1A Auto sells parts for the DIY enthusiast. They also employ a team of experienced mechanics to go over common issues with popular vehicles, and show you how to fix them yourself. When it got past 1A Auto, I listed three common problems that can be costly to address. Fortunately for Ram truck owners, there may also be ways to prevent some problems from getting worse. Potentially expensive Ram 1500 releases for the 2009-2017 period include:
- wear of the power unit
- coolant leak
- Cam and lifter fail
wear of the power unit
The Integrated Power Module (TIPM) is a plastic box under the hood of your truck. It is located on the driver’s fender well. This box protects a series of fuses and relays. Underneath are more complex circuits that control the truck’s electrical systems.
– Like many Chrysler products – it’s not always properly stamped. This malfunction can lead to moisture in the box and corrosion of the expensive electrical components inside. When these electronics fail, they can have all kinds of problems that occur with electrical systems. Problems can range from your power windows to your fuel pump to the engine ignition itself.
If you notice electrical problems with your Ram 1500, you can start by opening the TIPM and checking all fuses and relays for corrosion. You can do this by simply unplugging each component and looking for blue and green deposits on the contacts. Cleaning these contacts with a file or sandpaper may fix the problem for now. But if the circuits underneath are corroded, you may be looking at a costly repair bill. If the malfunctioning TIPM damages the truck’s other systems, that cost can add up quickly.
If you own a Ram 1500, you can proactively check TIPM for moisture. You can also check and replace the gasket that should seal the TIPM cover.
coolant leak
My colleague Nathaniel Ehringer reported on. One of the usual suspects is a Ram coolant leak.
Experts at 1A Auto Channel reported that the water pumps in fourth-generation trucks are prone to leaking. In addition, the radiator caps and the radiators themselves can leak coolant. Other components of the cooling system that can cause leaks include the hoses, thermostat housing gasket, intake manifold gasket, and timing cover gasket.
Fortunately, the Ram radiator cap is cheap and quick to replace. You might even get away with replacing the rubber seal that is part of the radiator cap. The cooler itself can cost a little more. Most commonly, the cooler develops leaks between its aluminum housing and the plastic uprights. There is a gasket between these components that can fail. You can visually inspect the coolant, looking for any greenish deposits left from dripping coolant.
Other components, such as a multi-fold gasket, can also be very expensive to repair. If you notice the coolant level is low, you can rent a tool to pressurize the system and try to spot the leak yourself. Once you know which component is leaking, you can contact your local mechanic to get an idea of what the repair will cost you.
Cam and lifter fail
Your camshaft is at the bottom of the engine. It spins at engine speed and hits the long cylinder lifters so that they can actuate the valves at the top of each cylinder. When these components fail, you’re looking at an expensive engine rebuild or complete engine replacement.
How do you know if your camshaft or lifters have problems? One sign could be if your engine develops a clicking noise during acceleration, and eventually while decelerating. A symptom of this problem left untreated is that your engine will stall when you stop, or while you are shifting.
Don’t panic yet. These can also be symptoms of low engine oil. These can be symptoms of an engine that is full of excess oil. So definitely check your oil levels ASAP and hope the oil change fixes the engine stall issue.
Next, read how or watch Lenny at 1A Auto explain how these problems, and more, can affect the Ram 1500 pickup truck:
