Jacobs exhaust brake?

[kernen]

I just purchased a Jacobs exhaust brake. Plan to have it installed next week at the Dodge dealer. Primary reason is it should eliminate warranty issues down the road or at least I hope so. I just noticed the new thread on vaccum pump issues. I did not realize there are issues such as premature failure and excessive noise. I sure hope I do not regret my purchase.



_________________________________________________________________ 06 Mega cab,black,SLT,4x4, 6 spd ,3. 73,Mopar aluminum oval step tubes. Kilby condensor guard,315-70 BFG all terrain,Mopar nav system,Mopar Sirius, Line-x over rail, RK diamond plate aluminum tool box Line-xed, polished aluminum locking fuel filler door (Jacobs Exhaust brake) in process

 

[klenger]

I've never had any problems.

 

[kernen]

Klenger, thanks for the input. I know Cummins and Jacobs have had to have spent alot of money on product development. neither are lightweigts in that regard.

 

[fireman717]

Mine makes some noise and the switch makes a clicking sound when activating. Other then that it works fine towed my trailer with it yesterday did well.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I have an idea Ford spent time and money on developing the Edsel too. :-laf



Had one in the 04 and didn't have any problems. Also had a Jake in the 02. I have a BD in the 97 because it was the first used deal I found. However, if I was installing a ebrake in the 3Gen from scratch I'd probably go with Pac. The new PBXR (or whatever) sound like they have better braking at low rpms, uses a stock serpentine belt, and an electric vacum pump. Too bad the nitwits didn't leave factory vacum on, imho.

 

[HBarlow]

kernan,



I have an '06 3500DRW/48RE/4. 10 on order with Jacobs Exhaust Brake included on the invoice but to be installed by the dealer. I was already aware of the issues with the vacuum pump when I ordered and think I'd prefer the PacBrake but decided to use a Jacobs brake since my truck will have an automatic transmission and because '06 is the first production year offering an automatic transmission and exhaust brake under warranty. If I experience any problems with the engine, transmission, or exhaust brake I won't have to deal with any finger pointing to get warranty repairs/replacements done. If the Jacobs brake assembly disappoints me I'll replace it with a PacBrake using a compressor after the engine warranty expires.



I had the selling dealer install a MOPAR/Jacobs exhaust brake on my '01 before I took delivery. The truck now has 303k miles on the odometer. I love the truck and the exhaust brake but the experience has not been completely free of disappointment. The first brake began sticking closed at around 120k miles. It took me awhile to realize what was occurring and what the cause was. On the advice of Carlton Bale (via internet troubleshooting and communication) I replaced the vacuum solenoid (not cheap) but that was not the solution. MOPAR/Cummins does not/will not sell the brake itself separately so ultimately I had to buy another complete new MOPAR/Cummins exhaust brake assembly to replace the faulty one. That was not cheap. I respect and appreciate Carlton Bale and admire Jacobs but was not entirely satisfied with the overall solution. The second unit works great but began making an offensive whistling/rattling noise when engaged not long after it was installed. It may have an exhaust leak around the shaft?? The noise is slowly minimizing itself or I am becoming accustomed to it. I could remove it and get a replacement under warranty but the exhange would require downtime, labor, and, probably hassle with the dealer who won't be familiar with operation and probably won't believe me when I tell him the noise is out of the ordinary and unacceptable. I bought it long distance from a dealer far away so convincing them of the problem would be a challenge. Since I'm buying a new truck I'm going to ignore it.



Overall, I think your choice is the right one while your new truck is in warranty but since your truck is a manual six speed you might choose to return the Jacobs brake and buy a PacBrake. The probability of encountering warranty issues with a manual transmission is less than with an automatic during the first model year the combo is offered.



Harvey

 

[kernen]

Am I understanding correct that the Jacobs exhaust brake will only engage at 2000 RPM or above ?. Once engaged surely it stays in that position until solenoid switch opens. If the above is true how does it help accelerate warm up at 750 RPM?

 

[klenger]

The Jacobs brake stays engaged at all RPMs, but the effectivness is RPM dependent. There is a graph on the Jacobs website that shows breaking HP vs RPM. It's pretty linear with the most effective braking above 2000 RPM. Don't expect the exhaust brake to drastically reduce your speed driving around town. It is inteneded to retard speed by adding engine braking hauling heavy loads down steep hills, and does an excellent job at that. Around town, it will help slow the truck down and save a bunch n brake wear, if you anticipate stops in advance and slow down well before you get there.

 

[BHolm]

The brake works in 2nd 3rd and 4th gears. It will stay activated in second down to about 25 mph and 1100 rpm and still provide some slowing power. It will engage at idle and it will also engage at high idle up to 1100 rpm to speed warm up.

 

[NDetoy]

Jacobs exhaust brake

Just had the Jacobs exhaust brake installed by dealer on 06 6 speed. It works great. I had Jacobs brake on my 93, 5 spped (xstarder, sp?) and it had a switch when you depressed the clutch it would turn off brake. The new one does not turn off when clutch is depressed or at stop. Sometimes it does go off but most of the time it does not. I have to turn brake off with switch on gear shift. Is this normal? I told service manager about it on Friday and he was going to check with Mechanic. He probably really doesn't Know as Mech. said this is the 2nd one he has ever installed. Just want to check with TDR family before I go back on Monday and hear what they think I want to hear. . Have not pulled 5th wheel yet as I want to put a few miles on it before I make the Cummins work for a living.

