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Pickups Dodge Ram Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra vs Dodge Ram
206 messages, Last post on Aug 01, 2009 at 4:06 PM
You are in the Dodge Ram Forum. Your Host is kcram
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Hi guys, I need some help here. I own an '06 Ram Turbo Diesel with about 24K miles on it. My first diesel, love it so far in every aspect. I do have a problem with it when it is cold, at start and for about 5 to 10 minutes, the lights dim on and off and the volt meter's needle goes down and back to normal as the lights act out weird. The dealership tells me it is a normal thing to do on a diesel engine when is cold, but it doesn't sound right to me, specially because It some times does it when I stop after a 50 mile trip or more, turn engine off for 5 minutes to go in a store or fuel up and when I re start it does it again with the engine warm. I was wondering if any of you have had this problem and if it is, as the dealer said "normal". My truck starts in the coldest winter day at first crank, and my average fuel economy is 18-19 mpg (crew cab 4x4 auto trans) Thank you!!! 
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Replying to: kcram (Feb 17, 2007 8:33 pm) But with all of the plow jockeys and landscapers using the 1500 series when they should've had a 2500 or 3500, towing above the rated limit, with the transmission in overdrive, using Dexron-Mercon fluid instead of the correct ATF+, I think those 45 and 46REs did pretty darn well. Compare that to the 4LE60, 80 series that went through the sun gear failures, direct clutches breaking, reverse boost valves sticking causing high line pressure and breaking low reverse and 2nd bands, input shafts wearing prematurely, intermediate sprag failures, burned forward clutches from excess forward drum travel, I guess only a person having a love affair with GM would think that GM transmissions are better than Chryslers. (And I haven't even mentioned the GM toilet TH200.) And, oh, try to rebuild one (properly) without breaking a freakin' reluctor gear!! Bests, Dusty |
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Replying to: aperjo (Feb 18, 2007 8:02 am) I would be suspecting a bad electrical connection or a borderline battery. Regards, Dusty |
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Replying to: kcram (Feb 17, 2007 8:33 pm)  Rocky
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Replying to: aperjo (Feb 18, 2007 8:02 am) It is normal. It is the intake heater grid cycling in the "post start". I believe there is mention to it in the owner's manual. Three people I know have and 03, 05, and an 06 CTD and they all do it here in Ak. Steve
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Replying to: rockylee (Feb 23, 2007 5:26 pm) Morgan
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Replying to: morganv (Feb 24, 2007 11:27 am) Listen, Dodge transmissions break just like those from GM or Ford or anybody else, really. I personally know two people that own (owned in one case) Titans and they both have had transmission trouble already. But that doesn't mean they'll all suffer the same fate. When you're in love with a particular brand you'll inherently find a convenient way to forget problems you've seen with your pet brand, and remember everything bad about something else. That's what causes selective memory and exaggerated statements. Because you're in love, you must believe that anything else is less than your favorite brand. With all of the problems GM has had with their machinery, the worshipers must point out all of the flaws in other brands, especially if you're going to lose $2000-4000 on resale because of piston slap. Prior to '98 the Dodge A500 and A518 transmissions and the 45REs had insufficient oil flow to the overdrive unit. This caused advanced oxidation of the ATF and subsequent loss of clutch friction material in extreme lower temperatures or when towing heavy loads near the max in overdrive. When operated in accordance with the operator's manual, meaning turning the overdrive off when towing in hilly country or at maximum tow rating, and regular maintenance, these transmissions would last a lifetime. After '98 problems with the 45 and 46REs seemed to fade significantly. The oil flow fix and some other enhancements makes these transmissions as good as the competition in the same range. In my experience too many of these earlier 1/2 ton Dodge transmissions required repair or rebuild because they were used above the maximum rating, or for plowing, or because they were never maintenenced. (Unless properly equiped, you're not supposed to plow with a Dodge 1/2, just like Chevy and Fords.) Still others had Dexron-Mercon used in them which will always mean certain death in a Dodge truck transmission. The 47RE in the 3/4 and 1 ton Dodges were never much of a problem. Most certainly less of a problem then I'd see with 4LE80s in 3/4 or 1 ton Chevrolets. The 47RE behind the Cummins proved to be marginal for the same reasons the 45RE could be problematic in 1/2 ton chassis Dodges. Now there were intermittent problems with shift solenoids for a while, and dirty ATF in a Dodge will probably choke the anti-drain back valve and restrict fluid flow sooner than in most other designs. However, in an EO4D or a Hydramatic you'll operate with dirty fluid longer but when the transmission does fail you'll be looking at a $2500 to $3500 rebuild because the pumps like to fail on Fords and other things like to wear (input shafts, forward clutches, reverse piston bore wear, etc.) on a Hydramatics. That was yesterday. The 48RE in the Cummins is strong and has been very reliable. The 545RFE has been exceptional. In fact so exceptional, until very recently no one other than Chrysler made a rebuild kit for this transmission! And it's been out since MY 2000. This is now the only transmission used in a V-8 RAM, V-8 Jeeps and 4.7 Dakotas. Best regards, Dusty
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Replying to: morganv (Feb 24, 2007 11:27 am) I told him to buy the proven Duramax because this new truck is the highest quality HD on the market with a proven motor. I said the new Ford HD, might end up being a good truck but it's not proven. His Dodge, has had some quality issues with the interior and exterior and like he said like all dodges the engines will out last the body. He does have a point with that based on what I've seen. Dodge makes a pretty good engine but the body's aren't up to snuff IMHO.  Rocky
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Replying to: dustyk (Feb 24, 2007 1:56 pm) I've never known anyone with Piston slap. I've heard about this but never known anyone to have this problem. Well based on looking a bluebooks GM, has the highest residuals out of domestic trucks.  True Market Value makes the gap even higher. Ford is #2 Dodge #3 Rocky
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Replying to: rockylee (Feb 24, 2007 10:03 pm) The Duramax has not been a stellar performer. As far as truck bodies go, oh please! GM's bodies are the worst. Around here you will see GMs with rust perforation in 6-7 years. My last Chevy had rust through at the end of five and had more rattles and squeaks than a B-24 with 30 missions. Rusted cab mounts, rocker panels, bottoms of front fenders, rear wheel lips rusted through. In contrast the RAM is the longest lasting full-size pick up sold in America and they typically go 9-10 years before you see perforation. As far as resale, if you just look at the Blue Book price at end of term, yep, you'll see a larger number for a Chevy or GMC. But they also are sold at a higher average rate. The true resale is the difference between what was paid and what the vehicle returned at the end of term. GMs don't do so well when held to this standard. Yeah. The GM deity lives! Dusty
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