jake brake problems

[Kerm]

This is the first truck I have had with a Jake Brake in it. I got with the truck about 2 months ago from the factory with the brake installed. I was wondering how it exactly works. It seems to have a mind of it's own. I turn it on and take my foot off the pedal and sometimes it works great (all the time). Other times is will not engage. Also, when using it to warn up the truck after awhile I can hear the brake engaging and disengaging???I have noticed it is usually when in a hotter climate or when the truck has been running for at least a couple of hours. Anyone else more familiar with these things? I love the product just wish it worked every time!

Thanks in Advance!

-kerm

 

[LPChristensen]

Kerm, I didn't know that Dodge was offering the Jake Brake as a factory option. I thought/assumed that the Jake Brake was a bolt on ,after sale item from the dealer. I got the new 04 Dodge sales brochure and I do not recall seeing the Jake Brake as an option. Is this something new for 04 1/2's?

 

[artie]

There is a manual for operations on this web site http://www.jakebrake.com/content.php4?doc uid=73.

 

[Fireman]

kerm,

I had a simular problem with mine. It was a bad electrical connection in the vitrolic (?) fan connector. It is located on the passenger side firewall just under the hood. There is a wire there from the solinoid I think that is souldered onto an existing pin. The pin wasn't pushed into the connector completely when the exhaust brake was installed, so it backed out slightly and caused intermittant brake operation. Next time the brake quits or fails to come on open the hood find the connector and push on the wires going into it on both sides, if the brake comes on there is your problem. Find the wire from the brake soilnoid and push it firmly into the connector until you hear a click when it locks in.

That's all I know about that,
Fireman

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Guessing that yours is a new truck I am assuming that it is programed correct. That said here is the deal.



Any time that the engine temp is above 170 degs and the speed is below 15mph (Not sure on that speed) the brake will shut off. I think that is what you are describing. Idea is that when warming it up or pulling up to a stop it will shut off and not be on all the time.



On the first 03's, and mine, they were programed wrong. The off temp was like 210 degs so they never shut off. Personaly I am not going to have it fixed because I like having it stay on at slow speeds.

 

[JNutter]

I've had a problem where it would not turn on when it was below zero F, but it started to work after the truck got warm. I'll have to go check that connector, it sounds like it could be the prolem.



My EB turns off at 170 when I'm sitting still. Above 170 I have to come to a complete stop before it turns off.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Another observation about the Gen 3 Jacobs exhaust break. A friend who installed a Pacbrake on both his Gen2 and Gen3 said the Gen3 ebrake wasn't as effective especially at lower rpms.



I have found the same to be true for the Jacobs. On my Gen2 the Jacobs kicked in and worked wonderfully. On the Gen3 you have to be at hight rpms before there is as noticable braking as on the Gen2. Oh well, it will be useful coming off Teton Pass. BRRRRRbbrrrr.



I should also add that the dealer hard wired the jacobs in the 98, i. e. it was either on or off and wasn't tied into the ECM. I wasn't aware of the difference until I took it out when I sold the truck. Worked fine, but that's one reason I decided to install the jacobs in my 04 myself. Plus I scored a Gen3 Jacobs for $700 unused, glory!

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Ol'TrailDog

Another observation about the Gen 3 Jacobs exhaust break. A friend who installed a Pacbrake on both his Gen2 and Gen3 said the Gen3 ebrake was near as effective especially at lower rpms.



I have found the same to be true for the Jacobs. On my Gen2 the Jacobs kicked in and worked wonderfully. On the Gen3 you have to be at hight rpms before there is as noticable braking as on the Gen2. Oh well, it will be useful coming off Teton Pass. BRRRRRbbrrrr. [/QUOTE



I cannot tell much difference between my 98. 5 G2 and my 03 as far as the Jacobs brake goes. Could it be because I had a 5 speed on my G2 and now have a 6 speed? I have no complaint at all about the Jacobs brake, so far, so good.



Dean]

 

[SAntes]

Has there been a reflash or TSB for the early 03 so you can have the 170 engine temp and zero speed turn brake off?

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Had the chance to use the Gen3 jake ebrake over teton pass and (10% grade) and togwotee pass for the first time this weekend. It did a great job of slowing the rig down. Still doesn't kick in like the Gen2 hard wired set up did, especially at lower rpms.



