2002 Dodge RAM 1500: check engine light

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Body, Engine · 54,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. However, the check engine light had illuminated after the failure occurred. The vehicle was merged to the emergency lane and restarted the vehicle. Also, the vehicle over heated multiple times. In addition, the dashboard began to crack and later collapsed. The contact noticed that the crack was near the air bag and could potentially inadvertently deploy the air bag. The failure caused the entire instrument panel to malfunction. The contact stated that the pieces from the dash board fell into the air vents causing the A/C unit to malfunction. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician stated that the engine and dashboard needed to be replaced. Also, the technician stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 54,000.

Filed Jun 14, 2013 · Airbags, Brakes · 117,320 miles · MI

There was an electrical failure in the wiring system from the fuse block this is known to be a common problem with the dodge rams the ABS light, brake light and airbag light as well as the engine light all come on also the odometer and speedometer also stop working. This stops the ABS system from working as well as the airbags I have had to change the fuse block as well as the rear speed sensor, and the dash cluster because of this over a three year period now, the first time all of my lights stopped working as well as the dash gauges and door locks. Why is this and ongoing problem with this and nothing seems to get done about it the first time I got a copy of a service bulletin and dodge tried to tell me it was only good for diesel models and I have the same issues. There seems to be a real history of these problems with this vehicle and the dealers are all aware of this.

Filed Aug 19, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · 89,600 miles · TX

Shortly after entering highway 281, my engine fell on it's face. I pushed the gas pedal but got nothing but RPM's from the engine. I began to move over to the right with no power, little steering, a dash full of error lights, and doing my best not to get hit by passing vehicles. Once I got to the side of the road, the engine wasn't running. I started the engine and checked my gauges. The check engine light was on, the water temp was near the red zone, and the engine sound like bowling ball in a dryer. There was fluid on the ground or smoke from the tailpipes so I felt it was safer to get off the highway with the truck. Near the exit, I pulled in a station where I checked the truck and top-off the water. The sound was like a dropped rocker arm. I had the truck towed to the dealer where they from the "factory" coating inside the oil pan had delaminated and was sucked into the pickup tube. The coating then plugged the screen and pickup tube. I called dodge cares and they tried to blame me then the oil. I told them I've never used additives, always use mobil one, and I had receipts dating back to the day I drove the truck off the lot new. They claimed this was a non-issue and it had not be reported before now. I have always taken very good care of my vehicles and to be told a manufacturing error is my fault does not set well with me. Now I have to replace the whole engine because some engineer was dumb enough to coat the inside surface of the oil pan. I normally travel during the night into early hours of the day. What if this had happen while I was out in the middle of no-where. I'm handicapped; I couldn't have walked a quart of a mile for help. What if my 70-year mother had been driving my truck at the time! This could have been real bad!!! And then to be told it's non-problem. I have pictures if you want to see them.

Filed Aug 6, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 126,932 miles · NJ

Air conditioning works fine, as long as the vehicle is moving. When stopped at traffic lights or intersections, the A/C gets warm, as if the condenser is not working. When starting up again, it gets cold after a bit of time. Searched the internet, and found this is a problem that occurs often, and many said check the fuse #39. On aug. 1, I checked the fuse, and found that the plastic and metal parts of the fuse had melted onto the spot it was plugged into. All of the other fuses seem to be fine, but there is a tiny chunk of metal I cannot remove from the fusebox to plug in another fuse, nor do I want to plug in another fuse, as I don't know why the previous one melted. I am not sure if this is covered in any recalls. Also, when I tried to have the truck inspected, it failed for the check engine light, and there are several recalls listed in the possible cause list for the code that registered in the inspection machine.

Filed Apr 10, 2012 · Engine · 97,000 miles · CA

My 2002 ram van 1500 6 cyl engine failed state required smog check. The check engine light went on prior to this. The smog report showed 3 cylinders out of 6 were misfiring. The diagnosis was damaged valves and lost compression. After the mechanic opened the engine he found both heads to be cracked. He also found problems with the water pump and radiator. The total cost of repair was $3100. After further investigation I found out that there are thousands of 1500 engines that failed for the same reason. As with the other owners I changed my oil at regular intervals and maintained the vehicle properly. I had a 1997 1500 in which the same thing happened. Dodge denies responsibility and blames the sludge build up on poor maintenance. Since it was no longer under warranty I was forced to repair it. There should be a national recall of this vehicle's engine and I should get reimbursed by dodge for the repairs. I unfortunately didn't have a choice but to repair the engine but fear that the design defect will result in subsequent failure of the same nature. Dodge should be held responsible for this. Please help.

