2009 TRX4 4x4 not working.

[Jeff99gsx]

I just recently bought a 2009 Ram TRX4 with the 5.7 hemi. It seems like a great truck but I got it real cheap and it has a few issues.

First issue is the 4x4 doesn’t work. Previous owner installed a new switch in the dash but it doesn’t do anything. No click or sound just dead it seems.

Second issue previous owner had issues with the KEY and replaced TIPM module and fuse box under hood. Now the fuel gauge, oil pressure gauge don’t work. I can read the oil pressure and fuel level with my scan tool tho and it’s okay. Doesn’t the tipm need programmed to the truck?


The third issue is the fuel tank straps but I see it’s a recall. Will the dealer fix that free?

Also when I get into top gear it seems to make a funny sound but I think that may be the MDS thing shutting down cylinders. It’s weird feeling. Can that be deactivated somehow?

 

[Brandon-w]

Run! Cheap isn't great when it costs a ton of money. Lol
I can see for a farm truck send it but it sounds like you got some of the first of the 4th Gen gremlins goin on and that Dodge wiring sucks!!

 

[Ken226]

Doesn’t the tipm need programmed to the truck

Unless i'm mistaken, yes, the TIPM on the 2009 thru 2012 trucks need the TIPM initialized. A decent scan tool, or AlfaOBD should be able to handle it.

The 2009 thru 2012 doesn't have a BCM (body control module), but has the same functions integrated into the TIPM. (i'm not 100% certain of this).

The third issue is the fuel tank straps but I see it’s a recall. Will the dealer fix that free?

Yes, i believe so. Call and ask.

Also when I get into top gear it seems to make a funny sound but I think that may be the MDS thing shutting down cylinders. It’s weird feeling. Can that be deactivated somehow?

Yea, but to do it correctly is pretty pricey. You'll need a new cam, lifters, a programmer and all of the gaskets and bolts that go with a new cam/lifter job. Otherwise, you may as well leave the MDS alone. Running with the MDS parts installed but deactivated actually restricts oil to the lifter bores more than leaving MDS on.

 

[GeauxinUp]

Throw your VIN in HERE to see what recalls are open.

 

[jws123]

Once you program your tipm alot fo your issues may be solved. As for the gas tank straps All they do is bolt a new bracket onto the frame i works tho.

 

[Jeff99gsx]

Thanks, it does have an incomplete recall on the tank straps and the shifter pin brake so I guess I’ll schedule an appointment to get that fixed.

 

[Jeff99gsx]

Once you program your tipm alot fo your issues may be solved. As for the gas tank straps All they do is bolt a new bracket onto the frame i works tho.

Will they supply the new straps or do I have to pay for that you think? They are gone.

 

[Jeff99gsx]

Unless i'm mistaken, yes, the TIPM on the 2009 thru 2012 trucks need the TIPM initialized. A decent scan tool, or AlfaOBD should be able to handle it.

The 2009 thru 2012 doesn't have a BCM (body control module), but has the same functions integrated into the TIPM. (i'm not 100% certain of this).



Yes, i believe so. Call and ask.



Yea, but to do it correctly is pretty pricey. You'll need a new cam, lifters, a programmer and all of the gaskets and bolts that go with a new cam/lifter job. Otherwise, you may as well leave the MDS alone. Running with the MDS parts installed but deactivated actually restricts oil to the lifter bores more than leaving MDS on.

Okay thanks, I thought the MDS was easier to delete. I definitely don’t want to do all that.

 

[Jeff99gsx]

Run! Cheap isn't great when it costs a ton of money. Lol
I can see for a farm truck send it but it sounds like you got some of the first of the 4th Gen gremlins goin on and that Dodge wiring sucks!!

It basically is a farm truck haha, I’m using it to run mowers around locally for work it’s not a daily driver. Maybe twice a week driver. It seems to drive great.

 

[jws123]

Will they supply the new straps or do I have to pay for that you think? They are gone.

you pay for new straps the recall is bracket only

 

[jws123]

Okay thanks, I thought the MDS was easier to delete. I definitely don’t want to do all that.

