Ram 3500 same load, same hill, intermittent engine brake

[Steely]

I have a 2016 ram 3500 with 50,000 miles that I use to haul a truck camper and pull a heavy boat. I drive up and down the same grade fairly often. Sometimes the engine brake works, other times it doesn’t. This issue has been going on for about a year and it never throws any codes or has any other symptoms. The truck is all stock with a 68RFE transmission. I pulled the exhaust gas pressure sensor the other day and it looked clean and the tube looked clear. Without any engine codes I’m not sure what direction to go, has anybody seen anything like this before?

 

[AH64ID]

I have a 2016 ram 3500 with 50,000 miles that I use to haul a truck camper and pull a heavy boat. I drive up and down the same grade fairly often. Sometimes the engine brake works, other times it doesn’t. This issue has been going on for about a year and it never throws any codes or has any other symptoms. The truck is all stock with a 68RFE transmission. I pulled the exhaust gas pressure sensor the other day and it looked clean and the tube looked clear. Without any engine codes I’m not sure what direction to go, has anybody seen anything like this before?

Are you in TH?

The TQ converter has to be locked for the EB to actuate, so a tool that shows TQ, VGT position, and exhaust back pressure may be a good start.

There is an Edge CTS2 in the classifieds.

 

[Steely]

Are you in TH?

The TQ converter has to be locked for the EB to actuate, so a tool that shows TQ, VGT position, and exhaust back pressure may be a good start.

There is an Edge CTS2 in the classifieds.

Yes I am in TH with engine brake in the orange setting.

 

[kthaxton]

Mine did that when my Turbo actuator was going out. No codes and it was intermittent.

Have you noticed any intermittent boost problems?

 

[Steely]

Mine did that when my Turbo actuator was going out. No codes and it was intermittent.

Have you noticed any intermittent boost problems?

I haven’t noticed any performance problems, I haven’t been paying attention to boost numbers.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Actuator

 

[kthaxton]

I'd keep your eyes on it, or maybe even just take it to the dealer to have it checked out (may be an issue with no code however)...they just extended the warranty on this specific part....if that is your problem, you very well could get it replaced under this extended warranty.

 

[Steely]

I'd keep your eyes on it, or maybe even just take it to the dealer to have it checked out (may be an issue with no code however)...they just extended the warranty on this specific part....if that is your problem, you very well could get it replaced under this extended warranty.

That’s good advice, I will take it in and see what the dealer has to say. Thanks for all the replies. Hopefully it is the actuator and I can get it resolved.

 

[Walker111]

My 16' has been like this since I owned it, for the past 100k miles its always done this. Like AH64ID said, certain parameters have to be met before it engages, I've always chocked it up as that.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I'd keep your eyes on it, or maybe even just take it to the dealer to have it checked out (may be an issue with no code however)...they just extended the warranty on this specific part....if that is your problem, you very well could get it replaced under this extended warranty.

Was the extension for more than the 2015's?

 

[sag2]

I thought my 2018 was intermittent too. What I noticed is unless I got to about 30 mph it didn't work. And if I slowed using the EB to where it turned off you had to be on the throttle to 30 mph for it to work again. I also found it worked better in auto than in full. It has done it since new so I assume it is just the way it works.

 

[kthaxton]

Was the extension for more than the 2015's?

Oh yeah forgot that so far it was 15 only. I haven't heard otherwise.