propinc

My 2003 HO Nightmare!!<br><br>I bought a HO Cummins 3500 DRW 2X4 truck in Arizona a couple of weeks ago now at 540 miles while traveling in California it won’t stay running! it will start and immediately stop.<br><br>I called the Dodge Towing Group for assistance, they called me back and said they didn’t have a truck big enough then to tow the 3500. The 2 options they gave me was 1 to keep trying or 2 pick it up the next day!! We were stranded so we called the Local Dealer which pulled some strings and actually got us a tow.... for this we do thank them.<br><br>My Suggestion is: DON’T BUY A TRUCK WITH THE UPGRADED SECURITY SYSTEM!! After a day of trouble shooting and finding nothing wrong they “Think” it is the Chip in the gray key not communicating with the computer? (What would you ever do in a small town or Mexico with this chip problem)..... worse yet they don’t have the parts to fix it they're thinking 4-5 days maybe... don’t know for sure yet.<br><br>I asked the Dealer if this $425.00 Security Option could be by-passed so we could be on our way or better yet take it off and give us a refund. There response was the Security System part of the truck and can’t be taken off so basically we have to live with it now.... I believe it is a weak link for the Cummins dependability<br><br>The Dealer set us up with a rental 1/2 ton truck to drive back to Arizona, now we have to make another 1300 mile trip back to pick-up our truck because of the lack of available parts for the 2003’s. Now do you think Dodge should pay for our expenses?

Mexstan

Where in Mexico is the truck?

mymaur

I believe they should pay all costs inccured. But, I also think the chances of that are about as good as getting a ride on the space shuttle.<br><br>I do know your frustration. Had the same thing happen to me in Canada with one of GM's fine diesel oldsmobiles in 1979. Was stranded for 3 days. Not fun.<br><br>Good luck.

FiverBob

Hey, it's not the truck - - it's that California environment. It just does things like that to ya. <br><br>Hey, it can happen on a Rolls Royce. Pretty sophisticated, these little trucks of ours. I have never heard of anyone else having a problem like that. In fact, it makes me a little more appreciative of my anti-theft system - - sounds like it is not easily bypassed. Relax - - it will work out. The truck is awesome.

propinc

Hi Mexstan..<br>The truck is not in Mexico it is in California now at the dealer. I would hate to have something like this to happen there MX when we don't even have the parts here in the US... will keep posted on what they find. They have had it since the 23ed... maybe next week?

Mexstan

From your post was not sure if your truck was north or south of the border. If it was south of the border I may have been able to give a helping hand. Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Please post the solution to the problem.

wick

The security system can be removed from the truck. Because when u install a aftermarket alarm system the first thing they do is remove the factory system. It is just a plug in module. The dealer offed to install it on my truck for $500, I just laughed and put in a aftermarket system. Without the engine immoblizer. No need to be standed. Sorry about the bad luck. <br>If u bought the extended warranty they will reimburse u up to $500 for trip intruption.

TON4FUN

Actually the system is not removed. In the case when a keyless entry system/alarm is added to a vechicle with a stock alarm the stock system is overridden by the aftermarket system. The key of the vechicle has no significance since the aftermarket system does not need the ignition key to lock and unlock the doors and guard security points like the doors and shock sensor.

When a remote start/keyless/alarm system is installed on top of a stock system the same override is done. To do remote start with no key aftermarket companies have systems that tap inline with the ignition wire to send the same signal the key would to the stock truck start module to make the truck think the key is present to start.

In regards to aftermarket starter kills all they consist of is a relay in line with the starter wire coming out of the ignition column. Relays do go bad on starter kills from time to time, but if this ever happens it does not mean you are stranded, simply unplug the power harness to the alarm or pull the power fuse to the alarm and the vechicle will start.

In the case here it sounds like the chip in the key is not communicating to the computer that tells the truck the key is present and its O.K. to start. For this very reason I think stock alarms are junk especially for what you pay and features you get, not to meantion the poor range. You can get a fully loaded aftermarket alarm with more features for half the price of a factory unit. If you get an aftermarket unit get it installed at a Circuit City or Best Buy so if your anywhere in this great country they will fix any install or equipment issues for free for the life of the vechicle at any branch. Nice thing is they usually have the parts in stock to get you running that day if something keeps you from moving on.

The only reason I know most of this is because I have been installing alarms professionally for almost 8 years now and have never pulled a stock system out of a vechicle when an aftermarket unit is installed. If you unplugged the factory alarm module you can lose items such as door locks, interior lights, door triggers for interior lights, and so on.

doug

for the 04s, keyless entry is std (SLT/Laramie) and the &quot;security group&quot; is $225 MSRP. tonofun, are you saying that you would prefer to have a truck with keyless but without a factory security system, and then add the security system after market?

In 03, the &quot;security group&quot; included keyless entry, but you could spec the truck out with just &quot;keyless&quot; and not the fancy security system.

TON4FUN

Actually I would prefer to have no keyless from the factory and or alarm from the factory. They tend to be harder to get around if they go belly up. I guess I am so used to dealing with aftermarket alarms you get used to one thing. I have a factory alarm on my eclipse that has keyless entry and it really stinks. I had a keyless on my Jeep Cherokee and ended up putting an aftermarket alarm/keyless in to get better range and add more features.

I wonder how much dodge is upping the MSRP for the 04's. They must if they are adding keyless entry as a standard feature for SLT and Laramines.

doug

hardly any MSRP change in 04.