jsflagstad

A friend sent me this and I figured you guys maybe could help out here. As you will see this is not either of the trucks in my signature.

I don’t usually drive my truck very fast due to the 4:10 rear end. It is a 1998 12valve automatic with about 85,xxx miles. This past week, I was towing my boat which does not weigh much (about 2300lbs) and keeping up with a caravan of other boats going together on the same fishing trip. I was not running in “haul mode” because of the gearing and relatively light weight of my boat.

After driving for about ˝ hour at 65 mph (2300 rpm) we rolled up to a stop light and when I stopped, I heard 3 dings and the “Check Gages” light came on for about 5 seconds. The gages all looked fine (oil pressure did not drop and the water temp was in the middle) so we started up again and after some period of 65mph driving we stopped again and I again got the dings and the warning light. I checked the water and oil and it was all fine.

For the remainder of the trip, I keep the truck at 60mph (2000rpm) and did not have any more warnings. I am curious if anyone knows what may have been going on.

dodgezilla04

could be the oil pressure dropping down since the oil is good and warm, then the sudden decrease in rpm(volume) will cause the pressure to drop. the gauge may indicate normal, but it could be low. these senders and gauges arent the greatest. a mechanical temporary pressure gauge at the top of the oil filter housing(spare port) will give you an idea of actual pressure.

jsflagstad

So if that were the case, would that indicate a failing or weak oil pump? That would be sort of out of the ordinary for a truck with this low of miles wouldn't it?

I will give him this info, and it seems rather painless to hook up a gauge to the port you are talking about.

Can you think of anything else it may be? There must be someone else that has seen this same thing.....

The truck has an auto, 4.10's and rather small tires (225's), so it really revs out at hwy speeds.

Thanks,

vzdude

NUMBER: 09-001-01
GROUP: Engine
DATE: Feb. 16, 2001
This bulletin is supplied as technical information only and is not an authorization for repair. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retreival system,
or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without written permission of DaimlerChrysler Corporation.
SUBJECT:
Intermittent Loss Of Oil Pressure Sensor Output Voltage
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Engine Control Module
(ECM) with new software (calibration level 01Version 5.9.T7).
MODELS:
2001 (BR/BE) Ram Truck
NOTE: THIS BULLETIN APPLIES TO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 5.9L-24V
DIESEL ENGINE BUILT ON OR BETWEEN ENGINE SERIAL NUMBERS 56744083
AND 56809910, WITH AN ENGINE DATE OF MANUFACTURE FROM JULY 3,
2000 TO JANUARY 31, 2001. THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE ON THE
ENGINE DATA PLATE, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE
AFFIXED TO THE SIDE OF THE TIMING GEAR HOUSING.
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The output voltage of the oil pressure sensor may intermittently dropout. When this occurs
the sensor output voltage may remain low until the ignition switch is recycled. This condition
may cause the engine oil pressure gauge needle to erroneously indicate lower than actual
oil pressure. A warning chime may sound and the “Check Gauges” lamp may illuminate.
The Engine Control Module (ECM) software has been revised to address this condition.
Replacing the oil pressure sensor will not correct this condition.
DIAGNOSIS:
1. Verify proper engine oil pressure using a mechanical test gauge. Refer
to the 2001 Ram Truck Service Manual (81-370-1008), Group 9 - Engine
(page 9–295) for additional technical assistance.
2. If proper engine oil pressure is verified and the ECM software is earlier (less or
low) than 01Version 5.9.T7, then perform the Repair Procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
Qty. Part No. Description
1 04669020 Label, Authorized Software Updade
1 04275086 Label, Authorized Modification
09-001-01 -2-
EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:
CH6000 Scan Tool (DRB III®)
CH7035 General Purpose Interface Bus Cable (GPIB)
CH7000/7001 J1962 Cable
MDS2 (Mopar Diagnostic System)
NOTE: THE MDS2 MUST BE OPERATING AT CIS CD 2077 OR HIGHER.
REPAIR PROCEDURE:
1. Reprogram the ECM using the MDS2 (Mopar Diagnostic System)
and the DRBIII® (Scan Tool).
NOTE: DUE TO THE ECM REPROGRAMMING PROCEDURE, A DTC MAY BE SET
IN OTHER MODULES (PCM, TCM, TCCM, BCM, MIC, SKIM, ETC.) WITHIN THE
VEHICLE, IF SO EQUIPPED. SOME DTC’S MAY CAUSE THE MIL TO ILLUMINATE. ALL
DTC’S RELATE TO A LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN MODULES. CHECK
ALL MODULES, RECORD THE FAULTS, AND ERASE THESE FAULTS PRIOR TO
RETURNING THE VEHICLE TO THE CUSTOMER. ERASE ANY FAULTS IN THE PCM
LAST AFTER ALL OTHER MODULES HAVE HAD THEIR FAULTS ERASE.
NOTE: THE FOLLOWING STEPS ARE REQUIRED BY LAW.
2. Type the necessary information on the “Authorized Software Update Label” p/n
04669020 (Fig. 1). Attach the label to the Cummins ENGINE CONTROL MODULE and
cover the label with the clear plastic overlay. Do not attach the label to the JTEC PCM.
Fig. 1 AUTHORIZED SOFTWARE UPDATE LABEL
3. Type the necessary information on the “Authorized Modification Label” p/n
04275086 and attach the label near the VECI label (Fig. 2).
-3- 09-001-01
Fig. 2 AUTHORIZED MODIFICATION LABEL
1 - TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE P/N (INSERT P/N) USED
2 - CHANGE AUTHORITY: TSB XX-XX-XX
3 - DEALER CODE: XXXXX
4 - DATE: XX-XX-XX

jsflagstad

Thanks vzdude, But this is a 1998 12v truck and it looks like this TSB is for 2001 and newer 24v trucks.

vzdude

Sorry! Looked at your sig instead! IIRC there is a similar bulletin for the 98's though. Either haveing the computer flashed or watching the guages REAL close to see which one is making it do it.

jsflagstad

Yeah, He said that none of the gauges are climbing or diving out of the ordinary when this is happening. Maybe an update/reflash would help.....

Stevie G

Has he looked at the voltmeter when it does this?