04 Ram dies and locks brakes while driving!!!

[PigPen5150]

Tell the dealer you want to be present and/or meet with the District Manager when he does this inspection. If they want to cover their ass, they'll have it inspected before they release it. Too much liability at stake not to. I certainly wish you the best of luck.

[tyler97217]

I told them I wanted the district attorney to put in writing that he has inspected the truck and is aware of the liability. They were supposed to get back to me a few days ago. Will check in with them tomorrow.

[jrmcx]

I hate to keep harpin on this but this sounds like some factory installed, you didn't pay for option. Meaning some kind of security system screwed up. My buddy has a chevy 2001 silverado with security/remote start option. If you don't go through sequence when you enter remote started truck the truck shuts off, can't start and brakes lock to prevent towing. I'm thinking you got ignition switch prob. or switch logic computer prob... Some features get programed / wired in vehicles and not abled up unless feature is paid for. So ......I think I'm allowed a guess, just like your dealer.

[tyler97217]

Great point...That makes a little more sense now that you explain it. I will bring it up with the dealer. He is supposed to call today......supposed to........

[Yobunuki]

Not sure about the brakes, but I had a simalar problem with my 2001 1500 ram. What it turned out to be was a wiring harnes that had corroded. I was going down the highway at about 70 and the truck would die. Then cut back on. It eventually died in the parking lot at my office and would not start. I guess the harness was flexing while I was driving. Thankfully my brakes did not lock up. It was scarry as hell but your situation would have made me soil myself. Good Luck with your truck, Hoping you get a new one....

[fredjacksonsan]

Tyler, what finally happened with all this?

[tyler97217]

Well they "think" they have it fixed. I stress that they are not sure until it happens again. They say they think it was the valve body in the transmission. They can not answer why that is dying out the car and why you can't start it either. They said we need to get miles on it to really test it. Well, I put miles on it and drove it to another dealer and traded it in for an 05' diesel. Wasn't worth the risk of it happening on the highway.

[fredjacksonsan]

Well done! I wouldn't trust it either. And I'm curious how the dealer would explain that the valve body in the trans locks the brakes.

Hopefully you got the manual trans with the diesel.

[PigPen5150]

I think that was a real good idea. When (if) they call to check on the truck, tell 'em you got rid of it and see if they freak out. I agree, hopefully you got the manual transmission.

[BleedDodge]

They think they have it fixed? For me that wouldn't be good enough. What happens when they lock up again and you go back to your mechanic's place in a wheelchair and he's like, "Sorry dude, we thought we had it fixed..."

Best of luck with this.