Filed Oct 24, 2008 · Electrical, Engine · PA

1) interior blower fan: (24,000 miles) fan would shut off at times. First told by dealer the air intake was blocked with leaves and they cleaned it out. Two weeks later, I got the recall that the wiring harness for the blower was overheating. I had the dealer do repair for recall. They clipped the two lighter wires and replaced them with two 10 gauge wires. Fan still shuts off due to tilting steering wheel with heavier wiring not being flexible enough. Wires still get very hot. 2) radiator fan control relay: (90,000 miles) check engine light came on and code was for radiator fan control relay circuit. Relay was replaced. 3) engine: (129,000 miles) oil sludge caused oil not to circulate properly causing oil pressure gauge to drop to zero and back up to normal about 4 times. Engine over heated, warping heads and doing interior damage to rods and bearings. Engine had to be replaced with used engine. 4) passenger window switch: (for the past 20,000 miles) passenger side switch works intermittently. 5) parking lights: (149,000 miles) was informed by another driver that I had no tail lights. Checked fuses and relay and everything was ok. Took truck to garage, they checked and could not find a problem. Garage called dodge dealership, they told them it would probably need the front control module replaced. The garage did not charge me and told me they did not want to just start replacing parts costing over $200 trying to pin point a problem and I needed to take it to the dealership. The dealership checked it and told me I would need to replace the power distribution module and the front control module due to both having an internal short. Why bother having fuses if you can just have circuit boards costing over $200 each blow out? 6) ignition park lock: (149,000 miles) got a recall notice about ignition park lock needing replaced. Dealership repaired. This truck definitely has its share off defects, with the engine and wiring. More should be done as far as recalls.

Filed Aug 3, 2007 · Fuel system · SC

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 dodge ram 1500. He stated that the engine light remained illuminated when he cranked the vehicle. He noticed the vehicle would rough idle when he came to a stop. The dealer stated that the codes indicated there were vacuum leaks in the fuel system. The current mileage was 34,000. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Filed Dec 26, 2006 · Engine · 90,000 miles · WA

My engine light come on about two weeks ago. Hooked it up to a car reader and the code is a 1491. Which means radiator fan control relay circuit. I called the dodge dealer here in enumclaw washington and they told me $500 to fix. So I called my mechanic at cascade automotive in enumclaw and he explained to me the situation. If I replace only the relay if may be enough but the $500 cost the dealer is charging is because of the wiring harness burning up and cause a fatal situation. My mechanic has seen a number of these through his shop. This needs to be addressed by dodge corp. And paid for by them.

Filed Oct 23, 2006 · Electrical · 123,296 miles · GA

Dt*: the contact stated the check engine light illuminated while driving 55 MPH. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, and a computer diagnostic identified a failure to the condenser fan relay, due to an undersized fuse. A technical service bulletin, # o8-002-03, was issued by the manufacturer, which stated the fuse was not large enough and the condenser fan needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted.

Filed Mar 14, 2006 · Acceleration, Electrical · 78,598 miles · MI

Dt*: the contact stated while applying pressure to the accelerator pedal the engine sputtered. The check engine, airbag, and check gauges lights illuminated. The dealership was alerted. Updated 03/28/06

Filed Feb 28, 2006 · Engine · 38,000 miles · DE

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 65mph, the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was pulled off the road and the engine shut off and restarted. Once the vehicle started, it took 5 minutes for the power to be completely functional. The check engine light illuminated previously when the vehicle lost power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however the problem can not be duplicated.

Filed Jun 23, 2004 · Transmission · DC

Problems with vehicle's transmission.*mr the vehicle was taken to the dealer on three different occasions because of the engine light illuminating, the first time the dealer stated it was a transmission problem and the computer would need to be replaced, the second time the engine light illuminated again and the dealer stated it was sending the same code and they would replace the solenoid. The third time after having no transportation for three days, the consumer and his wife were told that a ball bearing in the valve body of the transmission was in the wrong place.