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Dodge Ram Problems
jwg_aggie03
Member Posts: 6
I bought my Ram 2500 4x4 diesel the last day of
march so I've had it about 7 months and have
almost 23,000 miles on it. A little over a month ago, my wheels started to get stiff when I was at slow speeds or stopped. Now, especially when stopped, they don't turn at all. I took it to a local Dodge dealer to get it fixed and they replaced everything but the steering wheel and the linkage, still the problem persists. Chrysler now tells me that it is a normal condition aggravated by my one size bigger than stock tires and my aftermarket bumper, and they won't fix it any further, sounds like an excuse to get out of fixing it. Now my question, is anyone experiencing these kind of problems, and how do I go about getting this resolved. I have already returned the tires to stock size and no changes were noticed, but Chrysler still won't deal with it.
Jon
march so I've had it about 7 months and have
almost 23,000 miles on it. A little over a month ago, my wheels started to get stiff when I was at slow speeds or stopped. Now, especially when stopped, they don't turn at all. I took it to a local Dodge dealer to get it fixed and they replaced everything but the steering wheel and the linkage, still the problem persists. Chrysler now tells me that it is a normal condition aggravated by my one size bigger than stock tires and my aftermarket bumper, and they won't fix it any further, sounds like an excuse to get out of fixing it. Now my question, is anyone experiencing these kind of problems, and how do I go about getting this resolved. I have already returned the tires to stock size and no changes were noticed, but Chrysler still won't deal with it.
Jon
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Jon
I have the same truck as you. I got mine in April. I haven't experienced the problem you describe, but I did have steering problems from day one. I had the track bar and steering box replaced before the wandering and slop in my steering was eliminated. Has your steering box been replaced? Dodge has had a lot of problems with the boxes on our Cummins trucks. The TDR website would be a good place to check for others' experiences, although I haven't seen your problem discussed there yet. Another possibility may be the power steering pump.
Jon
I got a call Friday from my Dodge dealer. After hearing a progressive ping/rattle upon acceleration, I decided to take my 99 Ram Quad Cab in for service. The service tech called me and told me that they've been running into "factor defects" and the intake manifold gasket was never installed on my truck and if I had driven it any longer, I risked ruining the engine. At the same time, they said the valves were ruined (claimed factory defect again) along with the catalytic converter...I think I've had one Dodge experience too many.
SD
Since you can't steer at slow speeds, it seems clear to me that you have no functioning power steering. Were all of the power steering lines replaced? Or did they just replace maybe one and the pump. Maybe the new pump is defective - a long shot, but not impossible. Did they remember to put fluid in the new pump?
I'm assuming it's an '00 or '01 and still under warranty. If so, make sure they fix it before the warranty is up. Other possible actions for you would be to make a scene with the sales manager that sold you the truck, go to a different dealer, or contact Dodge directly to complain. If you've returned the tires to stock, then you've eliminated that theory for them, and unless you hung a Yugo on the front for a bumper, that can't be the problem either. My translation of the "it's normal" response is that what they really mean is, "we don't have a clue, and we're too lazy to find the solution". I'd try another dealer for a fresh look. There are good dealers out there, but sometimes you have to search them out.
Dave
CHANGE FILTER NOW TRUCK JUST TURNS OVER BUT
WONT START...HOW DO YOU GET THE AIR OUT OF THE
LINES...DO YOU LOOSEN LINES AT INJECTION PUMP
OR AT HEAD. WOULD APPRECIATE RESPONSE FROM SOME-
ONE WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THIS SUBJECT.
www.turbodieselregister.com
www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz
good luck,
Wildman
SD
It was also interesting to note that the idle was not as smooth as I expected & then find that to be a hot topic here.
RAMBLER hemi in '01, '02...being all the makes
of cars, boats, planes, pick-ups have problems...
F. Anyway I put the truck into gear and proceeded, but the steering would not work and the brakes did not work either. Itwas like the truck wasn't ruinning, but it was, It;s a diesel. After ten 15 minutes, Of checking for leaks etc, I reved the motor up to 2000-2500 rpm, and the steering and brakes started to come back. I took it too the dealer but by the time I got there the truck was running fine. So he looked it over but didn't fined anything wrong. He said if it did it again then come back. Today after this snowstorm (I live in ontario Canada), I started plowing the snow, but on my first reverse I backed right in to a wood post damaging the tailgate and bumper,and bent the tailgate brackets and hinge. The brakes would not apply, I didn't hit it very hard but enough to cause $1900 worth of damages. My question is the reason I hit the post was because the truck malfunctioned (no brakes), Can I get chrsyler to repair the truck or AM I out of luck.
P.>S the truck started to work fine after a couple of minutes.
