Newbie's First Post Here...

[Jeb_H]

Guys,



My first post here along with my first Dodge I just b ought also LOL... So I thought I might better find myself as well as the killer new white Gote I just purchased on 3-20-07.



I have a little over 5200 miles on her so far and she just went in the shop today much to my dismay I might add. I had a hard check engine code this morning at midnight when I went to leave on my route with her and the 27' gooseneck trailer she totes around for me now. Noticed a low voltage reading also, so if I had to guess I would say maybe the alternator may be on the way out or the voltage rectifier in it... Guess I will know soon enough, will keep everyone posted on what is found.



More about the white gote' I bought so everyone knows more about what I have. Its a 07' 3500 dually with the Quad cab and a 6. 7L and the 68RFE and 3. 73 axle ratio for the 4X4 drive train. Its alot like others here I have been reading about for sometime now so not something so special in the sence of trucks here; but what is special about this is the fact I have been a die-hard Ford guy for over 25 years now and still have the last new truck I bought from Ford which is a 95 crewcab 350 4X4 with the E4OD and 4. 10's...



So to say this was my first Dodge is whats so special about this truck if you ask me LOL... Seems that the new 08 strokers, as well as the new 6. 0L strokers will just not stand up for what I do with my truck on the 5 day a week route I haul auto parts to dealers around my part of the world, so I didn't buy a new 08' as I had planned all along too... I haul more than my share of the stroker parts to the larger dealers in the area and know all to well they are not going to work well enough for me sad to say as I wanted one of the new 08's really bad... The hotshot route I haul parts on is one I take very seriously and besides making a living doing this, just didn't want the hassle with all the stuff going on the new strokers...



I watched the Dodge trucks in the 80's when I worked in the oil fields and they just didn't hold up as well as the Fords and why I just stuck with the Fords. I will be the first to say the Dodges are nothing as they use to be from what I see on the ones I looked at and drove, as well as the one I bought. I hope to get tips of things to do on this Gote from this web site as they are shared with each other and look forward to visiting with everyone about mine...

 

[JApol]

Welcome to the TDR Jeb. With your truck if you turn your key on and off 3 times leaving it in on without starting your truck it will give you the codes so you can get an idea of what is going wrong with your truck before the dealer ever looks at it.
Genosgarage.com sells the service manual on CD and it has all the descriptions of the codes and the troubleshooting that the dealer should do. If you are one of the people that like to work on their own truck (like me) its an invaluable source.

I think if i made my living hauling Ford parts I don't think I would want one either.

To get your truck info to show up at the end of your post, fill out your signature

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Welcome Jeb!

Glad to have you on board, both the TDR and the Dodge bandwagons.

Hopefully this is just a small issue with your truck right now.

I would highly recommend a Smarty downloader when the '07. 5 6. 7 version is released. Will give you more power and should also provide extra fuel economy, especially important with what you do.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Jeb_H]

JA,



Now I sure wish I had known about the turning the key on and off three times before I dropped the truck off LOL... I would sure loved to know what I had for as a code on her...



Yes I am a guy that likes to work on my own stuff as you dude. I will want the manual on this truck for sure whether that is CD or the actual manual. I figure that a must for a gearhead such as I am anyway... Warranty or not



I drive this truck on my route from 450 to 600 miles a day, five days a week, so the fuel mileage is of a big concern Trent. I will be watching to see the stuff that starts to appear for these new motors for sure.



The exhaust system on this motor is unfreakin' real if you ask me, and I figure its a big problem for this motor right from the start too. Now this motor is a lot quiter just from the engine noise from under the hood, let alone how much they have restricted the exhaust flow from the motor...



I am not totally convienced our fearless Gov't. knows what greenhouse gases are worse and what gas we are going to have coming from all this stuff they have stacked out on the exhaust piping from this motor. So, me being like I am, I will be all for getting all this stuff off the back of the turbo if its possible to fool the sensors and what they are telling the ECM when it needs to do a regen. cycle to burn out the DPF.



I figure there would be a lot better fuel mileage to be had from this motor just by running a simple pipe off the motor, and to me a motor that is running good and lean and good and hot to temp, using less of our fossil fuels would be not only better for our earth, would certainly be better for my pocket. I spend between 2500 and 3000 bucks a month on fuel and the supplement I add to each tank up. So any help with this would be great LOL...



I know all about the views our Gov't has on us when we look at taking these systems off and all, I am just not all for the Gov't using me and my very limited budget to work all the bugs out, on these new exhaust systems. They can find some other persons or companies to do this and in ten years or so when they have this all figured out, then I might think about leaving that on LOL... Now that all said, unless the Gov't can get out of bed with all the oil companies and auto builders and give me a truck just like what I bought here in this Dodge-Gote', that gets 20 MPG in town driving with this new system on the exhaust, otherwise for as I am concerned they can but their head against a stump somewhere and leave me alone, as I am not in support of them other than the money the wife and I pay in every year in taxes. Once I get the Gote like she is now that gets this 20 MPG or better, they can forget it...



