Turbo Actuator Stuck

[PMalin]

My friend has a 2014 dodge ram turbo diesel, and his check engine light keeps coming on. I took my code reader and found it had thrown several codes relating to the turbo. Most codes would delete, but it kept throwing a code about the position of the actuator being beyond it's expected range. I figured it would likely be the actuator's "encoder" or position sensor could be the problem. He would like to consider replacing the actuator by itself, but some shops want to replace the entire turbo and actuator without any further consideration. Any suggestions for a best fix for this?
1. Can the actuator be replaced without changing the turbo also?
2. Can a cummins part, either actuator or turbo or both be used, or must one buy from Dodge?
3. Any further information on this would be helpful.

Thanks

P.

 

[Joe Mc]

I'm not real familiar with the newer trucks, but Cummins makes these engines to Dodge specs. You should be able to get anything related to the engine (sensors, turbo, filters etc.) from Cummins. Hopefully someone with more knowledge than myself will post up and provide more help. Good luck!

 

[BigPapa]

Yes, the turbo and actuator for your truck are available separately from Cummins.

There seem to be many different ideas and theories as to why the actuator fails but, I can tell you that the actuator has changed SEVERAL times, so my opinion is the problem is in the actuator and they haven’t gotten it right yet. The latest revision is Cummins part number 5494878RX. Availability is always spotty so it may or may not be available right now.

-Scott

 

[mwilson]

This is going to be a very rare case where I highly recommend either a trip to a Ram Dealer or a Cummins Dealer that can interact with the Ram software....

Why you ask??? Because if the replacement part fails and you did not have the repair performed at an authorized Cummins facility you have NO Warranty on the replacement turbo and / or actuator. On top of that it may not even be an actuator failure....
Cummins is tired of replacing perfectly good turbos and actuators that were changed under warranty due to a mis-diagnosis....many times there is another issue and the malfunctioning actuator is a symptom, not the cause.

I have attached the warranty bulletin from Cummins stating what I say above....too much money at stake to take the truck to Joe's Repair and Bottle Redemption for an actuator or turbo issue.....

 

[BigPapa]

Good call, Mike. I wasn’t aware of that bulletin as our warranties are done through one of three dealers. I just know I hand out quite a few actuators to those dealer’s techs that work in our shop and as long as they bring me one back I know it was warrantied. Yes, they are crazy expensive.

-Scott

 

[mwilson]

Another issue to watch for is when the turbo/ actuator assembly part numbers supersede up through the Cummins system the final latest and greatest turbo DOES NOT have the actuator and is not included. I just had one of my top guys get bit by this a couple weeks ago..quoted the turbo price not realizing the actuator was not included all of a sudden..I had to step in and eat some of the actuator cost...

 

[BigPapa]

We’ve not been “bit” since I’m not quoting for sale. The 4955488RX is the only VG turbo we use that still comes with the actuator.

-Scott

 

[sag2]

I just looked, the actuators are $2500, the turbos are $5-6k depending on application. A service contract would pay for itself on this repair.

 

[BLNRAY]

if you buy just an actuator it is probaly going to have to be calibrated before and after install which you will need Cummins Insite for

 

[cerberusiam]

If you can find somebody to actually work on the turbo instead of just swapping parts it can probably be fixed fairly simply. Too many times the codes say actuator and that is only a symptom. Most of the VGT issues can be fixed with a few spare parts but finding someone to do it and know what they are doing is the problem. If you want warranty then you are at the mercy of the dealer or a shop that will work on it.

Just for comparison, reman actuators are under $1000, a new can be found for around $1000, doesn't help if it doesn't fix the issue though.

Since it is a Dodge platform doubtful the Cummins warranty is going to mean anything, it will be thru a dealer and FCA that anything fixed for warranty. If the truck is out of warranty and you don't need it immediately I would send the turbo to a rebuilder and have them fix it.

 

[Joe Mc]

WOW!!! So glad I've maintained and kept my 2nd gen!!!

 

[PMalin]

Thanks for all the replies, the info is appreciated.

P.

 

[BigPapa]

Just wanted to let everybody know. I was getting quotes for a 5494878RX Actuator for a bus today. The last one I bought, in April, cost us $1076 plus $166 core. I can buy one today for $350 plus the $166 core.

 

[CAROLINA CUMMINS]

Wonder if that part number would work on HE300VG in '13+???

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,obd

Thought I would post this here I found on Cummins Forum where they say you can calibrate the actuator using the AlphaOBD:
https://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/...5873-alphaobd-turbo-actuator-calibration.html

"I just did this last weekend. I was planning on pulling off the turbo and cleaning and rebuilding it. But once I took the actuator off, I realized that the turbo was fine and the Actuator arm moved freely from end to end. So the actuator must be faulty.
I used the calibration tool to reinstall the actuator and it did the pre-alignment and calibration. My actuator didn't sound too good while the gear was rotating so I know it's gone bad.
I put it back on anyway so I can drive the truck until I can get a new actuator.

Point is, the AfaOBD app is able to calibrate the actuator!
I am ordering a new Actuator and will post my results with calibrating a new(good) actuator once I get a chance to do that.

Here are some screenshots from the App:

With the actuator removed from the turbo, begin the calibration process:


https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1FlvIvaB4dlGHpZiPpvo-JKbv16kpxd7l


Then install the actuator (make sure the VGT arm on the Turbo is in correct position)"

Anyway, just a LITTLE more info for the old toolbox.

Cheers, Ron

 

[BigPapa]

I know that’s the part number for my buddy’s ‘15. Shoot me an ESN or. VIN and I’ll check.

 

[BigPapa]

Just to let those interested know, the 5494878RX is the correct Actuator for the '14 CAROLINA CUMMINS asked about.

I only have ESN's for '14, '15, and '16.