EB stuck on

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I suppose the opposite scenario is possible too....something in the electronics failed in the "on" position, forcing the gears to push against the limit of the actuator, causing additional electrical burn-up. Just thinking out loud.

Hard telling’ not knowin’!!

 

[kthaxton]

Thankfully, online SWAG diagnostics are a free service.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Maybe I missed it but was the turbo slide lever moving freely when actuator was removed?

 

[JR]

I saw another one just like it here locally.

As a friend that is an electrical engineer suggested, one of the weaknesses on components like this are from the cheap silicon that is sourced from only a couple of places, and almost none of them are from countries with environmental regs. In that regard many components are created equal regardless of name, price, and claims of greatness.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Maybe I missed it but was the turbo slide lever moving freely when actuator was removed?

Yes, the lever moves freely.

 

[SnoKing]

In my career and training in the repairing of electronics we call those burnt components "banana chips" in that the monkeys can find them to change them.

Of the 6 SCR(or whatever) around the motor gear, the ones at 7 and 9 O-clock completely burnt down, the ones at 5 and 11 show signs for over heating.

 

[GCroyle]

That thing needs a dentist and a can of replacement smoke!

Yikes

 

[ProLean]

I keep getting an intermittent CEL on my 2014 with the EB coming and going. It'll work for a while when the ignition cycles enough times to clear the code but out of the blue, I'll hear the chime and the CEL reappears and I won't have any EB. The truck gets louder too like it pings big time upon acceleration. Once the EB stuck on until I pulled over and pushed the EB button to off and it finally freed up again. It sounds like I'm needing an actuator?! I was considering the City Diesel unit but now I'm a bit turned off by what I just saw on Tramplineman's actuator...Hmmm.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

I keep getting an intermittent CEL on my 2014 with the EB coming and going. It'll work for a while when the ignition cycles enough times to clear the code but out of the blue, I'll hear the chime and the CEL reappears and I won't have any EB. The truck gets louder too like it pings big time upon acceleration. Once the EB stuck on until I pulled over and pushed the EB button to off and it finally freed up again. It sounds like I'm needing an actuator?! I was considering the City Diesel unit but now I'm a bit turned off by what I just saw on Tramplineman's actuator...Hmmm.

Possibly the actuator, but you need to check the turbo for free movement of the VGT collar.
And, this is the first city diesel actuator failure like this I've seen on any of the forums.

 

[ProLean]

Tough part is you have to find out by moving the VGT collar by removing the actuator. Once removed, I either have to replace it if all is well with the turbo (having a new unit on hand) or pull it off and check for movement then put it back on, recalibrate the old one somehow, and then wait for the new actuator to come. If I do buy one ahead of time and it IS the turbo, then I have spent $895 on a paperweight AND have to buy a turbo as well. Am I missing something? oh and I have about 93K on the truck.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Tough part is you have to find out by moving the VGT collar by removing the actuator. Once removed, I either have to replace it if all is well with the turbo (having a new unit on hand) or pull it off and check for movement then put it back on, recalibrate the old one somehow, and then wait for the new actuator to come. If I do buy one ahead of time and it IS the turbo, then I have spent $895 on a paperweight AND have to buy a turbo as well. Am I missing something? oh and I have about 93K on the truck.

Well, you can buy the turbo without the actuator.
So, you can buy an actuator, then if the turbo is sticking you can either have it gone through or buy a reman unit without the actuator.
6 of one, half dozen of the other, either way it is part of the diagnosis procedure.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I was considering the City Diesel unit but now I'm a bit turned off by what I just saw on Tramplineman's actuator...Hmmm.

Well, everything man made will fail at one point or another. The CD actuators have a two year warranty on them, which is a lot better than most. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another if I had to. I have a feeling this was a fluke as I have not heard of any others going bad either.

 

[ProLean]

Okay sounds like a plan. Best place to get a reman turbo if I needed one? I would rather have that CD actuator than a stock one....these are failing at an alarming rate. You'd think RAM or Cummins would step up on them if they are at least within the 100K powertrain warranty. Thanks for your feedback.

 

[JR]

Tramp, ask City Diesel what your warranty is now that you have one on the books.

 

[TMyers]

Okay sounds like a plan. Best place to get a reman turbo if I needed one? I would rather have that CD actuator than a stock one....these are failing at an alarming rate. You'd think RAM or Cummins would step up on them if they are at least within the 100K powertrain warranty. Thanks for your feedback.

Reman 6.7L Dodge Turbocharger 5326058RX | 2013 - 2020 (mddistributorsstore.com)

Also, Ram wrote an addition to the turbo actuator program for our trucks that cycles the actuator every time the truck is started. They did my update when I had it in for the tailgate lock recall. On a cold morning when I use the EB/Tow & Haul and cruise to warm up my truck, I can hear it cycle from top to bottom.

 

[Ltngdrvr]

Okay sounds like a plan. Best place to get a reman turbo if I needed one? I would rather have that CD actuator than a stock one....these are failing at an alarming rate. You'd think RAM or Cummins would step up on them if they are at least within the 100K powertrain warranty. Thanks for your feedback.

I think city diesel offers the turbo as well.
In Houston, there is a good turbo rebuilder, maybe one close to where you are that could do yours or maybe have an exchange one.

 

[JR]

And, this is the first city diesel actuator failure like this I've seen on any of the forums.

In fairness, the failures you do see are OEM units with XX yrs and miles.
As many as have failed you don't exactly see the OEM replacements going TU either, and certainly not new still under warranty replacement actuators.

 

[EDankievitch]

I would reach out to Jayson at CityDiesel the unit you have might fall within the group that they had an issue with the gear housing not having enough clearance on the geartrain . According to Jayson it caused the unit to bind. The one i installed in my 2013 was one. It didn’t fail like yours but would do strange things when it was cold. I still have the unit an you can clearly see where the gear was grinding on the housing.

 

[ProLean]

Just as a follow up, I got fed up with the CEL intermittently popping up so I bit the bullet and bought the City Diesel Actuator from Geno's. During the installation, on my 14, the radiator drain is a real pain to get to so I took the main line off the lower y-pipe and that did the trick very quickly. Follow the instructions to the letter and it's not bad...couple of hours.
I can say at least for the time I've now had the replacement installed, my truck has never run better. it's pretty snappy and a lot smoother sounding. I drive with the TH on and the EB in Smart mode and it does real well. Happy with the changeout so far. You guys save me thousands I'm sure.