Attention: TDR Forum Junkies I have a problem. My PAC Brake is not functioning properly. I have had it for about 5 years and until recently it has been great.
A few months ago, if I did not turn it off at idle, it began to cycle on and off every few seconds until I started up again. It still worked properly when moving. Then, a few days ago, it stuck on and of course I had high EGT, no boost, no power. Turning off the control switch on my gear shift console made no difference. In trying to touble shoot what was wrong, I turned off the engine and began inspecting the intercooler hoses to see if they were connected. Then, I noticed that every 15 to 20 seconds the Pac Brake compressor would rattle like it was trying to operate even though the switch was off and the ignition key was out of the ignition!! I then started the engine, removed the PAC Brake Fuse and immediately the Brake turned off and the truck ran normally.
We were on our way from New Mexico to the St. Louis area for the holidays, and we continued on our way with no more difficulty. While in St. Louis I took it to a well recommended diesel shop. They tried replacing the manual switch, the relay on top of the Pac Brake Compressor and the Throttle Position Sensor. None off those made a difference so they took them all back off. Sometime during the time the truck was in the shop, the brake apparently became unstuck, but again began to cycle on and off while idling.
When I picked it up the shop owner said he thought the problem was the ECM. He said that since they are so expensive, perhaps I could get a secondhand one. Looking on the internet, I have seen a couple in the $700 to $800 range. But another concern is - Are they VIN locked and therefore would not work on my truck? Also, is it possible to get Dodge to reprogram them if I get a used one.
We are heading back to New Mexico tomorrow or the next day and then I will have to try to find some way to get it repaired. We are full time RVers and tow a 17K to 18K trailer so I must have an exhaust brake.
Any ideas or comments on the Brake and the ECM would be appreciated.
Bill
A few months ago, if I did not turn it off at idle, it began to cycle on and off every few seconds until I started up again. It still worked properly when moving. Then, a few days ago, it stuck on and of course I had high EGT, no boost, no power. Turning off the control switch on my gear shift console made no difference. In trying to touble shoot what was wrong, I turned off the engine and began inspecting the intercooler hoses to see if they were connected. Then, I noticed that every 15 to 20 seconds the Pac Brake compressor would rattle like it was trying to operate even though the switch was off and the ignition key was out of the ignition!! I then started the engine, removed the PAC Brake Fuse and immediately the Brake turned off and the truck ran normally.
We were on our way from New Mexico to the St. Louis area for the holidays, and we continued on our way with no more difficulty. While in St. Louis I took it to a well recommended diesel shop. They tried replacing the manual switch, the relay on top of the Pac Brake Compressor and the Throttle Position Sensor. None off those made a difference so they took them all back off. Sometime during the time the truck was in the shop, the brake apparently became unstuck, but again began to cycle on and off while idling.
When I picked it up the shop owner said he thought the problem was the ECM. He said that since they are so expensive, perhaps I could get a secondhand one. Looking on the internet, I have seen a couple in the $700 to $800 range. But another concern is - Are they VIN locked and therefore would not work on my truck? Also, is it possible to get Dodge to reprogram them if I get a used one.
We are heading back to New Mexico tomorrow or the next day and then I will have to try to find some way to get it repaired. We are full time RVers and tow a 17K to 18K trailer so I must have an exhaust brake.
Any ideas or comments on the Brake and the ECM would be appreciated.
Bill
