Code 341 and several others

[LPChristensen]

I need some serious help with my truck. I am on my fourth set of codes thrown by the engine. In late December of 03, had a check engine light come on and I determined that there was a code 341, camshaft position sensor performance/rationality being thrown. My local dealer did "found code 341 cam sensor on restriction, called star, swap cam sensor with crank sensor as per Chuck @ star. Give back to customer. "



In mid February, 04 check engine light came on and investigation determined that it was Code 341. Local Dodge dealer “customer states that the check engine light is on Code 341 (14) attached perform diagnostic test in powertrain book. Conditions to set code not present @ this time. Called star spoke with Ken. ck. ed two more items. Was told to reset code and talk to customer. ”



In mid March, 04, check engine light, Code 341 as well as Code 2121, pedal position sensor 1 performance/rationality, Code 0193 fuel rail pressure sensor high, Code 2127 pedal validation switch 2 low. Through research on the Internet obtained a copy of Technical Service Bulletin number 18-003-04 which Chrysler Corporation states was sent to all dealers on February 3, 2004 and furnished this document to my local Dodge dealer who stated he had no knowledge of it at the dealership. “Customer states the engine started running real bad, losing power, missing, sputtering, RPM went down to 200 RPM, had no response from gas pedal, has 4 fault codes. Flash ECM as per TSB 18-003-04.



Today, March 18, 2004, while driving at approximately 65 milers per hour on a local highway, the truck lost much of it’s power started to miss and sputter. Pulled off at first available exit and truck died at the intersection, noticed check engine light was illuminated. After several attempts, truck started and after running for about a mile or two, truck started to run “normally”. Investigation determined that the engine was throwing 3 codes, code 341, previously described, as well as code 630, vin not programmed in PCM, and code 633, skim key not programmed in PCM.



Does anybody have any idea, any at all that I can get my dealer to do that would fix this probelm. I am really getting pi#$%d off. I am getting the same song and dance, second and third verse, bring it in, let us look at it! HELP HELP HELP.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I'm thinking that if your computer lost it's vin info then it's NVRAM or SRAM must be having problems. Sounds like the computer is on it's way out.

 

[rbattelle]

I agree with Prarie... push for a new ECM. Sounds like a bad one. Do you have any performance boxes installed?

 

[DCTECH]

Hi Larry, I agree that it sounds like your ECM with all your other codes. If you have any perormance boxes on I would unhook them and see if goes away. I had one truck that the performance box was causing lots of erronous codes. I also sent you a PM.

 

[LPChristensen]

No, I have not installed any performance boxes. The engine is stock, except for the Jacobs/Cummins exhaust brake and the install of the temperature and boost gages. I was holding back on putting any box on until I had some heavy duty pulling, now I'm glad I did, got enough problems without that.

 

[rbattelle]

I know it stinks to go back to the dealer on stuff like this, but all things considered I think that's where it belongs. New ECM. Or maybe a new harness... hmmm... could it be some chaffed wiring? On second thought, nah probably not (chaffed wiring wouldn't cause the PCM to lose your VIN). You may need a new PCM and ECM.

 

[LPChristensen]

And the winner is------

rbattelle, you may be the grand prize winner. After two days of having my truck, the local dealer called this afternoon and said that the "Star" told them to change out the wire harness. I am very doubtful that this will be the fix, but I have my fingers crossed. I am to a point where I just want a truck that is dependable and not have the check engine light come on ever few hundred miles.

 

[catoiler]

Make them buy it back and get another one!

 

[ttreibel]

A buyback sounds kind of extream for a check engine light?

 

[DLeno]

maybe, but I'd be checking the local lemon laws in parallel with my efforts at the dealer. Give the dealer time to research and troubleshoot, make three attempts or whatever the local laws allow, and then start turning the screws.



with such a repeatable problem as this, I'd think it would be clearly the Dealer's responsibility to act on this until resolved. I'd be camping out at the service managers door. Ask the service mgr what he would do if it were his vehicle.



I'm not in this situation and don't know the relationship with the Dealer, etc. But I'd be tempted to give them a shot at the harness, and at the same time ask the service manager for immediate first priority assistance if the problem appears again. get your towing benefits in order if they're still good. By this time that service departments should be primed and ready to take further action.

 

[LPChristensen]

Well the saga continues, got a call in the late afternoon that they had started to work on my truck pulling off the old wiring harness when they "discovered" they had the wrong harness. I don't know how many different harnesses that they could choose from, I didn't think my '03 HO was exotic, but guess it is. When flying down there and told the service technician, service manager and owner of the dealership that I was a long, long way from being a happy little camper. After we all sat down and had our little "come to Jesus" talk, they said they were overnighting the part in, it would be a top priority fix and here are the keys to a nice new truck, "thanks for stopping by sir". I guess we shall see what tomorrow brings. I really love my Dodge truck and the Cummins, but sure wish that Dodge would spend more money and time on training technicians. You take the vehicle back to the dealer because you think that they have the people and the parts to fix problems, but I'm not sure that I might have been better off just going down the street to Joe's Shade Tree garage.

 

[DLeno]

man I feel for you. I think often times the only difference between joe shadetree and and a DC tech is that the latter has all the right test equipment, documentation, etc.



some dealerships really do get it right and some just go through the motions. you know what they say: a fool with a tool is still a fool. or something like that...