Just tune it out ive done it on tons of rams no issues no oil problems

 

[jawzs2]

Okay thanks, I thought the MDS was easier to delete. I definitely don’t want to do all that.

Just drop it down to 5th gear instead of Drive, that should disable the MDS, not permanently, you have to do it on every drive cycle.

 

[Adamcr68]

Just tune it out ive done it on tons of rams no issues no oil problems

My mds is turned off with my tune, no problems yet , but the information I’ve seen on Wild One’s & Ken226’s posts make a lot of sense IMO.
I hope to do a true delete someday, just have to convince my wife it’s
preventive maintance

 

[Wild one]

Okay thanks, I thought the MDS was easier to delete. I definitely don’t want to do all that.

Search my name,you'll find a video showing how the lifters actually get more oil when the trucks in 4 cylinder mode.
They use oil pressure to the lifters to push the pins in on the side of the lifters so they disengage and allow the truck to drop into MDS mode,on a high milege truck,you might want to leave mds active

 

[mrack]

Sell it while you can, you do not want to deal with all that

 

[jws123]

Sell it while you can, you do not want to deal with all that

He clearly understads it needs work people who dont want to waste $70,000 on a new truck and understand that their trucks need work he probably got a good deal on it.

 

[mrack]

He clearly understads it needs work people who dont want to waste $70,000 on a new truck and understand that their trucks need work he probably got a good deal on it.

There’s no deal good enough to be worth messing with that when a solid 09-12 1500 under 200k can be fairly easily found for 5-6k. He said he got it cheap, flip it and move on to something else. Or spend the next x years of your life with an electrical nightmare you’re constantly dumping time and money into.

 

[Docwagon1776]

He clearly understads it needs work people who dont want to waste $70,000 on a new truck and understand that their trucks need work he probably got a good deal on it.

There's a lot of ground between someone else's basket case and a $70k new truck.

I figure the guy who sold it figures he got a pretty good deal on letting it go, as well. Best of luck to the OP, hopefully they both feel like they won at the end of the day.

 

[Jeff99gsx]

There’s no deal good enough to be worth messing with that when a solid 09-12 1500 under 200k can be fairly easily found for 5-6k. He said he got it cheap, flip it and move on to something else. Or spend the next x years of your life with an electrical nightmare you’re constantly dumping time and money into.

Sorry for my ignorance here but what do you mean”deal with all that” with what exactly? Electrical stuff? It’s not having any issues at the moment that I know of. This is an 09-12. It’s runs and drives great, I don’t have emissions testing so I’m not worried about any of that.

I’m not sure what you’re referring to? The gas gauge doesn’t work but I use a scanner to read my fuel level.

So far it does what I need it to do. I pull a small trailer to pick up mowers. I have 2 other daily drivers so this is more less a junk truck that I paid 3k for.

I’m just trying to fix whatever little stuff I can but I’m not trying to make it a mint truck haha.

Feel free to elaborate on the electrical issues tho. The previous owner said he changed the tipm. So is that bad bad news? What’s gonna happen? Fire?

 

[mrack]

Sorry for my ignorance here but what do you mean”deal with all that” with what exactly? Electrical stuff? It’s not having any issues at the moment that I know of. This is an 09-12. It’s runs and drives great, I don’t have emissions testing so I’m not worried about any of that.

I’m not sure what you’re referring to? The gas gauge doesn’t work but I use a scanner to read my fuel level.

So far it does what I need it to do. I pull a small trailer to pick up mowers. I have 2 other daily drivers so this is more less a junk truck that I paid 3k for.

I’m just trying to fix whatever little stuff I can but I’m not trying to make it a mint truck haha.

Feel free to elaborate on the electrical issues tho. The previous owner said he changed the tipm. So is that bad bad news? What’s gonna happen? Fire?

Fixing electrical stuff is one thing, but when the last guy already tried and failed multiple times, that’s a big red flag IMO. Either the last guy had no idea what he was doing and screwed everything up, or the simple fixes didn’t work and there’s something bigger going on you’ll have to deal with. Don’t think it’ll catch on fire but new and intermittent electrically related problems might keep popping up as long as you have it.