I'm trying to gain some info, to save him some money. All I know about his truck is it's a 2004, diesel, 6sp with about 80k miles. He is having the water pump replaced, but they tell him he also needs a crank/cam position sensor, and a "flash drive" sensor? Not real up on 3rd gens, he bought the truck used, and they talked him into a "warranty" that covers the water pump, but not the other stuff. I told him to cash out the warranty and we'd do the work, but how hard is it to get to these sensors, and what the heck is a "flash drive" sensor. Maybe the apps? Anyway, hit me with some ideas. Thanks guys.

 

The crank and cam sensors are directly below the water pump. Not too hard to get to if you don't have big hands. I wonder if they are recommending replacing them just because there may have been anti-freeze leaking on them. I don't think I would bother with those unless he was having driveability issues or codes being thrown.
I have no idea what a "Flash Drive sensor" is....

 

The "flash drive sensor" is installed in every service writer upon graduation from the Chrysler Corporate Fraud 101 course. It's a chip that gets embedded in their skull alerting them to the presence of customer's flash drives that might indicate they can probably afford to pay for any unnecessary work they can dream up and suggest.

 

That's hilarious Except, if my SIL looks like he can afford anything, the tech must have been blind. He was having some start/driveability issues that sounded like a position sensor. It would start, then try to die, and he would floor it to keep it running long enough to get moving. I told him that we could change the water pump and the sensors would probably be right there while the pump was out of the road, but I think he's too lazy.

 

I changed water pump on my truck and it was the easiest I have ever done..

Took longer to get the belt on/off than it did to change the water pump.
2 bolts, no gasket, uses O-ring.. Unbolt old one.. clean surface.. bolt new one on..

No idea on the flash drive? Waiting to hear a valid answer...

 

Malfunctioning flash drive sensor, no doubt.

 

Possible update to the ECM I'm guessing that codes were found stored in the ECM by the tech working on your truck. Flash update.... not a flash drive sensor....
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 18-022-06 DATED
JULY 13, 2006, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. ALL REVISIONS
ARE HIGHLIGHTED WITH **ASTERISKS** AND INCLUDE THE ADDITION OF DTC
P0191 - FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE.
THE DRBIIIŽ FLASH FILES FOR THIS BULLETIN ARE AVAILABLE ON
DealerCONNECT.
SUBJECT:
Flash: 5.9L Turbo-Diesel Engine System Enhancements
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Engine Control Module
(ECM) with new software.
MODELS:
2003 - 2005 (DR / DH) Ram Truck
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 5.9L turbo diesel engine
(sales codes ETC and ETH respectively).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The following enhancements are included with this software:
1. Improved engine cooling (radiator fan activation) and prevention of possible engine
overheat. When coolant temperature faults are present the radiator fan is enabled
(turned on) during vehicle operation.
2. Correction to oil pressure reading when engine is operating at higher engine
temperatures above 91°C (195°F).
3. Improvement to the Temperature Sensor Rationality Test to prevent possible false test
failures and the following related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's):
a. DTC P0071 - Inlet Air Temperature Sensor Rationality.
b. DTC P0111 - Intake Air Temperature (IAT) Sensor Rationality.
c. DTC P0514 - Battery Temperature Sensor Rationality.
4. Additional Water-In-Fuel (WIF) warning added to indicate that the operator has had a
WIF DTC P2269 and has continued to operate (drive) the vehicle in excess of 500
miles without draining the water from the fuel filter. The following is the new WIF DTC
that has been added:
a. DTC P0169 - WIF Too Long Error
NUMBER: 18-022-07
GROUP: Vehicle Performance
DATE: March 14, 2007
5. ** Improvement to the Fuel Pressure Rationality Test to prevent possible false test
failures and the following related Diagnostic Trouble Code:
a. DTC P0191 - Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor Circuit Performance (2004.5 to 2005 M.Y.