Overall impression, still a must have. .

 

[jelag]

A couple of thoughts.....



The Gen 1 system allowed for the brake to be installed with a switch that allowed for operation by the fuel pedal or the ECM... . at PacBrake this is no longer the case.....



On Gen 2 and 3 the fuel pedal comes to rest when the cruise contol is on... . in idle position... so a switch on the pedal wouldn't function... . We've also in the past put a switch on the mechanical pump... . very common on Cat, and Mack engines... but this pump has no provsion for it, as its fly by wire... . So the ECM is the only way that we've found... . and on my 01 and 04 I like it this way...



On the 04 the exhaust brake is turned on by the ECM going down hill with the cruise control on... a feature I really like... .



On the 04. 5 were making the elbow larger... . for the upgraded exhaust... so if you have an 03 and want to upsize the exhaust you can purchase our kit for the 04. 5 and have the bigger elbow... and it will handle the larger exhaust... . which means it handles more flow..... and more HP... .



Hope this has been some help... . if you any special questions feel free to email me.....



Jim

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Darn good suggestion jelag!

 

[SOLER]

Jelag, so are you saying that Pacbrake is making a brake that's in the elbow instead of, or as well as, an inline?



SOLER

 

[SOLER]

TTT again. I'm curious if Pac Brake now has a model that mounts in the elbow.



Also, Does the BD also have a compressor?

 

[Fred Swanson]

For 3G trucks, Pac is making both a 4 inch inline and a elbow replacement model. BD does use a compressor on the 3G Brakes, too.



The Inline Pac is adjustable and out of the box will need to be adjusted to offer accdeptable braking. Adding a tank will shorten the engagement delay by about 1 second. This helps alot for ECM triggered engagement.



Run a large enough tank to allow air for horns, or whatever you wish. One you have the air, you'll think of new reasons to use it.

 

[jelag]

Guys



PacBrake was the company that invented the direct mount exhaust brake... . We build both...



We have the in line brakes for those engines that don't have a removable cast elbow... and their built in 4", 5", 6"



For those engines that have a cast removable elbow... like the 5. 9 and the 7. 3 as well as a whole group of CAT engines we offer the direct mount series... Each one is designed for a specific engine.



We carry in stock exhaust brake kits for Gen 1,2,3 trucks as well as 04. 5's... . the 04. 5 is the larger elbow and 4" exhaust flange designed for the higher output, larger flow elbow... And I'm sure any local distributor of PacBrake also has a good supply... .



Pac Brake has it own engineering staff... . You might wish to check their web sight www.pacbrake.com



I hope I've answered your questions... . and will take PM's if you need more specific questions answered... I'll post replys to the board if you wish... .



Jim

 

[JNutter]

Kerm,



Did you ever figure out your ex-brake problem? Mine has failed to engage when cold a few more times. I asked the dealer to look at mine since it was going in anways for the banging and codes. I'll let you know if they figure out anything on the ex-brake.

 

[JNutter]

I thought I'd post here in case you didn't catch it in the thread about my engine problems.



The dealer actually caught the intermittant problem while it was happening today. :--) They tried my exhaust brake this morning and it didn't work. They were able to diagnose it down to a defective switch on the shift lever. The new switch should be in next week.

 

[Kerm]

I have still yet to figure out what was the problem with my brake. I have not had it happen recently. The one thing I did notice is that my problem (I think) is somehow related to either the air temp. or engine temp. I have been driving mainly in Ga,Al, and NC the last couple weeks(which believe it or not is alot colder than south Fl this time of year!) and have not had the problem happen again either loaded or unloaded. Yet when in Fl with higher air temps it seems like the problem is more prevalent. ??????????????

-kerm

 

[jelag]

Kerm



As you mention your travels weather and moisture come to mind and circuits with low current flow come to mind... . Check the following... .



The two connections that will cause eratic function are the two low current connections at the ECM... . The ECM through your manual switch to ground is a mili-amp connection..... if the connection is loose or if dirt can access it. . it will cause problems. .



The connection from the ECM to the control solenoid has a larger amount of current flowing, but not much...



Hope this has helped...



Jim