I like the clean air to breath as well as anyone else on this forum, I just don't think the Feds. know all they need to know about all this just yet, so they can fund this learning curve with other people and their diesel motors.



I just know what I am seeing from how they are going about things on this motor, with how the engine oil gets so black with all the extra soot and carbon and from just a few hours of running it after the oil and filter change too, and all this starwars stuff on the exhaust. Doesn't look for a good thing to me LOL...



JA,



Let me ask you dude, when I turn the key on and off three times and leave the key on, the code going to be on the overhead console, or what??? I was kind of shocked that it was not on the system check in the overhead console when a code was on anyway... Cool as everything else about this truck is and how its been built, just shocked me anyway.



Actually, I am kind of hoping for a programmer and a moniture system combined, I am hoping that will read the codes, once the aftermarket guys hit the scene with there stuff on these motors... I know I want to be able to see my exhaust temps as well as transmission temps and boost numbers anyway. I can on my ol'e Ford and love all that info... I don't mind tigging a few thermo-welds to thinks for sensors, as well as maybe a new system to help rid the motor of all this soot in the crank case on a free draft system in and out the exhaust also...



I am on Rotela T right now and want to know what you guys think of using the full synthetic Shell Rotela oil once I get a few more miles on her to get her broke in well enough??? I just think there is lots to disguss here on this motor and the possibilities it has with the help of aftermarket goodies and some homework after hours, if you guys know what I mean LOL???

 

[JApol]

The 07 CD will set you back $115 and the paper manual will set you back a good $300 but are not out yet as per Geno's.

When you do the key cycle for the codes they will show in the odometer section and will display done when all the codes have shown. Write quick, they don't show for very long but the good thing is that they are not erased when you do it.



Take the milage reading on the overhead with a grain of salt. My truck reads ~1. 3 high with stock tires and ~2. 0 high with 35's and all trucks read diferant. Compare hand calculations for a while and you will see how far off yours is and will be able to compensate accordingly.



Happy trucking

 

[Mel Swanson]

Welcome Jeb

Guys,



My first post here along with my first Dodge I just b ought also LOL... So I thought I might better find myself as well as the killer new white Gote I just purchased on 3-20-07.



I have a little over 5200 miles on her so far and she just went in the shop today much to my dismay I might add. I had a hard check engine code this morning at midnight when I went to leave on my route with her and the 27' gooseneck trailer she totes around for me now. Noticed a low voltage reading also, so if I had to guess I would say maybe the alternator may be on the way out or the voltage rectifier in it... Guess I will know soon enough, will keep everyone posted on what is found.



I hope to get tips of things to do on this Gote from this web site as they are shared with each other and look forward to visiting with everyone about mine...

When you get some time with the TDR website you may want to Click on the User control Panel. You will be able to set up your Signature and Truck profile.

I too was a diehard blue shield driver. One day I drove an old Dodge with a Cummins in it and that changed my pick-up world. At that time I didn't care much what was around the Cummins. I must say that the Cummins has made a respectable truck out of the Dodge.

Again, welcome to the TDR Membeship.

mrs

 

[Jeb_H]

I sure wish I could have got the code or codes before I dropped it off at the dealer. I picked her up today as they told me the did a software up date for the code as they found a TSB about this. I know what happened to the 05' Ford when the reformatted those trucks, their fuel mileage went from 18-22 mpg to a nice round number like 14 MPG and that is if they were lucky... Sure hope I didn't get this sort of software YIKES...



Just to be blunt the service department at this dealer really torqued me off today as the service writer told me one story and then not happy with how he wouldn't answer my questions about what the code was exactly, I went and asked the service manager, who told me a totally 180 degree spin on what the service manager said.



That was it for me at that point, as I can handle whatever is being so hush hush about the truck of mine, heck I know there will be work that will show up from time to time while under warranty, why you have the warranty. They just never should have lied to me about the truck and the TSB and what they found and did to my truck...



They had this attitude that while this truck was under warranty, it was their truck and I didn't need to know all the info about this gote'... Then to make matters worse I get in her and leave and see they put over 70 miles on the truck. Heck they had asked me if they could drive her around just for a look see on how she runs out, why I could have cared less, would have been proud to have them give my new Gote' the attention. You add this and the lies and you can stick me with the fork as I am done there...



Darn shame too, as I really like the sales guys and the parts department is just nothing short of killer... Never the less, she is hooked back to the gooseneck animal she pulls and its on the route bright and early in the morning at 12 midnight.



