Ok guys I need help ASAP. I have a 2004 Ram 4x4 with the Hemi and only 39k miles on it. About an hour ago I was driving and my check engine light came on on my way home. Well about 3 miles after it came on my engine died, some smoke came out from under the hood and it reeked of burning rubber. I looked under the hood and noticed that one of my coils on the passenger side (2nd from front) had a spot on the side melted and plastic was dripping onto my valve cover. Im guessing this is what caused the smoke and smell. Anyways my truck would not start back up. Could a shot coil keep the engine from cranking, maybe the computer shuts it down due to this? Any ideas what could cause this? Spark plugs were changed with factory ones about 3k miles ago and oil was changed about 2k miles ago. It has run perfect since the day I bought it until this happened today. My truck is sitting on the side of the road and I need to get it fixed ASAP.


Also, does anyone know how much it is for a coil at the stealership? Local autozone said it would take 2 days to get it and this is my only form of transportation.


Thanks,
Spencer

 

Have you tried disconnecting the coil pack and see if it will start? Call the dealer in the morning for a price ,it will surely be more expensive than vatozone,try other stores around maybe Advance or O'reilys or something.

 

I can picture if that coil is somehow exposed to the valve cover or other metal how it could cause havoc. Try removing and see if it will start, of course it will be on 7 cylinders, would not recommend driving like that.

I have no idea what that would cost. But I think it is safe to say your code will be related to that coil 2005 you can do the key trick to get the code.

 

Oops, you have an 04, not sure if the key thing will show the code. Does on the SRT

 

I havent done anything yet, I had no tools and had to catch a ride with a buddy to get home. Gonna have to go work on it tomorrow after work, making a friend give me a ride to work and gonna take the work truck to the stealership to get the coil. Where it melted was at the bottom of it towards the outer edge of the valve cover.

94rt10- I was thinking if it was disconnected it would probably start but like you said I dont want to run it on 7 cylinders.



I am totally dumbfounded at what could do this other than a faulty coil just finally kicking the bucket. How do you do the key trick? I normally use a scanner to pull codes but I left it at my father's house last time I visited. It should be the same as the 04 and 05 are practically the same. Also, does anyone have a link to the codes and what they stand for.





Thanks guys,
Spencer

 

Key in ignition

On
Off
On
Off
On

If it works codes displayed in the odometer. By on I mean on, not start position.

 

turn the battery
on
off
on
off
on

..Don't make the mistake I did of turning the engine on and off 3 times when i first tried it

 

alright thanks I will try that tomorrow and see what code pulls up.

 

MSRP for the coil is $35.

 

so????