Hello All,

My dad recently passed away and my mom is now ready to sell his truck. It is a 2003 Dodge Ram Hemi 1500 slt quad cab with 72,000 original miles. Recently the computer screen went belly up which made the enginee light come on. Unfortunately, because of the age the dealership just can't fix. They can though and offered to get parts to rebuild the computer if we wanted to. It is currently at the dealership now awaiting our response. Is this something you really want to fix as it would decrease the value a lot? Or just leave it as is and tell the potential buyer that it is broken and shave a little off the price? The truck has just the standard equipment that it comes with. There is a bed liner and the cover you can pull over the bed to hide stuff? Sorry not sure what the answer is for the cover. Atlantic blue is the color if needed. The truck is not showroom quality, but also not used in a demolition derby. Has normal door dings and scratches you would expect but it actually looks newer than what it is. The dealership can't really give a price on building the computer as most people wouldn't fix this do to the age of the vehicle and just live with it. Which is exactly what we would do as well if were intending on keeping the truck.

Any suggestions or advice very appreciated.

 

Depends a lot on the location. A rust belt truck will fetch far less than a AZ/NV/SoCal rust free desert truck. By computer screen do you mean the small one in the dashboard that shows the ODO, miles, and trip? A working odometer is a pretty important selling point.

 

Depending on where you are, used car prices are sky high right now. Usually, a diode goes bad and I used to know a place that rebuilt those but it's been years and I don't have the name off hand. KBB.com and NADAguides.com will give you a price but I would suggest taking a few photos and post them here with your location. Also, take a picture of the computer that has failed. I did a quickie search and there are repair businesses to repair dash components. Your mother will get a better price when everything is working.

Like I said, post some pictures and your location and the people that wander in here from time to time (really need to fix that lock) can help you out.

 

I buy and re-sell Rams as a hobby, and from my experience you want everything to be working. Definitely no caution lights. Problem with selling a truck with problems is that you will only attract low ballers. Many of these characters are very aggressive and will get your post taken down if you don't take their offer, then negotiate with you with after your post has been removed. Trucks that are in good shape and listed on higher end of value with get much better responses. I can tell you more about re-selling, but won't bore you since you didn't ask.
What computer are you talking about? In the radio/head unit area, or instrument cluster? Sorry if dumb question, I'm not familiar with a computer screen on a 2003.
What is code for the engine light you are getting?

 

I was wondering about the computer too. My '02 didn't have a computer screen. The radio did go belly up and the screen went out, but it didn't affect the check engine light.

Robars90, I'd pass on the dealer working on the truck. After 7 years or so, there isn't much factory support and it's out of warranty. If it's the radio, just get a nice head unit. Be sure to use the proper adapter kit so it works right when you turn it on.