Well, since you asked... LOL

Rumor has it (no one at Chrysler will own up to it) that they did it to try and cut down on warranty claims.

See, obviously, if you break something and bring it in because it is still under warranty and there is an altered PCM they don't have to fix it. But...With the way that the PCM worked, at least in the Chrysler, you just simply plug in the tune tool and do a factory reset. This loads all the factory tuning back into the car (I know, I have one..).

What has the "Mopar" community all pissed is that they can simply test or inspect a failed part and determine if it was faulty or damaged by abuse. So by thinking they're saving money, they are alienating a portion of their fan base. Not good if you ask me..

The emissions rules haven't changed... Actually funny story there as well... Early versions of the Diablosport tuner that I have had a provision to bypass the EGR valve. It would actually mask the fact that it was gone... Many people would go through emission tests then post up the print out showing the EGR reading...All the while the EGR valve was sitting in their closet..... I think the tuner company got some flack over that since that feature is no longer part of their programming.

 

Let's hope this doesn't catch on. Though if it does I suppose guys wanting to tune will either apply a piggyback or a whole different PCM. And revert to factory for I/M or if something blows up.