Hey every body!

Im new to this forum. My fiance owns a 2004 Ram 1500 3.7L, that has a ton of problems that I could use yall's advice on.
We sat down and made a list of them so here they are...

Headlight problem:
When she turns the truck off before she turns off the headlights, you have to turn the the headlight switch twice before they will turn off. Its always 2 times...

Wiper problem:
Sometimes the windshield wipers wont turn on or they will sweep a few times when they are not on...

Rough idle problem:
has a pretty rough idle, "chokes" at stops and has shut off (rarely)
this happens more when cold or has not stopped recently...

I have changed spark plugs, air filter, cleaned the throttle body, etc... still no difference.

a/c problem:
ac compressor rattles like a rock in a can (ac and heat work GREAT)

air vent problem:
sometimes no air or heat will come out of ANY vent (defrost/face or floor)

A lot of this seems to be an electrical issue. Is there any specific electrical defects with these models or is it sparratic?

I know this is a lot of stuff to ask at once! Any advice is appreciated.

 

Headlight issue is not an issue. It is designed to do that. Let it sit for a couple minutes after turning the switch off and they will go off by themselves. If you don't want it to do it, turn the lights off before the key switch.

Good luck with the other issues.

 

Thanks for the reply!

 

greg has it on the headlight problem. The windsheild wiper problem is a common one, you can try the intermittent wiper fix posted in the diy section, that works for mayb 60-70% of people, if that doesn't work you will have to replace the wiper motor. Try replacing the egr valve, if you've done all that other stuff, that could potentially be your culprit. Not sure about your ac issues.

 

No check engine lights or codes? If egr is a problem, you should get a cel. The wipers can do funky things. Never had mine just turn on when they are off and they work correctly on low and hi, but on interm. they sometimes will wipe 2 or 3 consecutive times instead of once and sometimes they will stop wiping until I click up to the next setting. Not a big enough problem for me to try and track it down.

I would suggest prioritizing the issues in order of importance and/or expense to you/her and work them one at a time. Given the time of year, I would do the AC first. And like I said, the headlight thing is a feature, not an issue. Designed to allow you to turn your vehicle off in the driveway, turn off the light switch and have light to get into your house or whatever before they shut off. Even my old 87 Lebaron had that feature.

 

10-4 does any body have any advice on the AC issue?

 

Only does it when the compressor kicks in?

I have seen this in other places in the south this time of year. Nobody does it here, but this time of year, shops will put out signs saying they will check your AC system for free so you don't get caught in the heat. Of course they are just trying to get you in the door in hopes of lightening your wallet but maybe you can use it to get a diagnosis at least.

 

Yeah its rattles only when the compressor kicks on.

 

Can somebody please tell me how to locate the egr valve on this truck?
I cant find it to save my life!!!

2004 3.7L

 

From what I can find It should be on the drivers side at the rear of the intake #4 in the pic.As for your compressor making noise It sounds like its time for a new one.