Grill Shutters

[Tulecreeper]

I keep seeing posts referring to grill shutters. Being only a middlin shade tree mechanic I'll ask - what are grill shutters, where are they, and what do they do? Is this something specific to RAM, or do all new trucks/vehicles have them?

 

[ramffml]

I keep seeing posts referring to grill shutters. Being only a middlin shade tree mechanic I'll ask - what are grill shutters, where are they, and what do they do? Is this something specific to RAM, or do all new trucks/vehicles have them?

Active grill shutters are shutters that sit in front of your rad. They can be opened and closed by your computer. The idea is that they are closed when your truck is cold, so that the engine heats up faster and keeps it at the "desired temp" (Rams desired temps are not the same as my desired temps). Then if your truck gets too hot they can be opened by the computer to get more air flow.

This is all automatically done, but the issue is that Ram has programmed our trucks to run hot, probably for CAFE/MPG reasons. Many of us see temps way too hot for our preference, so we go on a journey to reduce those temps. If you pull out the shutters but leave two rows there, the system still thinks its working as programmed (so no codes show up) but we basically give it constant air flow.

It helps mostly when driving. When idling at drive throughs, your temps will still spike.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Active grill shutters are shutters that sit in front of your rad. They can be opened and closed by your computer. The idea is that they are closed when your truck is cold, so that the engine heats up faster and keeps it at the "desired temp" (Rams desired temps are not the same as my desired temps). Then if your truck gets too hot they can be opened by the computer to get more air flow.

This is all automatically done, but the issue is that Ram has programmed our trucks to run hot, probably for CAFE/MPG reasons. Many of us see temps way too hot for our preference, so we go on a journey to reduce those temps. If you pull out the shutters but leave two rows there, the system still thinks its working as programmed (so no codes show up) but we basically give it constant air flow.

It helps mostly when driving. When idling at drive throughs, your temps will still spike.

Thanks.

This may be unrelated, but I have noticed the last couple of times when I have gotten out of the truck with the engine running after a 30+ minute drive in 90+ degree heat the engine is roaring pretty loud. Is this normal, and would it have anything to do with the shutters?

 

[Dean2]

The Roar is your fan running, it is normal. If the fan is running the Grill shutters will be open. If you look through the front of your rad you can see the shutters. If you hit the remote start, you can watch them go through their open to close to open again test cycle so you can see how they work. Default truck off is open, as it is if there is a fault thrown.

Up here it gets cold as hell, I love the grill shutters, I would never remove mine. The truck will actually stay at heat at -40 and 70 mph on the highway. Older trucks needed a winter front and Carpet between the grill and rad to do that.

 

[Jay P]

Here is an article about GM grill shutters. Seems lie most manufacturers use them now.

https://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/general-motors-technology/gm-aerodynamics-technology/gm-active-aero-shutters-technology/

 

[Tulecreeper]

The Roar is your fan running, it is normal. If the fan is running the Grill shutters will be open. If you look through the front of your rad you can see the shutters. If you hit the remote start, you can watch them go through their open to close to open again test cycle so you can see how they work. Default truck off is open, as it is if there is a fault thrown.

Up here it gets cold as hell, I love the grill shutters, I would never remove mine. The truck will actually stay at heat at -40 and 70 mph on the highway. Older trucks needed a winter front and Carpet between the grill and rad to do that.

Ain't got no such dee-vice on this here truck. The only thing my key fob does is lock and unlock the tailgate.

 

[Dean2]

Ain't got no such dee-vice on this here truck. The only thing my key fob does is lock and unlock the tailgate.

Well then I guess you have to use the old fashioned remote start, get your buddy to fire it up while you watch.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Well then I guess you have to use the old fashioned remote start, get your buddy to fire it up while you watch.

I'll have to look around and see if I can find one of those somewhere.

 

[GTyankee]

my truck is a 2016
i took this image when i removed the grille



This video should explain it

Ram Truck AGS (Active Grill Shutter) assembly replacement

Please use the following link when ever using Amazon.com. Any purchases you make on Amazon will help support this channel.http://amzn.to/2mALgqSEveryone love...

www.youtube.com

 

[ramffml]

my truck is a 2016
i took this image when i removed the grille

View attachment 522717

This video should explain it

Ram Truck AGS (Active Grill Shutter) assembly replacement

Please use the following link when ever using Amazon.com. Any purchases you make on Amazon will help support this channel.http://amzn.to/2mALgqSEveryone love...

www.youtube.com

I just popped the hood, reached in, and twisted each "fin" until it popped out. I didn't remove the grill? Maybe 5th gens have more space.