Who had the 'Dead Pedal' issue on the 2014?

[photowrite]

snip... He asked me how many times the ser. mgr had "flashed" my truck. I told him roughly 5-6 times. His response was; "Well Bill once they flash your truck for anything and it creates problems, you will never be able to un-do the damage that was caused by the flashing. What flashing does is to change the software and computer settings. It also can completely erase part of a perfectly good software program. He contined on by saying that our problems can not be fixed due to all of the flashing having been performed. He also said that Chrysler and the dealers know this and the reason they flash or re-flash is due to some engineer thinking there might be a problem later on with the current software so he changes it and then that new info goes into our trucks.

Firstly, I'm sincerely sorry that you and other Turbo Diesel Register members are having these problems. I would agree with the input from your new, independent mechanic with one modification: "Well Bill once they flash your truck for anything and it 'may create problems' creates problems, you will never be able to un-do the damage that was caused by the flashing."

I bet he is correct, as modern vehicles are very (almost totally) computer-controlled or managed. If we don't like the way something that is computer-controlled operates, there is often very little that mechanical tinkering can do to fix or change the issue, and the computers are controlled by the OEM. One example is the common drive-by-wire accelerator pedals. If we don't like the computer programming that regulates and controls the throttle tip-in and fueling, we are mostly stuck with it. I've added additional, external springs to many late model vehicles to increase pedal feel, to help reduce my complaints about the electronic (programming) and mechanical (light spring) driver interface on my rigs. I'd like to change the programing (less aggressive) on one truck I own, but that is not an option.

Further agreeing with your new technician, knowing that new software is not necessarily better for the end user, and that some dealerships do extra stuff that was not requested (a re-flash of a PCM, a TSB, or recall), I avoid taking my rigs back to any dealer after the sale unless absolutely necessary, like for a big warranty repair. Like other software updates, including smart phones, going back to a previous program or operating system is not an option (short of swapping in an older, unadulterated PCM from another vehicle). I understand that dealerships and OEMs are concerned about liability, but also know that I have many thousands invested in my vehicles and don't want them unnecessarily molested.

My wife's 2013 VW TDI (our second TDI) came with free service (oil changes) for the first 30k... I do it myself instead. My V8 Toyota 4Runner has not had the floor mat/accelerator pedal [chop] "recall" performed for similar reasons/concerns as your dead pedal issue. The 4Runner's pedal and programming is nearly perfect, stock, since 2006, and I won't let them ruin the car.

Similarly, when my new (only 2,500 miles now) '14 RAM 2500 pulled to the right with both the OE tires and the new set I installed at 1,000 miles, I didn't seek a dealership fix because I feared a lot of hassles, wasting of my time, and possibly (probably) not getting the issue resolved. Since I knew what it needed, I paid Les Schwab to install an offset ball joint to permanently adjust the alignment settings; fixed. $300 well spent in my view, and nothing extra was done.

Again, sorry your truck has the "dead pedal".

James

 

[Bill]

James. Thank you for a great post. Have to agree totally with everything you said.

I too always take my vehicles to Les Schwab to have new tires/wheels put on, adjust anything that is out of specs. Generally, they do what the ser. mgr tells me he's already done, just to find out he either did the work and messed the job up worse or simply let my truck sit outside and not worked on it.

I change all of my own fluids and do what little work I can on it. Far far from being a diesel mechanic but enjoy it when I do fix something.

No need for me to go into any details about the dead pedal and limp mode. Already expressed my feelings on here, many many times. The fight continues, the paperwork for the Department of Justice has been filled out and mailed. Now, just a matter of time to see what the next move will be.

 

[photowrite]

James. Thank you for a great post.

Welcome sir.

I too always take my vehicles to Les Schwab to have new tires/wheels put on, adjust anything that is out of specs. Generally, they do what the ser. mgr tells me he's already done, just to find out he either did the work and messed the job up worse or simply let my truck sit outside and not worked on it.

I don't want to unfairly disparage all dealers or technicians (my bother-in-law is a tech), but dealers that I truly trust are few, only one BMW motorcycle dealer comes to mind. I do trust my work, care, and knowledge, including knowing what is over my head.

