Exhaust brake, can they remember its on?

[WMoroni]

Is it possible for the dealer to make the pickups remember that the brake was on the last time you drove the truck, like the c&c trucks do? Is there a code the dealer can put in or do you just have to remember to turn it on every time?

 

[Schrowang]

I don't know about anybody else, but I always know when the EB is on. First, the light on the dash button is on, and there is a symbol on the dash display that tells me that also. But, the biggest giveaway is the first time you take you're foot off of the throttle with the EB on, the abrupt deceleration is gonna tell you.



Even on my '04. 5 2500 CTD, the JakeBrake only had a little red LED on top of the switch, but I knew every time the brake was on, or I had left it on the night before.

 

[Schrowang]

I don't know about anybody else, but I always know when the EB is on. First, the light on the dash button is on, and there is a symbol on the dash display that tells me that also. But, the biggest giveaway is the first time you take you're foot off of the throttle with the EB on, the abrupt deceleration is gonna tell you.



Even on my '04. 5 2500 CTD, the JakeBrake only had a little red LED on top of the switch, but I knew every time the brake was on, or I had left it on the night before.

 

[WMoroni]

I mean the truck itself. My c&c remembers, so the next time you start the truck it is still on. I was wondering if the pickups could be programmed the same.

 

[HBarlow]

The dealer can't do it but you can.

If you search you should be able to find two different threads with the information you'll need to modify the pickup to turn the exhaust brake on everytime it's started like your C&C. It has been discussed several times here in the GenIII or ISB6. 7 engine forums. The modification requires a different push-push micro switch and a modification to the way the wires are connected to the switch IIRC.

 

[n7gxz]

The dealer can't do it but you can.



If you search you should be able to find two different threads with the information you'll need to modify the pickup to turn the exhaust brake on everytime it's started like your C&C. It has been discussed several times here in the GenIII or ISB6. 7 engine forums. The modification requires a different push-push micro switch and a modification to the way the wires are connected to the switch IIRC.

The problem with the 2010/2011 trucks is the "micro" switch is only a switch to tell the computer to turn it on. The switch is part of a circute board of soft switchs like a computer keyboard.



Kevin

 

[stick]

Kevin is right Harvey-The new trucks switch setup is different, so that older switch workaround won't work.



Stick

 

[mpaulson]

Are they realy dfferent? On mine I just did the relay method and it is alway on when start the truck and if I want it off, then I just hit the switch to turn it off. I wouldn't think that this wiring would have changed to the forth gen truck, but I don't know anythng about the new ones. Here's a link to the tread that has the info for the 07. 5 to 09 6. 7L engines. I have done this and love it. It also helps the truck warm up faster in the winter time when I use the command start to start it. Go to the link below and the 6th tread down has the details for the wiring. I would think that it would be the same on the new trucks, but maybe different wire colours. But like I said, I don't know anything about the new trucks and someone would need to try it.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...nsmissions-2007-5/214824-wiring-eb-start.html

 

[HBarlow]

Kevin is right Harvey-The new trucks switch setup is different, so that older switch workaround won't work.

Stick

Stick,

You may very well be 100% correct. I know nothing about the 2010-2011s and not much more about the ISB6. 7 pickups.

If you back away from the details and consider the larger issue, the exhaust brake function is computer controlled and a switch enables and disables it.

If the new trucks have a switch built into a circuit board instead of a separate switch (I have no idea how they are built) it is not much different. A skilled electronics technician could cut the small wires to the switch and use a separate micro switch to accomplish the same function.

Of course before jumping into this task the owner would need to be sure he understands the circuitry.

 

[DonT]

The 2010 and up pickups are different than previous years. The switch / relay modification will not work any more.

 

[RVTRKN]

It might be a good question for your service manager, if its in the Logic control and not an external switch, you might be able to have a tech enable that function, and if there is enough enquires D/C just might have the function in the next reflash/update in the programing.



I know, wishful thinking. :-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[HBarlow]

The 2010 and up pickups are different than previous years. The switch / relay modification will not work any more.

How do you know that? How are they different?

 

[DonT]

How do you know that? How are they different?

I did make up a relay with jumpers like the earlier versions work with, I think I still have it laying around here someplace. I took the dash and then the switch apart and got out my meters to find a way to make it work. I can't remember the details (this was almost a year ago) but it didn't take long to figure out it can't be done with a relay, maybe something on a pc board would work. I don't care enough about it to try to get into the program to see how it works, I stopped programming almost two years ago and have no interest in starting again. I know H&S did try and it is rather complicated to consistently activate it on start-up and, at least for now, they quit fooling with it.

 

[HBarlow]

I did make up a relay with jumpers like the earlier versions work with, I think I still have it laying around here someplace. I took the dash and then the switch apart and got out my meters to find a way to make it work. I can't remember the details (this was almost a year ago) but it didn't take long to figure out it can't be done with a relay, maybe something on a pc board would work. I don't care enough about it to try to get into the program to see how it works, I stopped programming almost two years ago and have no interest in starting again. I know H&S did try and it is rather complicated to consistently activate it on start-up and, at least for now, they quit fooling with it.

Doesn't sound good then if you have a background in computer programming, studied the circuitry, and couldn't figure it out.

I don't understand why Ram sets the exhaust brake capability up that way. It is always on in the C&C Rams, at least my '08 is.

 

[DonT]

I don't understand why they did it that way either. I was irritated with it at first, having to push the button every time I start up. I guess after nearly a year I am sort of used to it.

 

[WMoroni]

It might be a good question for your service manager, if its in the Logic control and not an external switch, you might be able to have a tech enable that function, and if there is enough enquires D/C just might have the function in the next reflash/update in the programing.



I know, wishful thinking. :-laf:-laf:-laf

Believe it or not it was the service man at the dealership that asked me the question. He was hoping it was as simple as adding a different code on a relash. He hasn't found it yet.

 

[Mike Worcester]

It's my understanding that the reason they can't set it up to stay on start after start is because of the potential effect of the EB in inclement weather. Defaulting to ON could potentially let someone, who is perhaps not familiar with how it works, drive in snow or slick conditions and lose control when the truck engages the EB, thus causing manufacturer liability. It's the same reason we have a SOP at the fire department with regards to turning off the engine retarders in the snow... the department won't pay if the truck loses control because the EB was on.

My question would be, why can't they set it up to downshift when the EB is on but not in Tow/Haul mode... I mean, if we're gonna use the thing, it'd be handy to at least start the downshifting process. Our Chev Kodiak ambulance (DuraMax/Allison) downshifts once when the EB is on and you take your foot off the gas. Keeps a lot of the guys from even using it, but it works really good!

 

[RVTRKN]

Hi Mike, Welcome to TDR, are you aware that the C&C has the EB on all the time, if I have it on when I turn the ignition off, its on when I restart the engine. liability may not be the reason, only Dodge can answer that and they have yet to address it to anyone here on TDR, at least I haven't read any posts about it.

 

[Mike Worcester]

Good point... probably not liability... entirely. I guess I see it that those that would purchase a C&C would probably know a thing or two about the vehicle and it's use might be more appropriate for the constant EB, but if my wife were to go out and buy a truck with an EB... enough said!

Thanks for the Welcome! I'm really excited to be back in the Dodge Forum... WAY to long away!