AlfaOBD add the sales code or is a dealer trip required? = Solved

[SLR]

Hi All,
New member here, but long time Ram owner. I recently bought a 2020 Tradesman 2500, trading in the 2016 2500.
The truck didn't have tow mirrors, so I ordered the factory parts. Everything bolted right up, but of course my mirror turn signals and puddle lights don't work because the truck lacks the sales code.
I hadn't heard of AlfaOBD before, but ran across info on this forum when looking into adding LED lights. Will the AlfaOBD system allow me to add the LEB and LEC sales codes needed for the additional mirror functions?
The dealer is an option, but will cost an hour labor. I'd rather buy the Alfa and be able to add additional items in the future if it will work for the mirrors.
Looking for some guidance from those that have experience with the Alfa programmer.
Thanks in advance!
SLR

 

[Brutal_HO]

AlfaOBD can pretty much enable any sales codes.

I do see many "Door - xxx Present." options listed.

It may also require some wiring.

Reach out to @Jimmy07 he can help with the wiring needed if that's the case.

If you're going to start adding options, I'd strongly suggest investing in AlfaOBD and the KAOdTECH bypass cable, and a good OBDII reader (OBDLink LX or MX+ recommended).

 

[SLR]

Thanks for the reply Brutal_HO. I found the thread for the AlfaOBD requirements and saved the links for what I'll need, but couldn't find anything regarding mirrors / specific sales codes. It's great to hear it can do so much as I'd like to add a couple more features over time. I'll order the bypass cable and other items needed.
The mirrors plugged into the exiting door modules. Standard heat, adjustment, and outside temperature are working as normal. There was one additional plug on the drivers side tow mirror and two additional on the passenger side tow mirror.
I can't for the life of me figure out why a dealer would spec out a truck to have the trailer brake control, but not tow mirrors. I'm glad they're on now, but they were about $500 for the pair with brackets and rivnuts vs. the $195 factory option.

 

[yarnellm]

SLR, I have the tow mirrors ordered thru my dealer now. Good to know yours fit correctly. My 2019 has fifth wheel prep, trailer brake controller, 4.10 rear axle and the plug for the trailer camera but no towing mirrors! I think the dealers must just check options willy nilly for trucks ordered for dealer stock.

 

[SLR]

Yarnellm,
Wow, that's crazy! Whoever placed the orders must not have ever pulled a trailer of any size. The lack of tow mirrors on mine was my only gripe.
What I found when installing them was the driver side door frame already had the rivnuts installed for the reinforcement bracket while the passenger side didn't. The rivnuts come four in a pack and I had an installation tool left over from my EZ down tailgate strut that I used to install them. The tow mirrors are a lot heavier and I'd recommend using the $9 reinforcement brackets. It only took minutes to install the mirrors.
I ordered the Alfa OBD tools last night and hopefully can get the turn signals / puddle lights on soon.

 

[LateToTheParty]

Whoever placed the orders must not have ever pulled a trailer of any size.

I think this really sums it up. When I was scouring inventory across the US while looking for a truck that had the options I wanted, there was a significant pattern that appeared. Just about every truck that hit enough of my criteria to investigate further included either:

• Quick Order packages with nothing else
• Fully loaded with every available option at a particular trim level

For the few that came close enough to trigger me to start a conversation with a sales rep, I believe each sales rep mentioned how that package was what sold best in their particular market segment. I usually believe about 10% of what a sales rep tells me, but did ask and confirm the same sentiment from a long-time sales/finance/mgmt family member within another brand, and a friend in fleet sales with FCA.

Throughout my process, the only person I came in contact with who even drove a Ram was the finance guy, who allegedly just purchased a 2012 1500 just days prior (this was 3 months ago).

I'm sure there are some personnel within the dealer network who do actually use an HD truck as intended, but would venture to guess that those people are few and far between.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

The fact that they even sell an hd truck without them is ridiculous it should be standard

 

[kristof]

I found this stiff that can be enabled. But I'm not sure these are the ones you should enable.

 

[SLR]

Thanks Kristof! I downloaded the Alfa OBD android app, ordered the MX and bypass cable last night. I'll look for the ones you show. Is it straight forward to find them? I plan to watch some videos to come up to speed on the software.

 

[kristof]

Thanks Kristof! I downloaded the Alfa OBD android app, ordered the MX and bypass cable last night. I'll look for the ones you show. Is it straight forward to find them? I plan to watch some videos to come up to speed on the software.

