Need some help
From : steve k
Q: dodge ram 1999 318. 4x4 when a catalytic converter gets clogged or goes bad or whatever it does and causes the engine to not be able to run acts as if its ran out of gas does the clog and lack of air flow send messages to the computer that then send a message to the spark plugs not to fire a strong spark no. why would there be any valid reason to reduce the level of spark if the engine detected a problem like this wouldnt it make more sense to light up the check engine light instead. so if this truck were given to an inexperienced mechanic this mechanic might think the plugs wires rotor and cap are bad because there isnt a strong spark and when he changes all these and it still wont start he then thinks the computer has gone bad. how did he determine that the spark was weak does this sound like something that could happen cause i think its exactly what is happening to me. ive had my truck in the shop since dec 6th. its now january 5th. the mechanic first ruled out the fuel pump then he said it needed new plugs wires rotor and cap. then he said he still cant get it to run couldnt get a good spark so he thought it was the computer gone bad. so he bought a used one after we ourselves looked around and found one for way under the $400.00 he wanted to charge us and had the truck towed to a dodge repairshop so they could flash the computer. now since the truck has been at this dodge place the same mechanic calls us and says he recently discovered that this truck had a recall for catalytic converters and that we are getting a new one free of charge. recall huh lol. perhaps he might want to supply you with this recall notification and if you are the origional owner of the vehicle why didnt you get the notice yourself it is possible that it went bad and if so would be covered by the federal emmission warranty if you were under 80000 so it in fact would be no charge. what i think happened is this. it was the catalytic converter all along causing the symptoms that he couldnt diagnose. and when the truck ended up at the dodge place with skilled mechanics he was told what the real problem was. being that he now would look like a fool if he told us it was the catalytic converter all along even after i asked him if he had looked into it being the catalytic converter and he said but that has nothing to do with the spark being weak. and we didnt really need the new plugs wires rotor cap and computer he made up the story about there being a recall so we would think that wed actually still have to pay for all the new uneeded parts he just put in. he is correct in saying that the converter has nothing to do with spark energy. since it is your vehicle you should be able to go to the dealership where he had it serviced and ask them exactly what they did to it and their opinion on the problems and why it didnt run. how far off am i it is hard to say. remember that anything you get here is nothing more than others opinions as none of us has actually seen the vehicle. for a more valid opinion you might want to say a little bit more about what happened to the vehicle that sent it to this mechanic in the first place. did it break down suddenly -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving .
Replies:
From : tbone
i just hope we get a valid warning the next time instead of the it will stop any time now crap we got during that three incher or people will die of starvation around here waiting for the roads to be cleaned. i do find it funny watching heavy construction equipment graders loaders and dozers out on the roads trying to do the job of snow plows. -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving lol....ur right about that....just iamgine how 2 feet works us over. excellent time though for us that manage snow though. -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi carolina watercraft works ice angels a two footer hell we were paralyzed by a three incher here last time lol! -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving i hear ya. i havent really run into enough snow yet to have them be a problem....but they work very well for rain. hopefully ill find out how they perform with snow. praying for another 2 footer here this winter. ^ -- ------------------------------------------ laszlo almasi carolina watercraft works ice angels you ought to check into the the piaa super sporza wiper replacement for wipers that lift off the surface of the glass. i use them on my 2001 ram since the oem blades would lift as well at highway speeds. these wipers are awesome. laz my only thought is that they look like they will be just like any other blade regards snow build up. roy .
From : tbone
as the current owner of the said eighth wonder of the world 318 and son of budd i can atest to every word of his. and yes he did teach me to drive and i have had 4 accidents in 8 yearsand only one was my fault. my point just making sure you knew that there are people on here that have known budd for at least half of his life. he has never lied cheated or stole anything from me or anyone else that he knows. budd is a kind and loving father and one of my best ands closest friends. i have seen him pull off things in vehicle that would have sent must of you on the hunt for a new car. we came out with no damage on either vehicle. in closing all i ask is that you concider that maybe he is telling the truth. .
From : slick willy
i want to paint a graphic on the tailgate and the logo is in the way. i will remove it if only adhesive is used but do not want to patch & fill a pre-drilled hole. tia .
From : tom lawrence
does this include the replacement cats -- if at first you dont succeed youre not cut out for skydiving recall huh lol. there was a recent recall for defective cats - several people have reported receiving them. others have received a notice that dc is extending their warranty on the cat to 10yr/100k whichever comes last. .
From : tbone
subject new form of car jacking - not a joke please keep this circulating... you walk across the parking lot unlock your car and get inside. then you start the engine and shift into reverse and you look into the rear view mirror to back out of your parking space and you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear window. so you shift into park unlock your doors and jump out of your car to remove that paper or whatever it is that is obstructing your view. when you reach the back of your car that is when the car-jackers appear out of nowhere jump into your car and take off! your engine was running and they practically mow you down as they speed off in your car. and guess what ladies i bet your purse is still in the car... be aware of this new scheme that is now being used.just drive away and remove the paper that is stuck to your window later and be thankful that you read this email.. i hope you will forward this to friends and family... especially to women! a purse contains all of your identification and you certainly do not want someone getting your home address. they already have your keys! -- bill p. just dog & me .
From : tbone
i just purchased a 2001 dodge dakota sport that came with a factory installed class 4 trailer hitch receiver but not the ball mount. can i use a straight ball mount or do i need to get one that drops how to i base this on the hight of the truck or the trailer id be pulling both the truck and trailer height...and its a class iii hitch. .
From : steve k
tbone ok several good suggestions. i do have a timing light and that would certainly tell me if the ignition timing is going south. yes i price a napa pump filter assy and it was 200. i also had another suggestion earlier on this board about how to replace it which sounds better than dropping the tank. i was told to raise the bed and i could get at the pump/filter assy. i did not know there was a regulater in the pkg also. the computer controls the pump and there is no pressure switch how does the computer control the pump or does it just have the pump on all the time and the regulator provides the right amount of gas if this is the case i could disconnet the fuel line at the rail turn the key on and i should have gas right will the computer save error codes i had it at a shop following the second failure after replacing the failed parts. they said there were no error codes. they actually put a 100 miles on the truck without it failing so they were not able to see the failure. the truck had died on the side of the road and i had them tow it in. anyway could the computer have zered the error codes if any when things started working again thanks mark .