TSB issued on window tint scratching

[LPChristensen]

Hey guys, need some help. I noticed tonight that the window tint was getting scratched on both the front windows and I have read some of the posts on this subject in the past. I am sure that I am going to get the run around when I visit the dealer about this. Does anyone know if there was a TSB issued on this? My 03 was manufactured in May and I read that some came with the felt and some did not and I believe that I am one of the lucky ones without.

 

[sag2]

TSB is not out yet, but the new part numbers are as follows

You need two of each. If you have a quad and only tinted the rear, you would only need those. No sense pulling door panels for the front if there is no tint there.

55276897AC-std cab front

55276896AC-quad cab front

55276895AC-quad cab rear

 

[Bill Littlefield]

Sag2,



If there is no TSB out yet, what do we tell our dealer? I mentioned it to my dealer here in Oregon a couple months ago. He sent me back to get more info. The service and parts manager both said they had not heard of anything and until they do or I get something concrete, they aren't going to give up the goods. Any suggestions will be appreciated.



I added aftermarket tinting to the front windows on my quad cab. They are scratched like Sh**, you know what. The back ones don't seem to be scratching but they don't get used much. We have a lot of valcanic dust in these parts and it's got glass in it. It scratches everything including the windshield. Nasty, Nasty stuff.

 

[sag2]

Have them call STAR and ask. They should have it before the dealer would.

 

[crabjoe]

Forget Star or what not. When a dealer tells you they can't fix it because there is no TSB, SSM or check engine light, ask them if they need a TSB or what not to fix a shock that's leaking? Bottomline is that they need to fix it if they see the problem.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

I guess I don' see why you feel that Dodge should pay for it. You added something aftermarket to your vehicle that was not intended to be their so that is your problem. If it were scratching the factory glass that would be a different deal.

 

[LPChristensen]

Mopar_Mudder, I understand your point about why should DC be responsible. My answer is that this is the fifth or sixth Mopar product that I have purchased, my third Dodge Ram, and here in South Texas, you have to have window tinting, there is just no way around it. NONE of my other Mopar vehicles have ever had a problem with Scratching and this tint job is less than 2 months old and both the front windows of the quad cab have long, top to bottom, scratch marks. I would assume, that if I ever used the rear windows, which I do not, they would be in a similar condition. That would lead me to think that something is wrong with the parts that guide the window glass or the method that were used to manufacture the parts. I don't think that there would be many after market window tint companies in operation today if you installed 2 or 3 hundred bucks worth of tint and it lasted 60 days or less! And by the way, it was a nationally know tint company, not a fly by night, just opened today and closed tomorrow tint shop.

 

[TBrennan]

I am confused. The factory tinted rear glass is "impregnated" into the glass itself, right? There is no external tinting to scratch, AFAIK. If the dealer or you added aftermarket tinting to the front (not available from the factory) then Dodge isn't responsible.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Originally posted by LPChristensen

Mopar_Mudder, I understand your point about why should DC be responsible. My answer is that this is the fifth or sixth Mopar product that I have purchased, my third Dodge Ram, and here in South Texas, you have to have window tinting, there is just no way around it. NONE of my other Mopar vehicles have ever had a problem with Scratching and this tint job is less than 2 months old and both the front windows of the quad cab have long, top to bottom, scratch marks. I would assume, that if I ever used the rear windows, which I do not, they would be in a similar condition. That would lead me to think that something is wrong with the parts that guide the window glass or the method that were used to manufacture the parts. I don't think that there would be many after market window tint companies in operation today if you installed 2 or 3 hundred bucks worth of tint and it lasted 60 days or less! And by the way, it was a nationally know tint company, not a fly by night, just opened today and closed tomorrow tint shop.

Can you still order factory tinted front side windows down their in the big state? I know in the southern states you could get tinted fronts right from the factory and up north here law states that only behind the drivers head can be tinted



I was going to check at one time to see if you can order front tinted glass right from Dodge, can't imagine it would be too cheap though... .....

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by Mopar_Mudder

Can you still order factory tinted front side windows down their in the big state? I know in the southern states you could get tinted fronts right from the factory and up north here law states that only behind the drivers head can be tinted

This may open me up for an "Idiot of the Year" nomination but I have a bit of experience in this area. I had some kind of coating on my windows that was invisible when they were completely dry, but if there was any moisture in the air I could still read the "$2500 Rebate" residue on my windshield and other glass. So I got me a bucket of soapy water and a Scotch Brite pad and scrubbed all my windows. Unfortunately for me I also ended up with very fine swirled scratches on all my glass, including the side view mirrors. I immediately replaced the front windshield for a total of $350. It was one of those come-to-your-place deals.