I change all of my own fluids and do what little work I can on it. Far far from being a diesel mechanic but enjoy it when I do fix something.

Same hear, far from being a trained mechanic but I'm capable of much when it comes to wheeled vehicles, mostly maintenance and careful modification.

One thing I forgot to share when it comes to simultaneous brake and accelerator operation—which I rarely do, mostly for slow-speed 4WD control—is that all my vehicles will allow at least some of this, except my wife's TDI. The manual transmission TDI quickly cuts engine power when the Go and Stop pedals are both used.

 

[AlFischer]

I have experienced the dead pedal twice. Both times I was not towing, loaded very light and the truck was fully warmed up. I wanted to pull into traffic in a stop-go mess and had about a 2 second NADA.

I am planning on taking the truck in for a 'RECALL' on the radio hub next week. I am having no problems. Should ujust ignore the recall and stay away?

 

[photowrite]

I have experienced the dead pedal twice. Both times I was not towing, loaded very light and the truck was fully warmed up. I wanted to pull into traffic in a stop-go mess and had about a 2 second NADA.

I am planning on taking the truck in for a 'RECALL' on the radio hub next week. I am having no problems. Should ujust ignore the recall and stay away?

Only you can decide if doing or not doing a recall is right for you. In my above example of the Toyota throttle pedal chop and probable floor mat theft, I knew the vehicle would return worse.

 

[muchsnow]

"Far cry from a safety issue. Much more a lack of driver recognition and execution problem.

I can tell you haven't driven one of these..........it's not consistent in the way the "dead pedal" presents itself. I'll go days at times without the truck doing it and then Bam! I have no throttle.[/QUOTE]

Same here, and the dialog usually goes along with a quicker pedal application, then nothing happening when it needs to happen, then stomping it to the floor a couple of times (WTF stated out loud), then holding it to the floor waiting for some indication/downshift indicating that it has thought long enough about what it is NOW going to do... I thought it was an "undocumented feature"..

 

[AlFischer]

I just went to www.safercar.gov and was "finally" able to find 4 complaints filed that describe the 'dead pedal' issue. None say dead pedal. Searching on KEYWORD delay for 2011 -2014 model years found 4 writeups. Very interesting that one also indicates a delay when using the horn. (Hit horn and 1 scond later the horn sounds) The searched on KEYWORD 'throttle' and found 5 hit exactly describing the problem. Tried 'accelerator' and found 6 hits. IMHO anyone fileing a complaint needs to desribe it properly and use the correct terminology and SPELLING. The search engine on this site is not as smart as Google. (If you search on DOG it won't find DAWG!)

Some of the hits were the same and I did not bother to tally them. Perhaps we need to start a campaign? I have had this problem twice and figured it wa strange or that i had done something wrong.
Sounds like a GM ignition switch re-run!

 

[Deleted member 995608]

Another problem Fischer is that their are two listing of trucks. 2500/3500 and Ram 2500/3500. Their are delayed throttle report for both listings but are they all 2013/14 trucks??

 

[MLee]

Al;
Good description, good work. Thats way there is no action taken by the Gov. Last I heard they investigated problems that had at least 15 complaints.

 

[AlFischer]

Another problem Fischer is that their are two listing of trucks. 2500/3500 and Ram 2500/3500. Their are delayed throttle report for both listings but are they all 2013/14 trucks??

The site is, unfortunately, another government mess. It's a little better than the healthcare mess, but not really a good site.
the biggest problem.
I searched on RAM 2011 - 2014. all versions. 1500,2500,3500 Tradesman, and so on. Its the WORDING that creates the problem. (also some people appear to be illiterate) What WE need to do is agree on the best wording. Your suggestions?

 

[AlFischer]

Al;
Good description, good work. Thats way there is no action taken by the Gov. Last I heard they investigated problems that had at least 15 complaints.

I wonder how many complaints there have been on the GM ignition key debacle! I suggest MANY more than 15!

 

[Cooper_D]

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