I have a 06 Dodge Ram 1500 that I bought a month ago. Today while I was driving the rpm gauge wasnt responding to acceleration. It would sit at zero or slighty above zero while I'm driving. Any ideas why it is doing this?

 

Ah, join the club. Myself and a few others have the same issue. I have an 06' 1500 as well. The gauge cluster needs to be replaced. You can test it by holding the trip odometer button then turning the key on. The gauges will self check and go full sweep and then back.

Mine started out like yours, then got worse over time. It finally died for a few months, then came back but it's erratic. Costs around $400 and the old cluster needs to go back to the dealer (core charge). It is a simple fix though. A few screws and some plugs. Nothing major. One member on here did the swap in the dealer parking lot i think.

 

Yep, it's the cluster. Interestingly you almost never hear of it going bad in any year except the '06. Happens in other year Rams, but it's pretty rare...

 

Thanks guys could the problem be related to the transmission though? I got stuck on the sand this weekend and the trans overheating light came on

 

It's very possible it's related, but IMO the cluster is still FUBAR. The transmission "talks" electronically to the PCM (or more specifically the TCM) which talks to the cluster. I would think your "stuck" could very possibly have taken both out.

BTW, I'd be checking that transmission fluid for ANY signs of it being burnt and deal with it accordingly. You think a cluster is high? Try a burnt tranny...

 

Great, something else to look forward to in my '06..

 

I checked the fluid it was burnt. Changed it, shifts fine, so it cant be the input or ouput sensor the gauge works as of now but inafew hours will go.back to zero I think the gauge cluster shorted out after the it got stuck I shut the truck off and let it cool down after

 

my wifes 06 ram doesnt work and neither does my my brothers 06 cummins.

 

It sounds like it is burnt up but have you tried resetting the PCM? It will do a gauge sweep as well when powered back up. That MIGHT help clear any transmission faults stored when you got stuck. I think I'm one of the lucky few with an 06 that basically has an updated 05 cluster. When I swapped my cluster lights for blue LEDs I bought 6 because that's how many we're supposed to have. Took it out and I have 11. Anyways try disconnecting the battery for a while, reconnect and start. It's probably fried but it couldnt hurt to try.

 

Yep, Chrysler is pretty well known for using leftover parts from the year before on the early production vehicles for the following year. In some cases it works out better, but in most it's a royal PIA. Especially for guys with tuners - some of them can never get a canned tune tuner to work. I know a couple of guys with very early '04s who have the weaker '03 valve springs too. Although I guess it's not just Chrysler, I got a buddy with a "hybrid" 98/99 Chevy Z71, an early '99 with many '98 parts who has to basically go trial and error on a good many parts...