| '06 Dodge Ram Multifunction Switch Two and a half years ago, when my truck had 35K miles on it, I had to replace the multifunction switch (turn signal etc). Today, I received a notice from Chrysler that they were extending the warranty on the multifunction switch from 30K miles to 150K miles. The letter came with a claims form for a refund, for those who had to have the switch replaced. I'm going to be getting an unexpected $190.  |
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 MooJohn
join:2005-12-18
Milledgeville, GA | I wish they would admit the problem extended to the entire run of 3rd gen Rams. The one on my 03 makes me so mad I might rip it off the steering column if it signals the wrong direction one more time!
It's ok. After 9 years with 77k miles on the clock, the rest of the truck is perfect so if it's the only issue I can't complain too much.
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John M - Cranky network guy |
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 SteimesI make internetsPremium
join:2002-01-08
Belle Vernon, PA
kudos:1
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At first I thought your thread was titled '06 Dodge Ram Malfunction Switch.
My first though was, I knew Chrysler products got a bad wrap, but I didn't know all you had to do was flip a switch...
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Making procrastination an art form since Pluto was still a planet. |
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| said by Steimes:At first I thought your thread was titled '06 Dodge Ram Malfunction Switch.
My first though was, I knew Chrysler products got a bad wrap, but I didn't know all you had to do was flip a switch...
Well, if the function of this switch was to cause the vehicle to "malfunction", it never would. The switch does right and left turn signals, wiper on/off and intermittent speeds, washer spray, and high beams. It's a case of doing so many things that it can't do them all well. The typical malfunction is to signal a right turn, when a left turn is selected. Since that is a serious safety issue, I'm sure that the NTSB applied pressure to have Chrysler rectify the situation. |
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MooJohn
join:2005-12-18
Milledgeville, GA | reply to Waterbug
They decided that all of the switch's functions should be done like a video game's joystick, where a computer reads the resistance of a single wire and determines the combination of buttons that are pressed. That greatly reduces wiring and is a great idea ... right up until you remember that resistance changes over the years due to use, dirt, etc. There isn't enough separation between the values to account for this wear so you end up with the computer wrongly interpreting the input and hilarity ensues.
I'm restoring a 92 Lexus SC400 and its switches & buttons work just fine. Why? They aren't overly complicated. Every switch has a direct action on a relay and doesn't rely on a computer to figure out what I am requesting.
Today's CAN bus vehicles are going to be a nightmare when (or if) somebody wants to work on them 20-30 years from now. The documentation is plentiful but prices will be far more than simple relays and fuses.
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John M - Cranky network guy |
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SteimesI make internetsPremium
join:2002-01-08
Belle Vernon, PA
kudos:1 Reviews:
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said by Waterbug:The switch does right and left turn signals, wiper on/off and intermittent speeds, washer spray, and high beams. It's a case of doing so many things that it can't do them all well. The typical malfunction is to signal a right turn, when a left turn is selected. Since that is a serious safety issue, I'm sure that the NTSB applied pressure to have Chrysler rectify the situation.
The stock on my '99 Chevy Blazer was the same way, I do remember maybe when it hit year 6-7 of its life that it burned up (smoke and all) and quit working. We replaced it, and it is still working now.
Looking at what MooJohn says it looks like this one uses some "clever" tricks to make it more efficient... but it looks like it comes at a cost.
It always surprised me how complicated those multifunction switches can be, and how not standard they are from car to car brand.
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sk1939
join:2010-10-23
france
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I hear that.
My Civic would always have a delay when trying to roll down the drivers side window. Sometimes you would press it and nothing happened for a beat or two. Cars were much simpler way back when, before all the mandated safety features (TPMS anyone?). |
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| said by sk1939:I hear that.
My Civic would always have a delay when trying to roll down the drivers side window. Sometimes you would press it and nothing happened for a beat or two. Cars were much simpler way back when, before all the mandated safety features (TPMS anyone?).
TPMS is another sore point. I had an '06 Ridgeline with TPMS. They put dissimilar metal valve stem caps on the TPMS valve stems, at the factory. By the first oil change, the valve stem caps were welded to the valve stems. The dealer had to use vise grip pliers and destroy the valve stems, when they attempted to check the tire pressure. The annoying part was that because the Ridgeline was a new product line, the dealer had no replacement parts. It was a two day wait to get parts from Honda. |
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