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Dodge Ram Owner Experiences

198 messages,  Last post on Jul 20, 2009 at 5:31 AM

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What is this discussion about? Dodge Ram Pickup 1500, Dodge Ram Pickup 3500, Dodge Ram Pickup 2500, Truck

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#40 of 198 Tfuder..................... by dustyk Jun 03, 2004 (1:36 pm)
You probably have a 46RE transmission. This symptom is most often associated with a misadjusted or binding throttle (modulator) cable or sticky throttle linkage. On high mileage units I've seen cables that were binding internally. Never use a lubricant of any type on the throttle linkage or the modulator cable. Try spraying the linkage with a good solvent (carburetor cleaner) including spraying some in the cable end itself.   An intermittent Throttle Position Sensor will also cause the same symptom.   Beyond that you could have low pump pressure from a clogged filter, a problem with the overdrive solenoid sticking. Beyond that it's a little more serious (overdrive clutches sticking, bleed valve or OD check valve sticking, worn OD clutches).   Best regards, Dusty Replies to this message: blue78669 (Apr 21, 2005 1:59 pm) viperman1500 (Feb 28, 2006 8:24 pm)
#41 of 198 15/30,000 mile maintenance by iowabigguy Jun 03, 2004 (7:07 pm)
I have a 2003 Ram 1500 2WD with the Hemi. My next oil change will be at 15,000 miles. I noticed that the rear differential requires service at this point and inquired at the dealer the charges for the 15K and 30K service. I was told in the $100 range for servicing the differential, $135 range to service the 5 speed auto trans and between $150 and $200 to change the spark plugs.   My how times have changed.   Differentials used to go 60,000 without service with no problems.   I figure I can change the differential lube with no problems. I'll leave the transmission to the dealer for service. I figure I can change the 16 spark plugs on the Hemi for closer to $15 to $20.   Has anyone changed the spark plugs on a 1500 series Ram? Are there any pointers you would like to share. Are there any special tools that might make things easier? The back 2 cylinders on the drivers side look like the problem area as the Brake booster seems to intrude into the working space.   I have seen where people have suggested using brake cleaner to clean the inside of the differential housing. Would you just spray clean the housing or everything? I would worry the cleaner might cause problems with the friction material in the limited slip housing. Here again any advice is welcome.   Is the transmission something that a person handy with tools could tackle at home. I know that on the older transmissions the bands were an adjustment item but everything I seem to see on the new transmission suggests no adjustments are made, that the transmission is self adjusting. Does the service just require dropping the pan and replacing a filter?   Thanks, Rick Replies to this message: blue78669 (Apr 20, 2005 5:27 pm)
#42 of 198 Thanks, Dusty! by tfuder Jun 03, 2004 (10:31 pm)
I'll get that cable looked at first (always go for the simplest solution first, right?), then work my way up, if that's not it.   Todd
#43 of 198 Iowa................. by dustyk Jun 04, 2004 (3:28 pm)
At 10,000 miles I flushed the housing and differential on my LSD Dakota using carburetor cleaner, mostly because I had a generous supply of it handy. Carburetor cleaner evaporates very quickly, one of the reasons I used it instead of brake cleaner. Just to be sure, after 15 minutes I hit the differential with compressed air to make sure it was dry inside.   Dropping the transmission pan on most auto trannies is more inconvenient than difficult since as soon as the pan is ready to drop you have 4-6 quarts of hot ATF ready to gush out. I usually remove all but one bolt each at three corners. Then lightly pry at the corner without a bolt to relieve the pan away from the transmission case. Once it starts to drip a steady stream I loosen the remaining three bolts to allow the pan to drop more.   Changing the filter on a Chrysler is very easy. There are two Torx screws that hold the filter on. There is a small gasket that must be used with the new filter. On the 545RFE there are two filters.   Once you get the pan off you'll want to clean it up. There is a magnet on the inside of the pan that will have a lot of gray muck (clutch material) and maybe a small quantity of metal bits. I've done this to around 500 transmissions of different types and I've always found metal bits on the magnets or in the pan and they've almost always been healthy transmissions, so don't let the presence of this material excite you. You might find a teaspoon to a tablespoon full depending on the mileage. Much more than that could indicate a problem.   Chryslers do not use a transmission pan gasket from the factory, although most of the non-factory replacement filters come with one. I do not use one since a gasket can eject an opportunity for a leak. I clean the transmission pan and housing flange with carburetor cleaner and apply Mopar black RTV to the pan and allow to set for 6-15 minutes depending on outside temperature.   And of course, your 2003 should only use ATF+4.   Best regards, Dusty
