Ram troubles

[kray274]

I have a 2014 Ram Express 1500 that I took to dealer last Friday to get a tpms sensor replaced. The service dept. told me I had 5 recalls that needed to be done so I said sure. My truck is unmodified except that I recently added trailer brake control module and activated it with alphodb. Anyway as they were flashing the recalls they had one for pcm that wouldn't take and now the truck is non running.
The dealer contacted Ram about what needed to be done they said I needed a new pcm and another module that I can't remember but that I am responsible for cost because my truck was modified. I contacted Ram cares today and they are supposed to be looking into the situation because truck was running when I brought it and now it's not.
What opinion do you guys have and could alphaodb have caused the issue.

 

[JHoward]

I have a 2014 Ram Express 1500 that I took to dealer last Friday to get a tpms sensor replaced. The service dept. told me I had 5 recalls that needed to be done so I said sure. My truck is unmodified except that I recently added trailer brake control module and activated it with alphodb. Anyway as they were flashing the recalls they had one for pcm that wouldn't take and now the truck is non running.
The dealer contacted Ram about what needed to be done they said I needed a new pcm and another module that I can't remember but that I am responsible for cost because my truck was modified. I contacted Ram cares today and they are supposed to be looking into the situation because truck was running when I brought it and now it's not.
What opinion do you guys have and could alphaodb have caused the issue.

Well, be careful ... the five recalls are on them, anything else and your going to be opening your wallet if you don't have an extended warranty ...

Good luck and Happy motoring.

 

[chopperman1]

How would they know the truck is modified? I also thought Alfa modified the BCM, not the ECM.

 

[Bmags]

If kray274 didn't have the truck since new, it's certainly possible that someone else had changed the PCM tune at some point. However, keep in mind that in 2014 the PCMs were not locked... so even if it was tuned by Diablo, HP Tuners, etc... the dealer would have been able to flash over it without an issue. That was also before the security gateway... so I'd be calling BS on the dealer and just flat out tell them you demand your truck to be fixed free of charge.

I could see for instance someone turning off MDS... but again not a big deal for the dealer, and it wouldn't cause any issue.

This is a case where you need to hold your ground and just explain to them that they broke your truck and need to cover the cost to fix it. If you need me to call and chew them out I will! Please keep us updated.

Also, as a backup if they truly will not budge... you can use a junkyard PCM for your truck, since in 2014 you just need to have the VIN match (no other background security). I can probably find one by me and flash your VIN on it for a couple hundred bucks and you'd be back on the road.

 

[kray274]

I have had the truck since new and the dealership service dept. told me that the Chrysler engineers they spoke with said the truck was modified since I didn't go through a dealer to add the trailer brake control module. The service dept was also the one who have me the number to Ram Cares to contact so they have been helpful. I haven't spoken with anyone today but I will contact them tomorrow. The dealership also gave me a 2024 Ram 3/4 ton for a loaner while my truck is down.

 

[Randy Grant]

How would they know the truck is modified? I also thought Alfa modified the BCM, not the ECM.

They look at the vin and see the build sheet, and the current configuration.