Numerous Pxxxx and ABS DTCs

[Drfromnc]

I’ve got numerous power train and ABS DTCs and CEL on my 14 Ram that I (and local shop) can’t figure out.

In September I replaced rockers and lifters on left bank of my 3.6 because of the ever present tick. This job went flawless and truck ran great with the only exception was when I went to reconnect negative battery cable. The bolt that clamps down terminal would tighten up nice but I could still wiggle the terminal off the battery post. I tried a lead battery post spacer from local auto parts store but it was too big so I used a sliver of it as a wedge. Not happy with that so I bought an aftermarket terminal off eBay. One that includes the battery sensor. Clamps on nice and tight.

Around 2 weeks after the above mentioned repair and battery terminal issue all hell broke loose. Multiple issues popped up:

1-CEL came on for P26AB which is the 3 way coolant valve stuck. This valve is only 2 years old and is a aftermarket one.

2-“service abs “ and “service electronic braking system” popped up on evic as well as abs, brake, and anti skid warning lights on dash. These lights come on at startup sometimes or once I put in gear and drive a few hundred feet or sometimes not at all.

3-“service electronic throttle control” has appeared probably 6 or 7 times too. About half of these times was while driving, goes into limp mode. Stooping the truck, Put in park, turn off truck, restart it usually clears this up. Other times it displays this message is at startup and it is obviously running very rough. This is very intermittent issue but most concerning for drivability.

Things I’ve tried:

1- unplugged connector to 3 way coolant valve in case it as causing short or some interference on same circuit.
2-rechecked all the connectors related to rocker replacement job.
3-checked 10 pin connector down stream from 3 way coolant valve connector for corrosion or loose pin.
4-started truck to wiggle harness(es) to get throttle message to pop up
5- disconnected several ground wires under hood to clean and reattach
6-had battery/charge system tested at local parts store. All good.
7-checked fuse panel to make sure all fuses are pushed in securely. About half did push in a hair
8- local mechanic had truck in the last few days trying to fix it. Tried replacing 3 way coolant valve but CEL came back and they said it’s “failing to respond and grounds the 5v ref”. Further stated “may have PCM or wiring issue. Recommend to dealership for repair”

See uploaded pics of codes scanned at Oreillys 2 weeks ago.

I’m looking for ideas on what to do next. Not wanting to take to dealer except to trade it…lol.

 

[Drfromnc]

Another side note, my state inspections is due by end of the year and in NC it won’t pass with CEL on.

Called local dealer today to find out diagnostic hourly rate is $240/hr.

 

[alpinegreenneon]

Pic of your aftermarket battery terminal?

 

[Drfromnc]

I’ll post a pic when I get truck back from dealer.

Btw, spoke to service rep this morning. Tech found melted wires where pcm harness crosses over top (and touches) heater pipes on right side of engine. They are checking availability of this harness. I don’t know part number but a lot of harnesses I’ve looked up are not available.

 

[Drfromnc]

See attachment for battery terminal i installed.

 

[RamDiver]

See attachment for battery terminal i installed.

Do you have any updates on these issues?

.

 

[Drfromnc]

Yep, truck spent 2 weeks at dealership. They confirmed that 3 way coolant was bad which I knew was the case. I’m not paying them $600 to fix that. I ordered a mopar unit that I will replace myself so I can hopefully eliminate CEL and get truck inspected in order to renew inspection.

They also confirmed ABS module was bad and Im not paying them $1500 to fix that either. Might go refurbished one for $450 or try my luck with used one for less.

Lastly, about the service electronic throttle control message. they isolated wiring harness to get it off the heat exchanger pipes and rewrapped harness with tape. Didn’t feel like they needed to repair wires. Test drove truck and said it was good. No limp mode. I picked up truck and drove it for 3 days and it broke down again. Limp mode. Had to start/stop it over 20 times before it reset itself to where I can drive it straight back to dealer. Then they found codes for 5v reference signal low and gas pedal sensor voltage low. Couldn’t find the problem and basically told me the truck is not worth time it would take to spend hour upon hour at their rate ($240/hr) to find the wiring issue. Told me to come get it but now battery (1 yr old) is completely dead and will not hold a charge. Ugh. Got a jump start at dealer, drove straight to Walmart to warranty exchange battery. I would have thought the dealer would have tested battery at the very beginning but they never mentioned that they did.

I’ve driven truck about 100 miles since new battery and no more limp mode…guess I’ll replace coolant valve, get it inspected and drive it more to see if limp mode comes back.

 

[RamDiver]

Yep, truck spent 2 weeks at dealership. They confirmed that 3 way coolant was bad which I knew was the case. I’m not paying them $600 to fix that. I ordered a mopar unit that I will replace myself so I can hopefully eliminate CEL and get truck inspected in order to renew inspection.

They also confirmed ABS module was bad and Im not paying them $1500 to fix that either. Might go refurbished one for $450 or try my luck with used one for less.

Lastly, about the service electronic throttle control message. they isolated wiring harness to get it off the heat exchanger pipes and rewrapped harness with tape. Didn’t feel like they needed to repair wires. Test drove truck and said it was good. No limp mode. I picked up truck and drove it for 3 days and it broke down again. Limp mode. Had to start/stop it over 20 times before it reset itself to where I can drive it straight back to dealer. Then they found codes for 5v reference signal low and gas pedal sensor voltage low. Couldn’t find the problem and basically told me the truck is not worth time it would take to spend hour upon hour at their rate ($240/hr) to find the wiring issue. Told me to come get it but now battery (1 yr old) is completely dead and will not hold a charge. Ugh. Got a jump start at dealer, drove straight to Walmart to warranty exchange battery. I would have thought the dealer would have tested battery at the very beginning but they never mentioned that they did.

I’ve driven truck about 100 miles since new battery and no more limp mode…guess I’ll replace coolant valve, get it inspected and drive it more to see if limp mode comes back.

Thanks for the update. Too bad they're not skilled enough to resolve the faults without bankrupting you. It might be time to find a small competent shop that specializes in Mopar trucks.

I wouldn't give that stealership another penny if it were me.

.

 

[Drfromnc]

Got back from Christmas vacation and replaced coolant valve with new Mopar brand and cleared all codes. After several drive cycles permanent coolant valve DTCs cleared as well as emissions related readiness tests completed. Truck has now passed state inspection.

Also I’ve got another 60 miles on the truck and “knock on wood” still no more service electronic throttle control. I can only assume a failing battery was causing this issue. Thanks Walmart.