Something Broke

[C M McCormick]

Hello all, coming back from vacation (pulling 10,000lb 5th wheel) on I-68 west toward Cumberland MD and we started hearing a sound like the fan was hitting something. I pulled over didn't see anything no fluid lost etc.. We continued on and it became worse. We pulled of at exit 47 and went into the Love's truck stop. By that time it sounded like taking a hammer hitting a metal pole. Metal to metal. This is toward the back of the engine i.e. sump part of oil pan, bell housing flex plate torque converter, turbo. Chrysler road side assistants was contacted and the truck was taken to a dealership in western Cumberland.

To complete our trip having around 190 miles to home my brother came to the rescue with his 96 quad cap 3500 5 speed 12 valve dully.

When our truck went on the rollback it had 5,564 miles on it. 2018 Ram 2500 long bed 2 wheel drive automatic.

I will be calling the dealership at 0730hrs Monday morning. We still have some camping to get in yet. We will see...

 

[Wiredawg]

Sorry to hear about your problem and hope it's nothing serious. Its pretty unnerving having problems on the road. The APPS on my 02 3500 started going out in a trip with my 18Klb 5er in the middle of nowhere. Fortunately for me, I had read in the TDR about the problem and had seen how to resync it.

Glad you had family to help out and still have warranty to cover it. Let us know what they find.

Cheers, Ron

 

[sag2]

I have seen one case where the flex plate started making contact with the adapter housing. Both Ram and Cummins engineering were in contact with the dealer, but they never really indicated what they were looking for. Made lots of measurements but only ended up replacing the TC, flex plate, and adapter. It was not the thrust bearing on the crank.

 

[DavidC]

Sounds like TC/flexplate.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Did the sound change as you applied more or less pedal?

I am guessing flex plate also.

Had one come loose that Bill Kondolay installed twice and did not loctite the second time. Not a good sound.

 

[C M McCormick]

Thanks for all your responses. sag2 and DavidC I'm thinking you all my be on to something. I did have one strange down shift I believe before all this started. While this was going on I did check my vehicle info having a SLT and my trans, coolant and oil temps where normal and I still had I'm thinking 45PSI boost. If anybody else have any ideas please chime in..

Thanks
Craig

 

[gsbrockman]

45 psi boost is waaaaaaaaay outside stock parameters.

 

[dieselshadow]

45 psi boost is waaaaaaaaay outside stock parameters.

This. If you’re remembering correctly, something is very wrong. If you’re tuned, you’ll be paying for the repairs regardless of any warranty.

 

[C M McCormick]

Nope haven't done a thing, it's bone stock and for now I'm not planning on doing any type of performance mods. Its nice to go out and tow and not having to keep an eye on exhaust temps etc.. As for the boost could be mistaking it for something else. Since my truck is 185 miles or so away can't really check that for now.

Craig

 

[DavidC]

I had 2 flexplates crack on 2 different Chrysler products back in the day and it does sound like he**. Maybe if it is that it is one or more bolts backing out.

 

[C M McCormick]

Cummins12V98, yes the sound changes with RPM. The more R's the louder the noise. Like the fan is hitting something. More of a metal on metal sound.

Craig

 

[DavidC]

Cummins12V98, yes the sound changes with RPM. The more R's the louder the noise. Like the fan is hitting something. More of a metal on metal sound.

Craig

The flexplate is like that, like someone is beating with a hammer at a very fast rate.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Cummins12V98, yes the sound changes with RPM. The more R's the louder the noise. Like the fan is hitting something. More of a metal on metal sound.

Craig

YEP

 

[EDankievitch]

I had the flex plate fail on my 89. Made all kinds of noise as I recall. Chrysler had a “Silent Recall” as I was told didn’t cost me a dime. Hope that it works out the same way for you.

 

[C M McCormick]

Update; They got my truck in earlier this morning and this was what the Service Manager had to say, "all flex plate and torque converter bolts were checked and appeared to be all mated. What was found was the starter was engaged into the flywheel (flex plate). That the bendix must have shorted out". He said if I needed to get home I could drive it but that would be good on the starter or flywheel. Long story short I told him I was home and needed the truck ASAP he said hope to have it done Wednesday. As for the 45psi boost now that I think about it thinking it was my oil pressure. I come out of an 02 so still getting my feet wet with the 4th gen.

You all have a nice evening
Craig

 

[Cummins12V98]

I would make sure the teeth of the flex plate are not damaged.

 

[C M McCormick]

I would make sure the teeth of the flex plate are not damaged.

Yep was thinking the same thing. The tow truck driver told me he a picked up a Ram 2500 Hemi about 2 weeks ago. Said the guy had been out camping and when he came back to the truck the computer would not recognize his key. Set at the dealership for 2 weeks. Makes you wonder if my key was telling the computer to start the truck. Like I said first time with the 4th gen I still have a lot to learn.

Craig

 

[Tuesdak]

The "key" is a decoration... they, 2018, all have push button start functions. You just "tap" they key in start position and release it: the truck will automatically start. Even if you release the key the truck will continue cranking till the engine starts. Or it times out. It also kicks the starter out on it's own even if you are holding it in the start position. Kinda cool vs. old school holding the key in start at times.

A hung in starter is pretty loud. Not sure that's what you were describing... It may have been partially hung up and tapping the gears before finally hanging up. I would have them check the starter for damage like something bent in the old starter. Something else could have clobbered the starter and it's a symptom not the problem.

 

[NIsaacs]

A hung in starter is pretty loud. Not sure that's what you were describing... It may have been partially hung up and tapping the gears before finally hanging up. I would have them check the starter for damage like something bent in the old starter. Something else could have clobbered the starter and it's a symptom not the problem.

I agree, an engaged starter sounds just like an engaged starter, ready to go into orbit. A hammer sound on metal don't sound right for a starter.

 

[C M McCormick]

After the dealership had my truck all week the starter finally made it after 3:45 Friday afternoon. Once installed come to find out that it is not the problem. Flex plate is still hitting the starter....

ETA: What is the sad part this could have been known much earlier in the week. This repair called for a reman starter not a new one. Last Monday there were 3 new ones in Cleveland's distribution point.