ETC light flashing and truck goes to idle

[JPolk]

I have been a member since 2001 and love following TDR. I have never posted ( I have never had the need) until now.



I purchased a new 3500 crew cab DRW in July 2012; the truck has 5000 miles. Last week while driving home from work, the truck lost power and went to idle with no response. The ETC light started flashing and the CEL came. The truck had a "dead petal" while in drive; however, when the truck was placed in neutral or park the accerlerator pedal worked. I had the truck towed to the dealership and they replaced a "brake control sensor". I left the dealership and traveled about 5 miles and the same thing happened ( dead petal, ETC light flashing, and CEL). This truck is stock with no mods. Does anyone have any ideas on what could cause this failure? I love the truck but the trust factor is very low.



P. S. I have a 2001 5. 9 with 200,000 with zero problems to date. Any suggestions are greatly welcomed.

 

[Beast2B]

That Electronic Throttle Control flashing light is not good. When they scan it at the dealership have them write the codes on your receipt along with any pieces and parts. Might make it easier for you or us to track this down if it persists!
I get the exact same results on my 2010 when I try to go from a Smarty software load back to stock. They say it's due to a change in the factory software and they're working on it, but I gotta get my truck smogged by next month. My CEL light comes up with a DTC P0601 (which is also there when the Smarty is loaded, but it's filtered out so as not to cause the CEL). My last ditch option may be to get the dealer to flash my truck back to the latest software and hope it doesn't come back...

 

[Bob4x4]

That Electronic Throttle Control flashing light is not good. When they scan it at the dealership have them write the codes on your receipt along with any pieces and parts. Might make it easier for you or us to track this down if it persists!
I get the exact same results on my 2010 when I try to go from a Smarty software load back to stock. They say it's due to a change in the factory software and they're working on it, but I gotta get my truck smogged by next month. My CEL light comes up with a DTC P0601 (which is also there when the Smarty is loaded, but it's filtered out so as not to cause the CEL). My last ditch option may be to get the dealer to flash my truck back to the latest software and hope it doesn't come back...

A factory reflash may work,if not it's ecm time

 

[Beast2B]

It still works fine in Smarty mode and Mads knows about the problem. They're working on it, but time is my enemy...

 

[JPolk]

Thanks for the reply and the suggestion on writing down the codes. The lastest news on my truck is it is still at the dealership. The truck has broken down twice at the dealership while they checking to see if the problem had been fixed. They said they replace the APPS. They are stumped on the problem with no real answers or solutions.

Do you have the problem when the Smarty is installed?

I really don't know what to do. I have never had a vehicle leave me stranded on the road twice with only 5000 miles.
It is tough to write a check for 800 plus for payment on something your not driving.

 

[Bob4x4]

If you have a service contract it would supply a rental vehicle

 

[RonD]

Lemon Law the truck if it continues, you sadly may have that one in a thousand trucks, best of luck on solving the issue.

 

[mrkstrk]

Call Chrysler Customer Care Assistance, the number is in the owners manual or the service writer will give it to you. Tell them you're story, be stern, request a rental and the cost of a tank of fuel the dealership is using to repair the truck and a months payment. You may have to go up the ladder a bit. It worked for me on my 2012. And it is not as easy as everyone lets on with the Lemon Law, believe me, we are in neck deep.

 

[Beast2B]

Do you have the problem when the Smarty is installed?

The code shows up on my code reader with the Smarty loaded, but no CEL or ETC. My truck still seems to run fine with stock software even though the lights are lit up. I've only driven a couple miles that way, but it was normal 0-50 and coasting. I'm interested in trying an H&S unit to load and unload back to stock to see if it still happens. Anyone around Sacramento area willing to loan their H&S for a parking lot load/unload session?

 

[Beast2B]

BTW I am not deleted. I just use the smarty to disable the EGR without physically removing any hardware

 

[Beast2B]

Well, I have a couple options. I purchase a used XRT Pro from the classifieds so I can try 'em both and compare power, mpg, etc. maybe the XRT will allow a return to stock without this issue... Also, I got a recovery software load from Mads for my Smarty. I loaded the recovery sw, installed it in the truck and all is running fine. the problem I have now (with a pending email to Bob W) is the Smarty is still VIN locked to my truck with Recovery as the only option. Can I reload the non-ME software and attempt to go back to stock? Anyway, I thought I'd add some info instead of making a 5-page post when it's all resolved!

 

[RonD]

Call Chrysler Customer Care Assistance, the number is in the owners manual or the service writer will give it to you. Tell them you're story, be stern, request a rental and the cost of a tank of fuel the dealership is using to repair the truck and a months payment. You may have to go up the ladder a bit. It worked for me on my 2012. And it is not as easy as everyone lets on with the Lemon Law, believe me, we are in neck deep.

Lemon Law is a black and white issue, it qualifies, or it does not, a free call to a Lemon Attorney and you will find out, they may find the problem, if so thats great, if not move on,