I asked a lot of questions and was told that the replacement windshield is the exact factory replacement that comes with the spooted sun screen around the edges. I was also told that factory-tinted side windows for the front are not available; only the back glass can come factory-tinted. He told me that the side windows will run close to $350 each. He said the rear windshield is cheaper, but I'm looking at replacing it with an after market windshield with a power sliding window in it, but I'd like to get one with a power cord long enough so I can route the switch to the center piece in the overhead console.



I also asked him how the Scotch Brite pad could have scratched my glass the way it did, and he told me that it shouldn't have, but that the paint that spells out "Scotch Brite" on the pad could have. I was surprised to hear that the material to use is very fine steel wool (0000?). He said it was safe for glass AS LONG AS IT IS KEPT WET WHILE BEING USED.



And now I really need your vote for Idiot of the Year 2003.

 

[Briman]

CRUNCH - I hate learning stuff the hard way.



As to the window tint. It is not impregnated in the glass (as it should be). The tint is indeed a coating on the interior of the glass. My truck was a dealer trade out of Las Vegas and has a lighter shade of tint on the front door windows as well. I don't know if it was added at the Vegas dealership or came from Dodge that way. It has the same edge as the rears, so maybe it is factory. The good news is that non of it is scratched, and the windows get used alot, all of them. The bad news is that it is coming unlaminated at the bottom of the passenger side front door window, by the lower weather strip.

 

[LPChristensen]

Had my truck down at my local dealer last week because it was throwing a "341" code, but that is another story. While there, I had them look at the aftermarket window tint scratching, and, will wonders never cease, they saw it, agreed that it was a problem, and said they would fix it under TSB 23-025-03. Of course, the bad news is that the parts needed to repair the problem are on back order and have been so for several months. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. They also claim that they are not responsible for replacement of the window tint, which I find a little puzzling since it was a DC part that caused the problem in the first place. But I guess a half of a horse is better than no horse.

 

[fraserrj]

I have a 04 larimine and the passenger window barley rolls down but I was told that there is a lubricant you can apply to help this problem from a freind that works at a honda dealership.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

Originally posted by LPChristensen

Had my truck down at my local dealer last week because it was throwing a "341" code, but that is another story. While there, I had them look at the aftermarket window tint scratching, and, will wonders never cease, they saw it, agreed that it was a problem, and said they would fix it under TSB 23-025-03. Of course, the bad news is that the parts needed to repair the problem are on back order and have been so for several months. But there is light at the end of the tunnel. They also claim that they are not responsible for replacement of the window tint, which I find a little puzzling since it was a DC part that caused the problem in the first place. But I guess a half of a horse is better than no horse.

Why would they warrent something that didn't come on the truck, why sould they?

 

[brillmtb]

I have the 03. I dont think the fronts are tinted.



Do all the Rams need these parts upgrades to prevent scratching or do the parts apply to only early vehicles, etc?



How can I tell if I have the right wipers?

 

[LPChristensen]

Mopar_Mudder, I would assume that they are putting this problem under warranty because it was their fault, that most other vehicles have enough clearance, soft linings or whatever to not cause the customers aftermarket tint to be damaged. As I understand it from the dealer, several months worth of vehicles left the assembly plant in Mexico without the "felt" lining installed, most likely one more great cost cutting measure by DC, at the customer's expense. If they issued a TSB on it, they must feel some responsibility. The TSB is TSB-23-025-03, check it out.

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

Peel the moulding back and check the surface for felt . A naked plastic/vinyl suface where the window touches will indicate the old style. Just some advice, if you choose not to have them replaced,or do it yourself in about a half hour for all four,keep this area extra clean and use a rag or Q-tips to prevent wind blown grit and arm dirt from embedding in the vinyl and doing its job on the glass.

 

[Mopar_Mudder]

That TSB isn't listed on the TDR site?

 

[Bill Littlefield]

TSB

Mopar Mudder,



That TSB is listed on the Dodge site. Here is a link.



http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2003/23-025-03.htm

 

[brillmtb]

The TSB seems to apply to aftermarket tint. Does our stock tint have the same issue. Is it in the glass or on the glass?