Hey guys,

I've had about 6 problems (varying scale of nuisance) with my truck over the past 8 years. They've all just sort of added up. Most of them are not much a problem, so I just let it go. But since this past Saturday, I have been on a tear because one problem got worse, and needed immediate attention.

Here are the problems, from least nuisance to bigger:

1. Right side cruise buttons, were broke from when I hit the horn years ago. The function still works, my thumb has gotten use to the body english I have to put on it to make the switch work.
2. Overhead Console Map Light on driver's side. The switch quit turning the light on/off. But the bulb would continue to light when the doors would open.
3. Rearview mirror auto-dimming switch. The Auto-dimming system worked, but the switch would not remain in the ON position any longer. This just happened over the past couple months. I could hold the button in the ON position and the LED glow would come on and I could tell the dimming was beginning to work from headlights behind me.
4. A/C: There's been a refridgerant leak for a couple years now. I just put the windows down. Was charging it up for one of the 2 years, but the leak has progressed so I just live without it.
5. Fuel leak: The fuel is leaking somewhere near the LP. Not affecting psi though.
6. ABS activation: Upon approaching a stop, the ABS activates from about 6 mph down to about 3 mph. I'm used to this, been this way for 7 or 8 years.

Well, I had a buddy riding with me on Saturday and was showing him the problem with the map light. And it finished breaking, where the spring return was dead. After I dropped him off, the bulb lit when the doors were opened, and that particular bulb would not turn off. Knowing it would cause the battery to drain, I decided I would finally deal with it ... when I got home.

The hardest part was figuring how to detach the Overhead console. Once I got it off, I saw what the problem was (broke plastic parts), and super-glued pieces back to their original position and hoped for the best.

Sunday, tested it out, worked like a dream. Put the Overhead console back in the truck. Fixed 1 of the 6 problems, no cost.

The cruise buttons will not be super-gluable, so I found 2 used switches on ebay from a 99 CTD Ram, and paid $18 shipped. Should receive those tomorrow. I think I'll have to remove the airbag to replace that. But I don't think that will be very hard.

I took the rearview mirror off Sunday after I put the Overhead Console back in. Tried every which way to pull apart the mirror. Just before pulling the trigger to spend $35 for a used part from ebay, I tried 1 more time. I used screwdrivers, but found a way to pry it open without marrinng the plastic. The switch was unrepairable, and cannot remove it from the mother-board. So I pulled the return spring clip on the switch, and flopped the spring on the wrong side of the clip (no return of the button via spring in this configuration), put the clip back in. Then I fixed the switch into the ON position, and plugged it in. The LED lit. So now the auto-dimming will work again, but won't be able to turn it off. That's fine. $0 cost!

Will fix the cruise button this weekend, and will have 3 of 6 problems fixed. I'm on a tear!

I'll get the more difficult items fixed later. They'll require some $.

- BIGBLUERAM

 

On ur a/c problem i think i have the same thing happening i have just got use to once a month getting it filled with a can of r134a. when u get ur a/c figured out please let me know what it was i have had this problem for a few years but at the tune of 2800 to search for a tiny leak isnt reasonable to me.

 

Got the cruise button fixed.

I'm going to put refrigerant in it with dye. Then I'll drive by an A/C shop and let them shine their black light in there and see where the leak is.