Mel, sweeeet truck dude, looks killer. I sure want to thank JA for the info he shared also on the key cycle trick as well as the info on the book and CD. Pretty proud of the CD ain't they LOL... The book, well that is just being a thief at 300 bucks I really guess I would rather have a hard copy, so that is going to be a hard pill to swallow, but I see know way I want to not have one really...



Maybe I can get my great dealer to swap me a hard copy when they can get them for the hard plastic bed liner kit I took out of my Gote' LOL... Seems like a fair trade after just giving me the run around, not to mention just flat not telling me anything about what they found on the controller... Thanks again and thanks for listening about all this crud today too, I really needed to dump my bucket with guys I figure know exactly how I feel about this treatment...

 

[JApol]

I would rather have the paper copy to but when I realized that the paper copy was some 4000 pages I decided not to. Granted you could take out all the gasser info but that would still be a HUGE binder to try and find a place for.

My manual shows about 8400 pages in Adobe.

 

[Mel Swanson]

Dealers.................

Mel, sweeeet truck dude, looks killer. I sure want to thank JA for the info he shared also on the key cycle trick as well as the info on the book and CD. Pretty proud of the CD ain't they LOL... The book, well that is just being a thief at 300 bucks I really guess I would rather have a hard copy, so that is going to be a hard pill to swallow, but I see know way I want to not have one really.....

I feel your pain……which is a funny political expression. Maybe this is a better oxymoron. You think I don’t care. The fact is that many of us have had some great experiences with the various departments of dealerships. Fellow members can follow the experiences of others and vote with their dollar at dealerships who have treated people right. Please take a minute and post your recent experience at: http://dodgeram.info/survey_dealer/Dealers.htm

This websit can be a good resource when we pass on the experience. 70 extra miles on the odo. I come unglued. http://dodgeram.info/survey_dealer/Dealers.htm

I am like you about the manuals. My son is ok with the tech CD, print the page or carry the laptop to the work area. Me, I prefer the hard copy with my note and stuff (added value). Now the old useless factory manuals lined up on the shelf in this order: Volvo 1989, Ford F-150/250, 1999, 2003, Plymouth 1978, Pontiac 1964 (a fast car), Dodge CTD 2001. Kenworth 2001, service bulletins.

 

[PLanciers]

That was it for me at that point, as I can handle whatever is being so hush hush about the truck of mine, heck I know there will be work that will show up from time to time while under warranty, why you have the warranty. They just never should have lied to me about the truck and the TSB and what they found and did to my truck...

Jeb,

Just exactly what was the TSB# and the issue it resolved, do we have a comphrensive listing of 6. 7L TSB's at this point here in TDR land how are those updated and who does it.

Pete

You want your truck at the right price don't Oo. pay more contact:

Adam Macomber

BusinessLink Specialist / TDR member representative
Dishman Dodge; http://www.dodge.com/commercial/
509-924-3250 / 877-568-3363/Cell 509-475-2480

Get your truck built the way you want it for $4. 5-5K under Invoice/FWP pricing...

You can pick it up in Spokane WA or have him drop ship it to a local dealer...

 

[Jeb_H]

PL,



That is just one of the things I could not get them to answer me on, was what number was the TSB, nor would they tell me what the code was...

 

[MikesCTD]

PL,



That is just one of the things I could not get them to answer me on, was what number was the TSB, nor would they tell me what the code was...

Wlcome the TDR! If you can't find a TSB on TDR for the 07 try this:

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2007-index.htm

 

[PLanciers]

PL,



That is just one of the things I could not get them to answer me on, was what number was the TSB, nor would they tell me what the code was...

Damn there ought to be someplace within Dodge to report that level of incompetence and lack of service to, no?



Pete



You want your truck at the right price Oo. don't pay more contact:



Adam Macomber



BusinessLink Specialist / TDR member representative

Dishman Dodge; http://www.dodge.com/commercial/

509-924-3250 / 877-568-3363/Cell 509-475-2480



Get your truck built the way you want it for $4. 5-5K under Invoice/FWP pricing...



You can pick it up in Spokane WA or have him drop ship it to a local dealer...

 

[BBeck]

Hi MikesCTD:



Thanks for the link. I was very interested to see TSB 14-007-06 as it relates to diesel fuel. Dodge states B5 biodiesel is approved, but you can also run B20, if you install an auxillary fuel filter (mostly to filter out water).

 

[Jeb_H]

Guys,



I changed the oil and filter for the second time last night now as I have a little over 6K on her now. I wanted to point something ouyt to all of you that have changed oil in Fords PSD motors, that when you loosen the oil filter on the Ford oil runs all out and everywhere while you finish unscrewing the filter... You guys that have done this all to well know what a PITA that is not to mention the huge mess it makes all over!!!



This CTD doesn't do that at all, just how freakin' coooool is that... At least to this gearhead that still changes his on oil it is LOL, heck; maybe I am just easy Its a really good thing though if you ask me, as with where the filter is on the 07' 6. 7 of mine, if it didn't it would get that nasty oil all over a lot of stuff I would have to clean up once done.

