Today I drove bout 4 miles and my check engine light came on. The pickup was vibrating a bit going down the road too. I've noticed that it'll vibrate a little if I had the pickup in gear with the brakes applied (like picking up the mail).

Got home and checked engine oil (was really full for some reason). Drained that to proper level and checked tranny oil. Nice and red on the dipstick, but was black when I opened the drain hole.

Reset my guages and test drove it on highway. Started bouncing at about 40mph and the check engine light would start blinking.

Kind of feels like a u-joint, but would this bring a check engine light on? Every gear hits fine and sound like it always has. But with dodge having a bad time with trannies, I figure this is the more likely problem.

I live 1 hour away from a place that can check my computer readout, so any thoughts?

 

Oh, btw, I have a 2001 Dodge Ram Sport Off-road and has just over 60,000 on it.

 

Um....did you wait for the truck to cool down all the way before you checked the engine oil? If you check it when it's hot, it's going to appear really full. If it was in fact overfull, then I would be concerned about that as well.

Also, I'm almost positive there's no drain plug for the transmission (unless you don't have a stock pan). Is it POSSIBLE that you were checking the transfer case drain plug? [>:] That would (and SHOULD) be black.

I'd find out what code the computer is setting that is causing the check engine light to illuminate. There's a procedure to do it, but I can't seem to find it at the moment. But find out what the code is first. It's being set for a reason.

EDIT: turn your key on-off-on-off-on (not to start, just on)...watch the odometer...it should flash the codes in this format PXXXX

Go here for definitions: www.obdii.com

 

T-Case should be black? [sm=confused06.gif]

I put ATF in mine, so its nice and pink.

 

Ah yeah, we're talking about newer vehicles here. I've always put oil (10w-30/40) in mine...at least the NP203 in my Ramcharger. The older T-cases called for oil. Haven't checked the one in my Ram yet. I know what's leaking out of it isn't red. [>:]

In any case, if it's red on the stick but black at the "plug", that leads me to believe that he's looking at the drain plug for the T-case...not one for the trans.

 

Burning Rom,

You have correctly identified me as a noob [:-]

I think I was checking the T-case. I thought there had to be a drain plug on transmission and couldn't find any on the pan, so was curious about where I did check.

I got a code of P0305. The site said that cylinder #5 is misfiring. I'll have to change wires tomorrow. Hope it's as simple as that cause I was all down about having to spend the money on a transmission. I've babied it since I bought the thing cause I knew dodge had a prob.

Oil level was around 3/4 - 1 quart high when I checked (was cool). Color was fine when I drained it. I remember I had it right on when I filled it not too long ago....

Thx a lot for the reply, hope u saved me some money

 

Take #5 out too and see if its oil fouled or anything.

 

How do you number them?

 

#5 is the third one back (start count at the front of the truck) on the left.

 

Did you get the misfire in cylinder 5 corrected? I'm having the same problem.
But, according to the Haynes manual cylinder # 5 is the 3rd plug from the front on the drivers side.

Thanks,
Clava