#24 of 24: Auto-Trans Problems (aamalibu) Thu 14 Dec '00 (11:55 PM)
I bought my '01 Ram 2500 Quad SLT Plus Cummins in
May '00. It didn't seem to have the power it
should. The dealership, instead of fixing the
problem right, bent the throttle pedal up to get
full throttle. Within 10 miles I could tell it had
a lot more power but the trans was not shifting
correctly and the converter would not lock-up. The
dealership ran the electronics test said nothing
was wrong and would not look at it again. So I took
it to another dealership. They ordered a new pedal
assembly, adjusted the TPS and to make a long
story short...after 9 visits to the dealership its
on trans #3 has no power and still doesn't lock-up
or shift right. I LOVE this truck but hate all the
PROBLEMS. Anyone have any advice??
After installation I have really noticed a change in the shift points and overall performance.
Will recalibrating the speedometer/ speed sensor correct some of this? Has anyone out there done this? I'm in the Baltimore area, Any shops someone can recommend? Anyone know how to figure out what my final gear ratio is now?
my goal here is RELIABILITY OVER TIME Although of the dodge subject, i have also been looking at the f250 superduty but i have heard very bad reports about the electrical and servicability
can ay one comment?
The dealer, of course, disagrees, stating that these seals can go at any time.
Does anyone have any knowledge of who's correct here -- is is unusual that the seal should be less durable than a set of tires?
I've got a 2001 QC Ram 1500 5.2L 5speed that developed a rough idle after starting the engine after letting it sit 8 hours (maybe less). The dealership was finally able to reproduce it (after 4 days, and I was able to do it every morning before and every evening after work) but were unable to determine the cause.
The sucker shakes like its got a racing cam in it, and is otherwise fine after warming up. Now, you may be thinking "cold morning/evening - cold engine". Nope. Its happened adter the vehicle has sat in 70+ degree weather.
ChryCo corporate was supposed to send a mechanic out the week of Christmas but he was "too busy" to make it by. I'm concerned that whatever is happening is causing damage to my engine, that will eventually cause it to fail..
The ChryCo mechanic is _supposed_ to be ou this way the last Thrusday of this month. I'd _really_ hate to have to take it to another Dodge dealership, and then go Lemon Law on them. I loved the '96 5.9L Xcab and now the '01, and would hate to have to give it up (especially since I tinted the windows and put a bedliner on it as well...)
As for the wandering -- I noticed that its damned difficult to keep it straight on the road. I read over on alt.auto.dodge.truck to check tire pressure, to see if this was the cause. I'm running the Michelins that came with it I can't tell if the rear is whats wandering, or if its the front end...
Anyone got any helpful suggestions?
My point is: OEM tires suck. Rotate your tires and see if it makes any difference.
this seems to have done the trick on my truck.this must be some kind of recall because i didnt have to pay and my vehicle is out of warranty,but dodge isnt puting this info out.
to get the dealer to do it. I have a 1996 Ram
2500HD 5.9L. It doesn't start after the first
try but does on the second try, cold or hot.
Had the plugs, wires, battery checked, air filter
and PCV and crankcase filter done. Using Chevron
87 octane. Anyone have any ideas. Also how
about replacing of the fuel pump? Thanks.
The 5.2 needed a power steering pump at 30,000 and intake manifold gaskets at 60,000.
The 5.9 needed only the intake gaskets at 85,000 miles. NO other problems to date.
Both exhibited severe pinging even on level road, excessive oil consumption (500 mile/qt),
reduced gas mileage, "check engine soon" light. The intake gasket replacement ($300.)
out of warrrenty cured all problems. The 5.9 would leave a cloud of smoke after coming down
a hill and throw raw oil over the right rear fender. The 5.9 has always idled rough,still does,but
only first few moments of day then smooth thereafter. Use the 5.9 to pull a 3 ton generator all
the time. At 110,000 miles it will still do 125 mph, smoke the tires on dry pavement,deliver
14 plus mpg, uses NO oil at 3,000 mile change. Original plugs/wires. Gotta love em'.
About the only thing that I have noticed with it so far, is the wandering while trying to drive straight down the road. I notice many of you have talked about the tires... It sounds like some have replaced the steering sector, some have had a radial pull (tire defect), not sure what to think or say on that.
My main question though, is that looking through the governments web site: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov, several of these issues seem to be posted in TSB (Technical Service Bulletins). What I'm curious is, does anyone know of a place on the web (or by book) that a person can see the full document for a TSB and not just the subject? It seems to me that if many of the problems are discussed in a TSB, it might be much easier to find a solution (from the so called experts at Dodge or whomever).
If anyone knows of a place, let me know!!! I'd really appreciate it.
http://www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/support_pgs/tsb_index.html
He told me a great story about a guy that bought a new truck a couple years back. He installed a new stereo/speakers, alarm system, and remote starter. Whatever clown installed all that stuff totally destroyed the wiring in the truck. Cut all the wires prior to the main control harness and proceeded to wire everything off of that. Nothing ever worked right on that truck again. He had 17 warranty claims in 2 months, all from electical problems. Stuff was surging and blowing relays all the time. One of the dealers finally pulled all the accessories off, put them in a box, and rewired the truck. But he still had occassional gremlins.