2014 1500 Laramie: Traction Control Illuminates - Doesn't Shift (@ Mechanic's over a month for financial nightmare)

[TheMick]

2014 Ram 1500 Laramie 5.7L 4x4: Initial concern was hearing a loud fan-like noise between 15-15 MPH for a week, then check engine & traction control illuminated. Mechanic put reader on, 18 DTCs: ABS-PCM. Advised taking to dealer in hopes they might know the cause versus going down the list costing more for guesswork. Cleared codes and truck ran fine for a week before same issue, only this time once traction light came on the truck stayed in the same gear slowly decreasing max mph to 40. I'd pull over, turn off for a few, restart with no light and drive for a few miles until the issue returned and I repeated the process to get to a reputable mechanic safely. They repaired a broken wire and called it good. I drove a quarter mile and the same issue returned and I took it back. They replaced the VVT solenoid, camshaft and crankshaft position sensors, and engine intake manifold gaskets. I drove it the same distance and the same issue returned and I took it back. After a week, I approved their request to send to local Dodge dealership. They show code P0334, truck in limp mode, then code P1524. They replaced oil pressure sensor, cam sensor connector, same codes resulted. Dropped oil pan to find metal shavings and pieces of timing guide. Said the engine will need replaced! Replaced oil pan and parked outside while I figure out finances between 2 quotes $8,400-9,500. I'm leaving out all my personal dilemmas to stay focused on the truck's issues and see if anyone has experienced the same or similar with a successful resolution.

 

[HarryS]

Sorry to hear that. Parts cannon almost never works. Some issues need to be troubleshot by a pro, and not necessarily someone at a dealer.

 

[TheMick]

Say I have the engine replaced. Are there other parts where the metal shavings could be that would need replaced as well? I've also got the feeling that my initial issue will still be there after all this, so I'm already planning to sell when the repairs are done and cut my losses. I only bought it last December.

 

[Streetsport]

Say I have the engine replaced. Are there other parts where the metal shavings could be that would need replaced as well? I've also got the feeling that my initial issue will still be there after all this, so I'm already planning to sell when the repairs are done and cut my losses. I only bought it last December.

Whoever replaced the cam did a hack job and your engine self destructed, might need a lawyer involved

 

[62Blazer]

The traction control and/or ABS lights coming on should have absolutely zero to do with any of the engine related issues you have. None of the parts or sensors they replaced are related to the traction control or ABS at all. There also should be very limited "guessing" when doing repairs. Trouble shooting an issue should not involve just randomly replacing a bunch of different parts and hoping you get lucky. I'm not an ASE certified mechanic by any means, but just some basic and easy trouble-shooting can at least narrow down the possible causes. Any decent shop should have a scan tool/diagnostic tool capable of reading live data. This shows you if you are actually getting a signal from a sensor and if it's in range. Then you can do some basic electrical checks (i.e. check for voltage, ground, and signals) to those components.