I just went down the list and found them . If you have the app you can check it out right now

 

[Brutal_HO]

Search was added to the Android app (was already on Windows), so it's pretty easy to find stuff now instead of scrolling forever.

 

[b307a1]

AlfaOBD can pretty much enable any sales codes.

I do see many "Door - xxx Present." options listed.

It may also require some wiring.

Reach out to @Jimmy07 he can help with the wiring needed if that's the case.

If you're going to start adding options, I'd strongly suggest investing in AlfaOBD and the KAOdTECH bypass cable, and a good OBDII reader (OBDLink LX or MX+ recommended).

Ok Brutal, what do you recommend and where to get them?
I have absolutely no idea of what they even look like let alone how to use them! I figure I can learn.
I am toying with the idea of replacing my tow mirrors with ones that have the power fold feature.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Ok Brutal, what do you recommend and where to get them?

What do you mean? Items for alfaOBD or mirrors?
Can't help on the mirrors.

AlfaOBD site. Android app is in the Play Store.
KAOdTECH
OBDLink LX

I have absolutely no idea of what they even look like let alone how to use them! I figure I can learn.
I am toying with the idea of replacing my tow mirrors with ones that have the power fold feature.

 

[b307a1]

What do you mean? Items for alfaOBD or mirrors?
Can't help on the mirrors.

AlfaOBD site. Android app is in the Play Store.
KAOdTECH
OBDLink LX

Ok, reading a whole lot of greek on the Alfaobd site! Are the alfaOBD AND OBDlink LX devices that can be purchased or do they need to be uploaded on my android?

 

[LateToTheParty]

Ok, reading a whole lot of greek on the Alfaobd site! Are the alfaOBD AND OBDlink LX devices that can be purchased or do they need to be uploaded on my android?

AlfaOBD is an app you download to either your mobile device or Windows laptop.
OBDLink is a dongle to plug into your OBD port in the truck
The post you quoted includes links directly to the products that Brutal mentioned.

 

[Brutal_HO]

Ok, reading a whole lot of greek on the Alfaobd site! Are the alfaOBD AND OBDlink LX devices that can be purchased or do they need to be uploaded on my android?

AlfaOBD is software you get form the play store for Android. Don't worry about the website if you're just going to use it on Android.
OBDLink is an OBDII reader that plugs into the OBD port and connecte Bluetooth to the Android device.
KAOdTECH is a security gateway bypass module cable that plugs into the CAN bus headers in the truck and also connects to the OBD port.

Best to review the AlfaOBD threads here for other particulars so this thread isn't derailed with AlfaOBD quesitons, especially how to make sure you have a copy of the original BCM settings (log) file before you make any changes.

 

[b307a1]

AlfaOBD is software you get form the play store for Android. Don't worry about the website if you're just going to use it on Android.
OBDLink is an OBDII reader that plugs into the OBD port and connecte Bluetooth to the Android device.
KAOdTECH is a security gateway bypass module cable that plugs into the CAN bus headers in the truck and also connects to the OBD port.

Best to review the AlfaOBD threads here for other particulars so this thread isn't derailed with AlfaOBD quesitons, especially how to make sure you have a copy of the original BCM settings (log) file before you make any changes.

Brutal, thanks a heap for your help. I will try to figure it out.

 

[b307a1]

AlfaOBD is an app you download to either your mobile device or Windows laptop.
OBDLink is a dongle to plug into your OBD port in the truck
The post you quoted includes links directly to the products that Brutal mentioned.

A dongle? never heard of it......sounds like something that you would buy at a porno shop. So, I take it that I need to purchase the OBDLink and KAOdTECH cable?

 

[LateToTheParty]

A dongle? never heard of it......sounds like something that you would buy at a porno shop. So, I take it that I need to purchase the OBDLink and KAOdTECH cable?

Yes. You will need the physical OBDLink (or competitor's product) adapter/plug/dongle/thingamajig/doohickey that plugs into your OBD port.

You will then need the phsyical KAODTech (or another manufacturers) security bypass cable to allow the software to communicate to your BCM.

You then need the AlfaOBD software in order to send the information through the OBD port, using the security bypass and saving your changes to your BCM.

 

[Eatonpcat]

A dongle?

Dongle - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org