Ram Active Air Sytem Operation and Facts

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I'm posting info on the Ram Active Air System that I researched from the Internet and YouTube. I hope this establishes a baseline of information on it and that folks with more info can contribute so we can fully understand this critical system installed on our Ram Cummins trucks.

I am amazed how little information that is published about the Ram Active Air System. I purchased the factory service manual (CD) for my 2017 Ram 5500 C&C and it is not even mentioned, except to remove the connectors for the door actuators when replacing the air filter box. So the search continued.

I spent much of today viewing videos and reading bits and pieces on the Internet to learn some about the Ram Active Air System and a common problem with it. There is a single actuator motor that opens and closes a butterfly from the fender and from the front grill. There is a single linkage between the two butterflies so that both are not fully open or closed at the same time.

The default configuration is the fender well butterfly is open. So, most of the time, we are drawing air from the fender. Apparently a combination of engine demand, temperature (under hood or air temp) causes the actuator to close the fender well butterfly, which is connected to the butterfly for the front grill opening, allowing more forced airflow. Taking bits and pieces from reading, either the windshield wipers being on and/or some other sensor detects moisture that closes the front grill butterfly and opens the fender well butterfly. Although not stated, I believe the fender butterfly or the grill butterfly are fully open at the same time and there is no intermediate configuration, like both partially open, except when transitioning fully open and fully closed.

Note: the fender well has a tube like a dryer vent hose connected to a plastic 90' fitting and that vent hose is subject to collapsing and/or having varmints getting in it. From the Motor City Mechanic video on YouTube, if you get a code P2280 and a message to change air filter and air filer is good, collapsed or blocked fender hose is possible cause. The collapsed vent hose caused the ribbed rubber accordion hose connecting the air box to the downpipe feeding air to the turbo. Very interesting. He cut off most of that fender hose and chucked it. You could replace it with a piece of PCV pipe. Check that video. https://www.bing.com/videos/search?...F8EE6E37C65285F331C9F8EE6E37C652&&FORM=VRDGAR

Cheers all, Ron​

 

[Jrsweet16]

wiredawg, what are ur numbers like now after the modification, ur getting more engine noise n more turbo noise i know that, but how bout mpg numbers cuz thats what im really aiming for, mines a 16 2500 CD CREW 4x4 limited, im not worried bout pulling power cuz thats yyy i got the dang thing to begin with, WE ALL KNOW THEY CAN PULL, let me now id really appreciate it, cheers

 

[Wiredawg]

I haven't modified or replaced my air box and not likely to. Mine is working without problems and I had a bad experience with an AFE air box on my previous 2009 Ram 4500. It kept throwing mass air sensor codes. So, although I don't criticize folks replacing their air boxes, I'm not replacing mine.

It's a good idea to know how it operates and what can go wrong with them so you can fix it on the road if necessary.

I am purchasing a Stealth Module however to give a little more power. It's plug and play and will function I believe like the old Edge Tow Pro module on the 2nd ans 3rd gen 5.9Ls. I'll post on that after I get it and install it.

cheers, Ron

 

[Jrsweet16]

I haven't modified or replaced my air box and not likely to. Mine is working without problems and I had a bad experience with an AFE air box on my previous 2009 Ram 4500. It kept throwing mass air sensor codes. So, although I don't criticize folks replacing their air boxes, I'm not replacing mine.

It's a good idea to know how it operates and what can go wrong with them so you can fix it on the road if necessary.

I am purchasing a Stealth Module however to give a little more power. It's plug and play and will function I believe like the old Edge Tow Pro module on the 2nd ans 3rd gen 5.9Ls. I'll post on that after I get it and install it.

cheers, Ron

sweet, i heard bout that mite do the same, good luck let us know thanks

 

[Cummins12V98]

As soon as he mentioned previous body work I knew the damage was caused by them. Missing fasteners is another clue.

 

[Wiredawg]

Yep I saw that too likely damaged from previous wreck. I've had problems with varmints, both field mice and squirrels. My truck is stored inside, but we camp a lot whete critters are. I may pop my fender well out and clamp some screen wire on mine. I don't think this is a wide spread problem, but good to know about the plumbing and what it's made of.

