:'( Yes 34 Days @ 1,700 mi for repairs and counting!

First it was and still is the dreaded “Gray Key” when one goes bad... or the computer it talks to goes bad your in trouble. Your truck will have to be “towed” to Dodge it most likely will take them a day of two to trouble shoot it, and if it’s the computer part of the system most likely another 5 days before the part comes in as in my case. Then my second key could not be reprogrammed for the new computer and the Dealer had no extra keys in stock. I understand you have to have 3 keys, if you loose one it takes 2 to keys program 1 not 1 to program 1 as we all have, ... so to Dodge we go.... The message here is if you go on a trip make sure you have 3 Gray Keys with you then if something happens with one you can program the 3ed key yourself “if” you can find one at the Dealer... otherwise the truck will have to be taken or towed to the Dealer for the programing. With the Gray Key system you also can forget about “Ole Locksmith” he can do NOTHING to help you get going. (Dodge calls this a $410.00 upgrade to the Security System.) The that was worth 7 days at the Dealer truck had 510 miles on it

Second was the Rear End whine at 910 miles this was noticed in route to the 2nd Dodge Dealer to get the keys fixed. They determined that yes it whines but will only replace the ring and pinion NOT the whole 3ed member as I wanted (Dodge didn’t authorize it done that way) so the truck was left there. Dodge made me a 2nd and 3ed key that worked with the Security System, and replaced the Ring and Pinion assembly that was another 7 days @ 910 miles still not home!

Third Rear End still whining and now the Pinion Seal is leaking too!! 1700 mi and finally home. Took the truck to Dodge they agree the leak and whine but this time the whole Rear End Assembly from wheel to wheel will be replaced, brought it in November 17th 14 days no word yet and they still have it I E-Mailed them 4 days ago no answer (maybe holidays?)

Question what’s with the parts why can’t we get them in a timely manor if you’re on the road you have a BIG problem... I did get a “loaner truck” for the first 7 days but you couldn’t tow with it. Other 21 days No Loner and still in the shop.

28 Shop Days @ 1700 miles and counting, do you think there doing this on purpose or ?

 

Man, thats rough... If I were you I'd start dropping the lemon law talk around the dealer so they'll stop screwing around fix your truck right. I'm glad I'm not in your shoes. I hope the dealer will make things right, or maybe you'll get a new '04... -Steve

 

man, if i had those problems i would probably get a ford. though it's obviously no cummins, i would only put up with crap like that for so long. (i know others who've switched due to dodge lemon problems- scott at mass diesel for example).

btw, i've had a rear end whine in my truck for probably 40k miles...awefully anoying when not running a straight pipe 'cause i can hear it a lot louder.

good with bad i guess----good luck!!

Tom

 

Sorry to cut in here guys, but what do you mean by "grey key"?

You mean I just can't go out and have an extra key made at the local hardware store?

Or, is that something that goes with the hi end security system?

Thanks

Ron W.

 

[quote author=rjweiss link=board=20;threadid=23097;start=0#msg216832 date=1070362801]
Sorry to cut in here guys, but what do you mean by "grey key"?

You mean I just can't go out and have an extra key made at the local hardware store?

Or, is that something that goes with the hi end security system?

Thanks

Ron W.
[/quote]

The gray key has a security transponder chip in it. Without this special key, the truck will not start. It can be copied at most hardware stores, but you must program the key.

 

RamDan03,

Got ya....but I guess a copy made at the local hardware store would at least get you in the truck if you locked yourself out, like I have done many times before :'(

Ron W.

 

I don't believe the hardware store sells the "GRAY KEY" you have to go to dodge to get it. Once you have the key you need to have 2 (Gray Keys) in your possession to program the 1 you bought!! ... Now how many of you have 3 Gray Keys (that's the ones that have a "Chip" in them) all the other keys are "Black".

Hope this helps you guys don't get cought having to tow your truck into Dodge to program a key because you don't have 2 at home to it program yourself .... expensive mistake. Remember even if you have a key cut for your truck it still will not start!! without programing it.

In my case I didn't loose my keys, my keys decided not to talk to the computer so it would turn over run for a second and stall... that's it.. you don't go anywhere but to Dodge garage ..... if you think about it it can be a nightmare on a trip or?? as it was in my case ...... Take time and learn about it so you don't have a problem.

 

As so far with you rear end you need a dealer that has a little or a lot of innovative to take one of there trucks off the lot and pull the rear out and install it in yours while they wait for the replacement rear to arive. What WE NEED is a lot more value put into customer service! :-*

 

:-[ Sad news I got the truck back and it still whines, seems to start at 60 mph ...... what to do now???? Does anyone have a 11.5 that is quiet?? Do you know if the assembly is the AA&M for the 11.5's maybe I will contact the manufacture and see what they say. Dodge said they drove 2 others and they were the same but i wasn't invited ??? I know I have 175K on my 89 and it's still quiet ..... what's going on here??

 

What gear oil are you running? The trucks comes with 75-90w synthetic I believe. Have you tried 85-140w synthetic? The thicker oil may quiet down the gear clashing.
So far mine has been pretty quiet running the 75-90w.

MikeyB

 

Hi MikeyB;

I have been leaving it up to the Dealer with what there putting in there at this point I hope they know ... I should probably check next time for Banana's?

 

Take it back and have them prove it to you and if that doesn't work out then tell them to BUY the truck back or give you a nother one ;D

 

I would tell them either fix it till its perfect like a new truck should be, or talk lemon law/buyback/new truck...Don't settle for a truck with problems when it's brand new and under warranty! Good luck.

 

you do NOT need 2 gray keys to program a third key

I was at the dealer having their alarm guy look at my remote start.minor problem, anyway, while i was there i bought a new graykey and a new keyless entry . can you believe i lost a set of keys allready? they told me that the key, and keyless entry had to be programed, for a half hour labor charge. what choice did i have?$35 for the key, $35 for the keyless entry + a 1/2 hour labor

before i had a chance to have the key programed , i was talking to the alarm guy while he was looking at my truck.he saw the key and asked me to give it to him. he put the NEWkey in the ignition,did a couple of things under the dash,moved his hands reel fast, and PRESTO the key was programmed.took about 30 seconds. he then repeated the steps with my existing key.

I think he reprogramed BOTH keys. Thats why they ask you for ALL your keys. so now, if i find the ones i lost, they wont work.

 

I believe you are right your old keys won't work now .... What I was told was we could program our own keys but we need 2 good ones to program the 3ed ....... isn't this fun ;D Hope you never go into a small town or down to Baja and loose a key can you imagine what you would have to do, better pack a big lunch!