Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) T C Erratic lockin - unlocking, another fix?

[Tom W]

T C Erratic locking - unlocking, another fix?

Maybe this will help if you have this problem.



A little background first. I had this problem first when I got the Bank's Ottomind and it was fixed with the reflash. It would recur occasionally and I would clean the battery terminals and other connections and it would go away. It started again a couple of months ago and got progressively worse. Fortunately I have a DTT Smartbox and with the box turned on it prevented unwanted unlocking but I could still feel it on certain conditions. With the box off it got to the point where it was a constant unlocking - locking between 45 - 55 mph. I tried a noise filter with no success and was about to replace the APPS. I called Bill Kondolay and he said it was probably the APPS or the batteries. The batteries were Diehard less than 2 yrs old but batteries were cheaper than an APPS. One other little thing I noticed was the "check gages" light would stay on a little longer the normal- about 20 sec. after all the other lights went out.



Well, as you have probably guessed by now I changed the batteries and everything is great. The engine has never run smoother - now at 104 K miles.



I got the Champion XLT at Sam's for $99 each. This battery looks like an optima except the top is black, it is spiral wound, sealed, guaranteed full replacement for three years and prorated for 9 years. It is rated 1000 CCA at 32 degrees and 700 CCA at zero.



Tom

 

[Breck]

Great post!



It is information like this that makes the TDR such a great place.



I'll keep this post in mind when my truck starts doing the aforementioned, again: Luckly cleaning the post has worked for me so far.



V/R



Breck

 

[Snow man]

hum,my truck just started doing this,this winter. I also have the smart controller,and with it on,it doesnt do it. but with it off,it does it bad. My batterys are original,and I know they are gettign weak. Time for new ones I guess. John

 

[Tom W]

Just a followup on this. It's been almost two months since I got the new batteries and my truck is still running great. Not one unwanted unlocking. This may jinx it but so far so good.

Tom

 

[RichB59]

Hey Tom,

Thanks for the info. I never would have thought batteries would cause the problem. I'll keep this in mind. Thanks again.



RichB

 

[pwr2tow]

Just about everything on these trucks is run by some kind of electronic device. I have been having an engine related problem lately and thought about cleaning the battery posts, Yup, the problem no longer exists. A good thing to keep in mind whenever a person is having just about any problem with our trucks is power source. I even thought I had a lift pump going out once and found out (after I change the lift pump with a new one) that it was the relay in the power distribution center under the hood that was making contact and then not making the pressure pulse.



Check the power sources first, even the batteries.



Ron

 

[Tom W]

I guess my last post was the jinx. The erratic locking and unlocking started again. I bit the bullet and bought an APPS. Just finished the install and everything seems OK but I'm not going to stick my neck out and say it's fixed. Does seem to run smoother.



Bill Kondolay warned me the batteries probably were not a permanent fix, he was right as usual.



Tom

 

[RamBob]

Past 2 months I have been going through this problem. Changing sensors out, pcm and such. It actually went away for 5 days, but returned today. what is the APPS and where is it. How much does it cost. Have 109 mi. on it now with very few problems. until the past 5 months. Few electrical switches and wiring has started problems, one after the other. thanks

 

[Tom W]

Well. I just wasted $400. Replacing the APPS ( accellerator peddle position sensor ) didn't fix the problem. I cleaned the connections again and the problem is gone for now. I'm at a loss for a permanent fix.



I am going to put an ad in the classified to sell the APPS. It's the most recent part #53031575AF for an automatic transmission, 24V. Less than 100 miles use. I'll sell at a pretty good discount.

Pm me if any interest.



Tom

 

[kennethh]

Did you get the reflach done? Because I just put in the same batteries and all seems fixed now.

 

[24VChev]

Re-Calibrate

When you replaced the APPS did you recalibrate it? You need to do this everytime you unhook the batts.



1) unhook batts for 30 min

2) hook up batts

3) turn key to the run position, do not start

4) push the go pedal slowly to the floor and back three times

5) turn off key

6) drive truck.





This helps get rid of the locking problem on the 99's and under.

There is also a reflash available from Dodge 18-02-99. This maybe a more perment fix.





Malcolm