I'm hoping one of the Ram dealership techs chimes in and gives us the details of what sensors/inputs cause the computer to operate the actuator. Could be air mass, temp, turbo demand, and other inputs. More curiosity than anything else.

Just had a thought of contacting Motor City Mechanic if he could post how the Active Air System works.

 

[Newsa]

In cold weather , I get an occasional message saying it needs serviced. But goes away when warm

 

[pcdavis]

Yep I saw that too likely damaged from previous wreck. I've had problems with varmints, both field mice and squirrels. My truck is stored inside, but we camp a lot whete critters are. I may pop my fender well out and clamp some screen wire on mine. I don't think this is a wide spread problem, but good to know about the plumbing and what it's made of.

I'm hoping one of the Ram dealership techs chimes in and gives us the details of what sensors/inputs cause the computer to operate the actuator. Could be air mass, temp, turbo demand, and other inputs. More curiosity than anything else.

Just had a thought of contacting Motor City Mechanic if he could post how the Active Air System works.

I camped in the Shenandoah mountains a couple years ago and there were Chipmunks running around my campsite. A couple months after returning home, I went to change the air filter and found what was probably 2 cups full of acorns in the bottom of the air box.

 

[fitz011]

I was getting a single ding sound w/a message "service air filter soon" or thereabouts. This after changing to the filter. Followed the mentioned video & there it was....almost completely collapsed cheap cardboard hose. Pretty much cut like MCM did. No more probs.

 

[2013megacab]

I got the service air filter message and code. When I opened up the air filter box, the filter looked pretty good but there were several pieces of plastic film that were conformed to the ridges on the filter. I cleaned them all up, but the problem returned. I took it in for service and the tech said there was a TSB on it and showed it to me. The fix was to just remove the hose.

Al

 

[SnoKing]

I got the service air filter message and code. When I opened up the air filter box, the filter looked pretty good but there were several pieces of plastic film that were conformed to the ridges on the filter. I cleaned them all up, but the problem returned. I took it in for service and the tech said there was a TSB on it and showed it to me. The fix was to just remove the hose.

Al

What all has to be taken apart to remove the hose? Chris

 

[kthaxton]

Just the inner fender liner.

 

[Wiredawg]

The video I provided the link shows how to remove it. Leave the tire on, remove the wheel liner, and the intake hose is right there in the fender. Ron

 

[SnoKing]

I got the service air filter message and code. When I opened up the air filter box, the filter looked pretty good but there were several pieces of plastic film that were conformed to the ridges on the filter. I cleaned them all up, but the problem returned. I took it in for service and the tech said there was a TSB on it and showed it to me. The fix was to just remove the hose.

Al

Anyone know what the TSB number is for this intake hose issue? SnoKing

 

[SnoKing]

Anyone know what the TSB number is for this intake hose issue? SnoKing

My 2015 has the new intake hose in the fender well. The RAM mechanic showed me the flap that opens above the front of the tire that allowed him to reach up and feel the intake hose. Along with the tailgate and park interlock he is opening a case on the cruise control issue at higher elevations, where the boost seems to get stuck at 10 pounds and speed falls off 4-5 MPH before it down shifts and comes back up to speed. SnoKing

 

[kthaxton]

Along with the tailgate and park interlock he is opening a case on the cruise control issue at higher elevations, where the boost seems to get stuck at 10 pounds and speed falls off 4-5 MPH before it down shifts and comes back up to speed. SnoKing

Let us know what you learn.
On a side note, in the past I mentioned I wasn't 100% certain it was specific to using cruise control (at least on mine), I am certain now, that at least mine, is not specific to using cruise. Perhaps mine has gotten worse and that is why it is more obvious now, but I can definitely feel a "dead" spot in throttle travel (no cruise) when I am going up a grade. When I start to slow down, I slowly apply more throttle, but nothing happens. Boost, again stuck around 9 or 10. Then, all at once it either downshifts, or boost suddenly wakes up.

 

[p-Bar]

Great video Wiredawg. Can't believe FCA would cut such a corner. Guess it will come back and nip them in the butt.