Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Update on the truck Dying.

[viper700]

I am new to the Diesel world. I just bought a 2004. 5 DRW 4WD AT in Idaho and drove it back to Alaska where I live, about 3000 miles. I expierienced the engine stumble 5 times. It was with power on about 60 mph and always when topping out climbing a hill. I did not notice any changes in the guages. I had the dealer put in the Di Per Col guages and the double deep pan on the transmission. It seemed to happen with Cruise control on but I'm not sure it was every time. I will check the battry cables and grounds. I bought this to haul a 36' 5th wheeler that is in Yuma right now. I am really amazed at the power this truck has.

 

[Joe Mc]

Wow! this post is pretty old. Hope all is well w/TTMT's truck. I just wanted to add something that may be of interest and hopefully helpful.



When I first started out w/my old 64 Dart GT (back in early 70's, couldn't afford the 340 wedge I wanted) my neighbor suggested something to me after looking under the hood. He was a retired electrical engineer and had been around the block a few times more than me so I follow his simple instruction and ever since then have done the same to all my autos.



The instruction was; remove battery, clean dirt & grime from all 6 sides (top, bottom, etc. ) with soap & water, dry well, clean up posts until shinny with sand paper or whatever if you don't have post cleaning tool and re-install, secure the battery to the body. Take connections and clean like the posts. Here's what I would never have though of - throughly coat all contact surfaces with petroleum jelly then assemble, tighten and re-coat w/p-jelly.



The theory behind this (coating w/p-jelly), he explained, is "if air can't infiltrate, it can't corrode". As far as cleaning all sides of the battery, he explained "if there's no way for current to travel from + to - posts (via oils & grime) the battery will last longer and keep a good charge. Sometimes the simplest things are overlooked and are the culprits of demons.



As far as p-jelly - we now know about dielectric grease which is probably more suitable?



My $0. 02.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Wow Joe thanx for askin and yep allmost a year later and visited alot of states and one country and still no issues with that garble again.



Vipe yep check out the connections as it may yeild the same results. Heck I look at it as the cheapest and most basic viable diagnostic step you can take. Granted yours is an 04 and 7/16ths but you may want to root arround in the 3rd gen forums to make sure you are chasing the right dog. (btw . . "I am really amazed at the power this truck has") ... Juuuust wait

 

[SnoKing]

TMTT, did you replace the batteries somewhere along the line of this problem? I saw you say that you were going to have them tested. These trucks need really good batteries. The Battery is a filter for electrical noise! SNOKING

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Nope 4 years later and still not a hiccup. I replaced my batteries about 2 years ago with a set of red tops but other than that an the PDC nut backing out all has been good.

 

[Joe Mc]

Tool Man! I just took a cruise on your Mods List 'n Pics . . . Awsome truck dude really sweet looking dually especially with the BFG Mudders, dang dat one heck of a burnout too!

 

[bnbrown]

Curious if any of you on this old post had some of these issues, I just had a new VP installed, and now the truck has the no-BuS, no gauges (except tach), truck runs at maybe 50% power, no over-drive (the TC seems to be not locking), ccd on overhead.

 

[ChrisOlson]

Curious if any of you on this old post had some of these issues, I just had a new VP installed, and now the truck has the no-BuS, no gauges (except tach), truck runs at maybe 50% power, no over-drive (the TC seems to be not locking), ccd on overhead.

BN brown



this exact thing you describe happened to my wifes durango I was out of town out on a job and i could not deal with it long story short she spent 3600 dollars and still did not fix it



i came home changed the battery fixed everything right now.



I had been calling the dealer and asking/ telling them to change the battery they would not.



went to the regional then national customer service we were reimbursed 50 percent



my 2 cents



good luck