Dodge 2005 - 2500 Diesel

[alpaca-farmer]

So we finally after the holiday had it towed to a garage that we finally found that the guy claimed to know diesels and willing to work on it. SOO we have it towed over after our own conclusions that there wasn't power getting past the ECM and informing him and he basically convinced us we are probaly clueless and it's a groudn failure and bring it in. He figured he'll have it down in an hour or so. SOO the day passes that he was working on it - noon he calls (after starting at 9) and he too say well yes power isn't getting past the ECM and is workign on finding out why. Soo 4 o'clock rolls around and at $70 an hour I was getting impatient and wanted answers...so I cruise over there to see him up under the hood but spotless dirt hands and paperwork, no clue what sort of engine he was working on cause ours was dirty! lol Soo he went into saying he was fairly certain it was the computer being fried and that all the grounds were good. BUT that even tho earlier he said he could order and do up another computer he now informs me he can't and I would need to take it to a dealer. Now I had in the mean time talked to Chrysler - they said if I wanted any warranty to cover it since it's under 100k dealer would need to diagnosis it and they may pay 25-40% of the repair bill not including diagnostics and tow. SOO after paying this guy $350 (haggled it down but he wouldn't realize it for any less) and $200 for our tows we towed it home. We found a company on ebay that programs and mails out computers and it's guaranteed and lifetime waranteed so we're going to give it a try and change it out ourself. Fingers crossed can't afford any more issues with this truck as it's not paid off yet...

So just wanted to let everyone know and thanks everyone for the help!

 

[Diamondpilot]

I hate that for you but why in the world would you let anyone work on something under warranty that was NOT THE DEALER? I know you though you may have saved a few bucks on a tow bill but now you are going to be out way more. Do not mess with a reprogrammed computer, just get it to the dealer and let them work on it.

I know many people feel the dealers are too high priced but my experience is if you can not fix it yourself the dealer is usually about the same price or cheaper and warranties work compared to a independent shop. Case in point is my dads out of warranty Corvette. He took it to 2 shops that spent his money, misdiagnosed it, thew parts at it, and $2000 later it still was not fixed. I finally took it to a large GM dealer after talking to the states Corvette Club President for a recommendation on a mechanic and they fixed the problem for just over $900. We ended up taking back to them for other work that totaled $3000 but the moral of the story is he wasted $2000 when it only cost the dealer $900 to fix it with a warranty.

Chris

 

[sambotoby]

if it has less than 100k get it to a dealer no matter what it takes

 

[alpaca-farmer]

Dealer doesn't have a diesel tech and would of needed to outsource it and didn't have anyone readily available!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Dealer doesn't have a diesel tech and would of needed to outsource it and didn't have anyone readily available!

So you are left holding the bill and with out a truck all this time? This would be the last Dodge I owned, even if they were free and made of gold. Just because the dealer does not have a tech that is not your problem. I would be down there standing naked in front of his store holding a sign until they got someone in and fixed the **** thing. They would not sell another vehicle period at that dealer until mine was fixed. If I got kicked out by the police I would take out a full page add in the local paper or something. I mean come on its a 4 year old truck under warranty and you are left out in the cold???? Does not add up to me.

Chris

 

[WH401]

Dealer doesn't have a diesel tech and would of needed to outsource it and didn't have anyone readily available!

Where's the nearest Cummins dealer? or even a good diesel performance shop could probably help you out.

 

[rgc53]

one more thing you should check ! The wires in the steering
column that go up to the switch , check where the wires meet
the terminals , look for broken or disconnected wires,
I had that problem with my truck Ram 2500 ,v10
every time I brought the tilt sterring wheel up the wires would
get tight ,eventually two wires broke , the Dodge Boys
put in just enough wire and no extra !

RGC

 

[Dmace]

That would be the last Dodge I would own then. I mean come on, the dealer can not service what they sell?
Chris

This would be the last Dodge I owned, even if they were free and made of gold.
Chris

Give me a break with the "This would be the last Dodge I owned..." crap, get off your high horse Furd already.

This is NOT a Dodge problem, it's a DEALER problem and could happen to any manufacturer. My local GM and Ford dealers don't have Diesel techs either. They send you to another dealer over 1 hour away, find a new dealer not a new truck...
At least it's not a Powerstruggle Furd with a bad head gasket. Try getting a dealer to fix that!

 

[Diamondpilot]

Give me a break with the "This would be the last Dodge I owned..." crap, get off your high horse Furd already.

This is NOT a Dodge problem, it's a DEALER problem and could happen to any manufacturer. My local GM and Ford dealers don't have Diesel techs either. They send you to another dealer over 1 hour away, find a new dealer not a new truck...
At least it's not a Powerstruggle Furd with a bad head gasket. Try getting a dealer to fix that!

Has nothing to do with Dodge. You can buy a vehicle at that dealer but they can not service it? Come on. If I had that problem with my Fords, Nissan, or Saturn I would do the same thing. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. He is getting the run around and not getting any resolve.

The best service I have gotten on any vehicle I have ever owned was at the Dodge dealer I bought my Ram 2500 Hemi from. I was there with a recurring problem and they covered it out of warranty for free just to shut me up. It was only right, the truck had been in 6 times for the same issue. Trust me, they got it right the first time and that is what I expected, if not I let them and everyone on the lot know.

I will not comment on the rest. We all know which is the best HD truck. The sales numbers prove it.

Chris

 

[RollTideRam]

I can think of another thing the most people did, that does not make it a smart thing. JC