I just know as more time goes by with an increasing seat time in the new truck, I just love this ol'e Gote' more and more with the passing of...



Now for more info on the slight hitch I had in its get-along when I got the code and horn and check engine light. I went to fill up the Gote last night after the oil change was all cleaned up and logged in the log book under the seat.

When I cranked her up to leave(not to check for oil leak and get the filter filled after the oil change) I saw the volt meter drop off well below where the norm has been.



It dropped enough that I also saw the cab inside lights I had on dim as well as the dash lights also cause I had turned the park lights on so to see the dash as I always do when its dark. This voltage drop would come back to almost the 14 on the guage and you could see the lights all respond as it did and then it would fall back down...



It kept doing this for a minute or two and then seem to just find its way back to the norm. No code this time though, just the low voltage drops as it seem to hunt.

If I had to guess I would say it was in the voltage regulator as it was being tuned on and off...



I would have given anything to see exactly what the lowest voltage was, like if it was just plain battery voltage or if it was even lower, as that would tell me there was more involved if lower than battery voltage...



I am convienced that all my dealer did was either turn the low voltage warning system off in the ECU or changed its set points... Which if this was done by the instructions of Dodge will be fine, heck it would of been fine even if it was just the dealer doing this if they would have just told me what they was going to do...



At any rate, its only done this twice now as I watch everything like a hawk, and I can't seem to figure out what is the trigger for this. Its not anything I can put my fingers on anyway that I have noticed to be the trigger point for this or even something remotely to focus on gurrrr!!!!



I just know I want the manual for this animal, so I can educate myself, at least start and try too; on the CTD technology and how does what and when...



In the mean time, I am going to put my Fluke 87 VOM in the cab and hook that into the power socket and set it to record the min and max voltages until I see what spread of the actual voltage I have on the CTD. I know all guages are a relative instrument and the ones in the dash would be a very loose and less than perfect instrument. All we can really go by on those are what we see to be the norm...



My Fluke 87 on the other hand is a different kind of instrument and if and when I get this to falture again and have the Fluke on the spot I hope to be able to catch the min and max...



Anyone that can tell me anything about this or the TSB that relates to this, that my dealer mentioned in the paper work I got, I would sure like to know???

 

[lil red cummins]

jeb:



if it was below 60 degrees when you started your truck, you probably were seeing the grid heaters cycling. when they are in that mode, the volt gage will not come up to "normal". you should be able to hear a click as the solenoids turn on and off and the click will be seen at the time the lights dim and come back up. depending on temperature, they will should stop cycling within 5 minutes.



the grid heaters will also stop cycling if you get over 20 MPH.



hope this helps



good luck and welcome to the TDR



jim

 

[Wolfy]

jeb:



if it was below 60 degrees when you started your truck, you probably were seeing the grid heaters cycling. when they are in that mode, the volt gage will not come up to "normal". you should be able to hear a click as the solenoids turn on and off and the click will be seen at the time the lights dim and come back up. depending on temperature, they will should stop cycling within 5 minutes.



the grid heaters will also stop cycling if you get over 20 MPH.



hope this helps



good luck and welcome to the TDR



jim

Jim,



Never owned a diesel before. New truck on order.



Could you explain what a "grid heater " is?



Thanks!

 

[JFlagg]

A grid heater is an alternate to glow plugs. As the air enters the cylinder it is heated to aid in combustion. Diesel fuel + hot air +high compression= ingnition The old diesels, and some of the newer ones I believe, had a glow plug for each cylinder, i. e. 6 cylinders= 6 glow plugs. A grid heater is alot more reliable than the older glow plug system, plus if it needs replacing, you replace ONE grid heater, instead of several plugs. Anybody, If any aspect of that is wrong, let me know.

 

[Giachino]

I second the grid heater theory, it freaks you out the first time when you dont know what it is... . it dims the lights, voltage drops, definately seems like an electrical issue... . but it's normal, only does it when it's cold and on startup... .



Can the 07. 5 trucks have the high idle enabled? or is it from the factory?, that would be a usefull feature to share with our new member.....



Jeb, give this a try: Start the truck, leave in part, ebrake on, foot off brake... . turn on cruise control and select set... . if the idle advances, you can increase or decrease the high idel by using the accell / decel buttons... . you can kill it by putting your foot on the brake or by cancelling cruise control..... this is the high idle feature and works wonders for getting the truck warmed up in the mornings... . it didnt come enabled from the factory on the pre 07. 5 trucks, and that may also be the case for your truck, but something you could have the dealer enable if not.



Enjoy the new truck and welcome to tdr

 

[BBeck]

Giachino:



The dealer needs to "enable" the high idle feature and only takes a few minutes to complete.