Can any one give me a definitive answer as to whether checking OBD codes using the 3x key sequence also clears them? The reason I ask is in the last 3 months my MIL came on 3 times and I retrieved a p0456 very small evap leak using the key sequence. I always properly tighten the cap and never fuel with the engine running nor does the light coming on coincide with refueling, so i don't think operator error is a factor. The light always stays on after checking. The first trip to the dealer he said they did a smoke test and couldn't find anything wrong and cleared the OBD. Second trip he claimed there was no code history so he could not diagnose. My truck is there now and this afternoon I called to check on it and the service mgr told me the MIL wasn't on this am when they brought the truck in and furthermore there was no history. Yesterday afternoon prior to dropping the truck off, I read the p0456 using the 3x key seq and the light remained on during several errands and the trip out of town to the dealer last night. Personally I think the only smoke he's blowing is up my a**, and I don't particularly care for that sensation. I'm @ 35,200 miles and would really like to get this fixed under warrantee. The truck is still there- another warrantee issue, so I'd like to be able to call their b.s. bluff.

 

AFAIK, anytyhing past 1996 which would be the OBDII system (hook-up under the dash) has to be cleared with a computer. I don't think you can even clear them by pulling the battery.

 

There is an SB# 1800203 that covers this. The dealer must reprogram your PCM to repair the problem if they find no actual leaks. This is covered in a warranty that is mandated by the EPA. reprogramming is repairing the OBD computer which has an 8 year warranty per the EPA. here are the links.
http://www.epa.gov/obd/warranties.htm#a
http://www.dodgedakotas.com/boards/v8/5610-1.html
Check them out.
Thayer

 

I have gotten an MIL for a cat efficiency code and it has cleared itself twice. They may not be lying.

I did scan it and left the codes present because I thought it may have had something to do w/ having full exhaust and a dramatic change in climate, and I wanted to see if they would clear themselves each time. Both times it occured were when the temp went from ~75 during the day to below 50 the next. Each cleared itself the following day and have not come back on...Well it came back on once, but only w/ a dramatic change in temp. Strange, i know....

 

Picked up the truck at dealer today. They solved 1 of 4 issues. They swore that using the 3x key code retrieval cleared the p0456 code and reset the OBD so although the MIL isn't on today they didn't correct the problem. I personally think they're full of s**t with their answer. What really p****d me off was another issue with a cold start exhaust leak. I detailed the symptom when making the svc appt and even dropped the truck off the night before. The first day I called @4pm to see if the truck was ready and was told they couldn't find any problems. After giving explicit instructions as to the approx location and that it only leaked immediately upon cold start, the truck was left another night. At 3pm today the dealer called to say the truck was ready. I went to the desk and again was told no tbl found. I went outside , fired it up and heard it, shut it down and marched back inside and grabbed the svc mgr to come out for a listen. He immediately recognized the problem and promptly began to dance. The best excuse was they couldn't hear it inside the shop. Well Duh, maybe they should have read the appt write up, or the key drop envelope, or the detailed note taped to the steering wheel and really going out on a limb, our conversation on day one that it was a cold leak for the first 20-30 seconds upon startup. Obviously by the time the truck was in the bay the trouble was gone. Aarrgh. Don't even want to go into the other failed item. The only thing they got corrected was a floppy sunvisor, 3 screws and that issue took 2 months to resolve. I needed the truck tomorrow so another shop visit is in the cards.

 

I'd go to another dealership.

 

thats all very interesting, especially since I fill up my truck while its running all the time and I have yet to ever have a code... I do need to take it in though for the drivers door lock that fried out 4 months ago. If I actually drove my truck more than a couple times a month I guess it would bother me more.

 

Riverdale,

I had a similar problem with my truck. The damned light would come on intermittently. I took it back to the dealer. They told me it was a sensor on the gas tank and replaced it. 2 days later, light on again, this time they said it was the roll-over valve and the only way it could repaired was by replacing the gas tank ($1200). I got pissed and asked to speak to a manager. After waiting on hold for almost 45min, the service manager came back on. He said that while they were sticking to their original diagnosis, that they ran the test without the prescribed amount of gas in the tank! He said that they were going to run the test again and that he'd call me back. The new tests showed that a $25 sensor crapped out, not the valve and gas tank. I haven't gone back since.
The moral to this story is that if you don't get satisfaction or if you think that something is wrong, keep on asking for another manager. These car companies don't want or need more bad press than they have already. Also, like someone else said, find another dealer.

 

The appt is already made at another dealer. It's just a major inconvenience to drive 20 miles away when the dealer the truck came from is 1 mile from work. Unfortunately this looks like my only option to get anything resolved.