 

[jacqnbill]

I have a 2004. 5 with 6 speed and I believe the brake only disengages when the accelerator pedal is not depressed. The ECM controls the ebrake.

 

[CPG]

Kernan, If you pull a large trailer in mountain country and the brake is working right, you will have no regrets on the feeling of safety you will feel.

 

[Shooter]

The Jake will disengage about 1 or 2 sec after coming to a complete stop. If your coolant temp is below 170* +/- then it will stay engaged until Nor Op Temp is achieved any time the throttle is deactivated on a stick.

The auto might still stay active untill engine at operating temp and then disengage at 25mph



Hope this helps.

 

[HBarlow]

I'm puzzled by Shooter's comments above. In more than 300,000 miles of usage and talking to dozens of other owners I've never experienced or heard of a situation that would cause the exhaust brake to "disengage about 1 or 2 seconds after coming to a stop. " My Jacobs brake certainly does not work that way.



That must be a misstatement and not what he intended to say. The exhaust brake when installed on a manual transmission-equipped truck will engage when the switch on the shifter is pulled out (or otherwise turned on) and the accelerator pedal is released. The brake will engage and remain engaged forever unless the accelerator pedal is pressed again. Exhaust brake engagement is not effected by whether the vehicle is stopped or moving nor is it effected by engine coolant temperature. Computer programming deactivates or disengages the brake when the engine speed is raised above idle rpm by fueling.



The brake is activated when 12 volts is provided to the vacuum actuator switch on the firewall. The 12 volt activation signal is routed through the ECM and only passes through the ECM when the ECM reads a "closed throttle" signal which occurs when the accelerator pedal is released.



Harvey

 

[dgieson]

My exhaust brake works just like Shooter's so I guess you now know of 2 that disengage after a stop.

 

[kernen]

I appreciate the input and feel better after reading your posts. I want a superior product and to quote a rather common statement on TDR " you are your own warranty station" ,I do not want to be in that unenvieable position. It appears Dodge has become more intolerant of non -factory approved accessories. Look how they have shortened their factory warranty on all except the Cummins motor. Again TDR is a superior knowledge base. THANKS

 

[JRMora]

My exhaust brake works just like Shooter's so I guess you now know of 2 that disengage after a stop.

On my Pac Brake (and I believe the newer Jakes), once the truck comes to a stop the ECM will release the brake (the newer brakes operate via the ECM - it's not a simple "On/Off" switch). As mentioned above, the brake WILL stay on if the coolant temp is below 170° to help engine warm-up. Other than warm up, I don't see any reason for the brake to be on when the truck is stopped. It just won't do anything.



As for the Pac PRXB, I don't believe they recommend it for ANY Dodge automatics - only the manuals due to the higher retarding HP at lower RPM's



Juan

 

[TRFD]

Jake Brake

I have the Jake on my '06 Mega Cab. It's GREAT .



For the cold starts and warm up it comes on and cycles automatically and for the slow down drop out it is disabled at 20-22 mph. It's worth speeding up to hear it cycle!!!!



I haven't pulled a load yet but it makes driving in traffic great to use the Jake instead of your brakes.

 

[John Prince]

Has anyone here installed there own Cummings/mopar Jake? I just finnished mine yesterday. I was kinda a PITA. I could do the 2nd know realy fast. Any way I have my check engine light on now. Is there a way to clear the code with out going to the dealer? The book said this might happen. You have to pull all the power and a plug of the ECM and add two wires.

About the noise if it was on a real sounding truck like my 97 12v you would not hear the pump.

John

 

[jelag]

We install a lot of PacBrakes... . and remember that if you tie into the ECM, the PacBrake and Jacobs units should function the same... as the ECM is turning them on...



I do personally feel the PRXB is a huge step up over other units buts lets set that aside for a minute...



We've noticed that there are several different programs in the ECM to control the exhaust brake..... or at least we think that's what were seeing... . no one seems able to confirm or deny this... . I have 3 trucks... . 04, 04. 5 and a 05... .



We don't use the clutch interloc switch on any of them as we can either keep the brake off with light pressure on the throttle or shift fast enough to keep itfrom coming on.....



We do see a difference in our trucks... . in all of them... if the truck is moving above lets say 15 mph no matter what gear or temperature you can turn on the brake with your foot off the throttle... . on the 04. 5 and the 05 if your at temperature, sometimes the brake will come on and sometimes it won't when your stopped... . sitting in the drive way... . they all 3 work when the trucks are cold... .



And since the ECM is looking at the throttle position switch... . not idle speed... the brakes will come on at fast idle when the trucks are closed...



So I guess that what I'm saying is that several of your comments above are correct based on the year of the truck based on what we've seen... .



I hope this helps... sort out the differences... .