NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V042000

[Mad Max]

Just came across this...



Recall Alert: DODGE TRUCK RAM

Owner Notification Date: 2/27/2002

Number of Units Potentially Affected: 268,740

Component Description: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR:REGULATOR:STARTER:OTHER PART

NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V042000

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Description of Recall Campaign: Vehicle Description: Pickup trucks. The alternator wire connection to the power distribution center (PDC) can loosen.

This could cause a vehicle fire.



Dealers will inspect the installation of the alternator wire connection to the PDC and if necessary, reposition the wire so that the crimp connection will face upward and tighten the fastener to the correct torque setting. DaimlerChrysler has not yet provided NHTSA with an owner notification schedule. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

 

[dresslered]

Hey Max-

I posted this same thing a few weeks ago and received hardly any responses. I WILL NOT take it to the dealer, but instead looked at the connection myself and could see no possibility of a short at the PDC. My truck was included in the range of recall. Have you noticed anything different?

 

[Mad Max]

I ordered mine w/o the factory towing pkg, since I planned on buying a heavier duty hitch; long story short, no tow pkg. , no trailer wiring. In the course of installing the Dodge trailer wiring kit I sourced the power for the lamp relay from that lead on the PDB, so I'm pretty sure mines tight, and if it looked like it might short, I figured I would have been concerned when I installed it.



She's sitting D. O. A. @ the dealership @ present for another reason, but when I get it back I'll recheck it, no doubt.



MaX

 

[dresslered]

Hey Max-

Sorry to hear about your DOA. Mine died with only 7-miles on the odometer right after I wrote DC a check for it. They had it for a week awaiting a new Cam Angle Sensor. Hang in there and it will all work out. While the dealer has the truck anyway, have them check for the recall alert. At least it will make them feel useful.



I ordered the factory towing package and it sure made hooking up the auxillary back-up lights easy. As far as the camper wiring though, I put my own "real" harness in.

 

[Mad Max]

Thx 4 the encouragement.



I absolutely love the engine, I'm even found of the rigs styling, and my spouse likes the interior. Basically, we both "like" it. As of late I've been plauged with electrical non-sense and nusence interior rattles that approach my Phraud F series experience.



I hope this is just rough patch in the relationship and not a sign of things to come...



Reckon I could stuff that ETH and DEE into the engine bay of a late model S Class?

 

[dresslered]

Reckon I could stuff that ETH and DEE into the engine bay of a late model S Class?

Cool.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

sounds liuke a ploy ....

to get trucks in for involuntary emissions reflash and bomb inspection .



i'll be checking mine myself ...



i do have to take mine in for a water leak in the cab , i'm going to hide the DRB connector port so i don't get something i didn't plan on , a decrease in mileage and performance ...

 

[fj40charles]

Good point Mopar-Muscle. I don't trust the boneheads at the stealer. I'll just inspect it myself and be done with it. I don't want a reflash on the ECM without my permission.



Charles

 

[joel]

if you have a good dealer....

Just tell them you ARE NOT TO REFLASH the ECM. If you have a good dealer, they'll follow your wishes. If you tell them this, get them to write it down, too. That way, if they do it anyway and screw something up, you might have some recourse.



I made sure I told mine that every time I went in for something. When I finally was comfortable they had worked out all the Nox/low power/power fixes from what folks here were saying, I told 'em to go ahead and flash it.



Then again, I have a good dealer.

 

[Mad Max]

FYI, for EPA reasons they (your stealership) is required to place label(s) under the hood/on the ECM if they flash it, so you should see evidence of this, but that won't help you get your old calibration(s) back.



MaX

 

[Mopar-muscle]

also for EPA reasons they are required to reflash for emissions whether the customer wants it or not . i may just cut the connector off the end of the harness .

 

[Snow man]

In thinking about this,the dealer flashing your truck without authorization must be illegal. They are not allowed to perform work you do not authorize,first off. That truck is your property,not theirs. If there needs to be a reflash,it should be issued to all owners by the Federal government,or EPA,and all should be reflashed. If it is not needed,which it clearly isnt,and not authorized,there is no clear reason for it to be done. If the dealer asked your permission,and told you of the possible effects,and you gave it,then fineI wouldn't have a problem with them flashing my truck,if i knew about it,and if it didnt affect performance or economy. I had mine flashed for the high idle,and I lost between 3-4 mpg,i didnt lose any power that i can tell though. Had I known I would lose that much mileage i never would have let them flash it,I would have done something different to fix the stalling.

 

[JR2]

Someone posted a while back about putting a very small padlock through the hole in the center of the computer connection they use to program your truck. I am going to do that next time... ...

 

[Chipstien]

Oh no.

Please tell me that they won't reflash my ECM. I'm picking it up from the dealer in an hour, (new center consoll). I will be pi$$ed if it comes back with less power.

 

[Chipstien]

How will I know if they have reflashed it. Where is the ECM located in the engine compartment? I'll post back after I pickup my truck.

 

[obert]

Chipstien: your ECM is on the lft side of the engine, under the manifold. its a big rectangular black box with alot of wires. Lokking at wont tell you a thing though. Any ECM reprogramming must be accompanied by a sticker ( mine has on the ECM AND the under side of the hood), i suppose for warranty reasons.



Snow man: I had mine reflashed and didnt see any drop in milage, but im probly on the low end of CTD owners anyway with my lead foot . I noticed a quirk though-- used to be, and more often in the winter or long trips using cruise, when i came to a stop somtimes the idle would be 100-150 RPM higher with NO power off idle. Let the clutch out and it stopped faster than when you shut off the key. Now, when coasting (clutch engage last 50 ft. before an intersection) the engine remains at that same slightly higher RPM, but drops back to normal upon comming to a complete stop. Its odd, but at least i dont suffer the embarrasment of stalling out a big red diesel pick-up and looking like a fool . Also i had the high idle put on, wich works well, but it hasn't been cold enough for the 3 cyl idle to kick on yet...

 

[Chipstien]

Thanks Obert. I'll look in the morning to see if it has been reflashed in the 7 times it has been to the dealer. ( All for broken hinges/tabs in the center counsel/compartment.