2008 Dodge RAM 3500: windshield wiper failure

Filed May 29, 2019 · Visibility · 226,000 miles · KY

Driving in rain and wipers went slow like losing voltage or power then just stopped. I had this happen once before but when they seemed sluggish I just had mechanic replace the motor. The motor is less than 2 years old. I read about wiper motor issues but my VIN doesn't seem to be on there. Not sure but hoping it can be added. Will take back to mechanic and see about transverser which are the arms under the cowl that move the wipers per the motor. If still having issue has to be wiper recall due to moisture right? Have replaced alternator already due to low voltage so it can't be that. Replaced batteries when I replace alternator. Everything else electrical working just fine.

Filed Dec 29, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 91,000 miles · MT · fire

On three different occasions, the tipm has failed on this truck. The first time the vehicle was under warranty. Second one happened in 2013. The third time in dec of 2015. All three times the motor quit in heavy traffic and the dashboard went off. The tipm box then started smoking. I disconnected the battery cables. On the third occasion, I was delayed by heavy traffic in getting to the battery cables. The truck was on a steep grade. The horn started honking, wipers and windshield sprayer activated, and then the vehicle tried to start itself and move forward. If I had been under the hood, I would have been run over. Also, this truck was pulling a trailer on a mountain pass with no power steering, brakes, or trailer brakes due to this problem and made this extremely dangerous.

Filed Sep 27, 2015 · Electrical · 172,000 miles · MS · fire

Arrived at lowes, left the truck running out front of the store while undloading riding mower to return. When we came back out vehicle had shut off and smoke coming from under the hood. Lifted the hood and noted fuse box smoking. Jumped back in truck and made sure engine turned off and key out of ingnition. While waiting for friends to towe the truck, wipers started horn and alarm started then car started up and took off across the parking lot. Luckily there were no vehicle or persons in front of the vehicle when this happened and was good thing we waited outside for friends instead of returning inside the store. My husband was able to jump in the truck, but without the key in the ignition he was unable to brake the truck or steer the truck, so because it was a manual he was able to get it out of gear and apply emergency brake. Sadly after this occurred I have discovered even more horrific incidences where this has happened to people while driving leaving them without steering or brakes. Dodge is aware of the problem and still no recall. I've even seen this described as a "common occurance".......really ! No crash or fatalities this time, but by the sound too many near misses and who knows how many have been caused by this problem.

Filed Aug 5, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 95,000 miles · NC

After my son purchased his 08 mega cab 4x4 , his signal lights started crossing, in other words when you turn on left it signaled right and wipers don,t function exactly right when changing lanes traffic thought we were going right and they went left on the interstate and we almost collided both going to the left

Filed Oct 24, 2014 · Visibility · 68,000 miles · WA

While traveling in heavy rain, the wipers started to operate in intermittent mode, even though the switch was set to continues operation. Minutes later, they seemed to quit altogether. Using window wash would get me the normal four swipe function, so I had to continue under this pattern. As I continued, the wiper function would occasionally return to full, or intermittent function without regard to switch position (except off). The next day was dry, and the wipers operated normally, and local dealer could not find a problem. In the next rain, the problem returned after about twenty minutes of use. I returned to the dealer, but rain had stopped, and so did the problem. It has now been about three years of dealing with this issue, and still I get nothing but frustrated shrugs. This problem can arise within minutes of rain, or thirty plus minutes, but does not happen if I run the wipers without rain. I did one experiment when the truck had been parked outdoors and it started to rain. Without moving, I started the wipers and let them run. They operated normally for more then an hour before the problem started, so I believe airflow is getting water some place that is causing the problem. After informing the dealer, they want to do a very expensive trial and error, now that the truck is out of warranty.

Filed May 7, 2012 · Electrical, Steering · 140,000 miles · OR · fire

Owner of 2008 dodge 3500 dually was driving down road when fuse box caught fire. Windshield wipers started continuously squirting and smoke came out from underneath hood. Going 75mph with horsetrailer in tow, vehicle without warning, shut off leaving owner without power, lights, steering or brakes while windshield wipers still squirting continuously and wiper blades not working. If this happened 1 hour later owner would be dead as next part of road has extreme downgrade with curves. Vehicle was towed to nearest dodge dealer where fuse box was replaced at owners expense. Took vehicle home 6 hours later new fuse box fuse blown and wires starting to melt again. Took vehicle into local dodge dealer and traded in for different truck. When dodge/chrysler engineer flew in to examine old fuse box the box was burnt to a crisp. Both local dodge dealer and dodge/chrysler engineer were told vehicle in question is unsafe and will kill someone. Owner was told truck will be sold at auction "as is" and sent out of the local area. Owner still has old fuse box for evidence.