#44 of 198 Lookin to upgrade by densher Jul 20, 2004 (3:31 am)
Hey there...I'm Dennis from League City Texas. I own a 1998 Ram 1500 club cab. It's time for a new truck. I'm considering gettin a trailer -- maybe a fifth wheel. Not sure how big. I'm looking at maybe getting a 2500 with the cummins. Looking at diesel fuel prices, they're at least a dime cheaper than regular unleaded and 20 cents cheaper then premium. Anyone got advice in getting either the 2500 hemi or diesel?
#45 of 198 Cummins Diesel by loncray Aug 09, 2004 (10:11 am)
I bought an '03 2500 CTD for the mileage - I don't even tow anything. If your experience is the same as mine has been, you'll love the Cummins. You can't depend on diesel prices staying below gasoline - they were higher for months - but you can depend on getting more miles per gallon of diesel than you ever would with a gas engine - esp. if you're towing.
#46 of 198 new owner by psram Nov 06, 2004 (3:52 pm)
Hello to all, just got my hands on a new/used 2004 Dodge 1500 w/Hemi. I can honestly say this is the the best truck I have ever driven, personlly speaking of course. Any how been reading the posts about miles per the gallon and the transmission discussion. I have two questions 1. I am getting around 10 miles per gallon on the city and 13.1 mpg on the highway, the truck has 10000 miles on it, now I know sometimes I have a heavy foot, but should mpg increase or is this the best I am going to get. Second how often do I need to do the service on the tranny, am I to understand 15000 miles is the point of service. Any help would be appreciated. i do like the truck and I have 3 more days to test drive it before I decide to keep it. I purchased it from CarMax so its a used truck, but is clean in and out!! Replies to this message: dustyk (Nov 08, 2004 2:38 pm) appellateatty (Jan 26, 2005 6:31 pm) dustyk (Jan 27, 2005 4:25 pm)
#47 of 198 Re: new owner [psram] by dustyk Nov 08, 2004 (2:38 pm)
Replying to: psram (Nov 06, 2004 3:52 pm) Long engine and drivetrain break-ins seem to be hereditary with Chrysler-built vehicles, although I can't speak specifically about the new Hemi. My 4.7 started to give steady 18-19 after I got 15K on it.   There seems to be a wide range of owner/driver reports regarding fuel consumption on the Hemi from people I've actually talked to. About half are getting 14-15 MPG fairly steady. I've had several tell me they've broken 17, but a slew of others are in the 10-13 MPG group.   If you drive it like a Hemi I'm not surprised if you see low mileage. The easier you are the better the fuel mileage.   As far as transmission maintenance, your automatic is the 545RFE. On the Dakota the "normal" scheduled service is at 60K for the same transmission. Maybe with the Hemi it's less, but 15K sounds too early.   Good luck, Dusty Replies to this message: appellateatty (Jan 26, 2005 6:31 pm) dustyk (Jan 27, 2005 4:25 pm)
#48 of 198 2.7 TD in Dodge Ram 1500? by hwyhobo Nov 14, 2004 (3:01 pm)
My apologies if this question is in a wrong forum, but I have originally posted it in the "Dodge Ram 1500" discussion area, and had the thread immediately locked up by the moderator and instructed to post it in "Meet the Members" (huh?). Anyway, here it is. I hope there is someone lurking here once in a while. --- Does anyone know if DaimlerChrysler has any plans to sell Dodge Ram 1500 with the 2.7 TD engine (and standard transmission, preferrably)? For me, and I suspect many others, who would like a full size truck for light duty around the house and for vacation escapades (and occassional commute), this would be a perfect combination of sufficient power, excellent gas mileage, and comfort of a Dodge Ram truck. Replies to this message: hwyhobo (Nov 14, 2004 5:37 pm)
#49 of 198 Re: 2.7 TD in Dodge Ram 1500? [hwyhobo] by hwyhobo Nov 14, 2004 (5:37 pm)
Replying to: hwyhobo (Nov 14, 2004 3:01 pm) I just got an answer from Chrysler (I am impressed with the speed of their customer support, if not necessarily with the content of the answer). Here is the relevant fragment:   "At present there are no plans to introduce a 2.7 TD engine in the Ram line-up. However, with constantly shifting market trends I would hesitate to discount the possibility of new products on the horizon, specifically designed to suit your needs. Please feel free to check back with us [...]"

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