Hello,
I have a few questions concerning my 2010 Ram SLT Quad Cab 4x4 with the 5.7 Hemi MDS, 545RFE Trans, 3.92 Rear. I searched the archive but couldn’t find a specific answer to any of them so here goes.

MDS:
There is a grumbling/moaning/rattle noise (sounds like it's coming from the rear) emitted from the truck under light load and slight acceleration. It happens all of the time while in top gear (OD/6th). It is most notable while using cruise and the truck starts to slow a bit and the cruse attempts to make up the speed. If the speed cannot be made up then I believe that the torq converter shifts/locks up (or possibly the MDS turns off) and the rpm's increase and the noise goes away. I have seen this described various ways in other threads but I have not been able to find a fix. The dealer claims it is a result of MDS and exhaust and there is no fix. Has anyone found a cure for this problem?

ESP:
Has anyone found a way to permanently turn off the Electronic Stability Program/Traction Control System? I prefer not to have it engaged and find it more than annoying that I must switch it off each time I restart the truck.

EVIC:
My EVIC is located in the center of the dash and is controlled by buttons on the steering column. Has any one found a way to keep it from resetting to the radio information position each time the engine is turned off? I would prefer it to return to the last setting I was using when I shut the engine down and then restart the engine, generally the performance/gas mileage area.

Thanks!

 

1. for MDS you need a programmer or tuner and you can disable it
2. i read that if you press the button for 5 second it wil disable it, but some reports say it doesnt work
3. i dont think so, never read or came upon an option like that for the EVIC

sana

 

Thanks for the input.

I'm not looking to disable the MDS just eliminate the droning noise.

As for the ESP, I tried a couple of different versions of that and none of them worked. I even wedged the button so it would remain pushed in and it just reset itself to on while it was running.

Why in God's name someone would want ESP in a 400HP 4x4 is beyond me! I traded in a 2007 Hemi with Multistage that didn't have any of these issues. I guess this is what happens when the clueless engineering Geeks have their way and don't listen to the test drivers.

 

Can't help with MDS issue and I wish someone would figure out how to keep the EVIC in the same view/setting.

As for the ESP, the only way to completely shut it off is in 4x4 mode and its only good up to 35mph. After 35mph it kicks itself back on. Just pressing the button in 4x2 will lower the sensitivity enough that I've been able to do a decent burn out and slide her some in the rain. I would like the option of disabling it all together in 4x2 but think I'd want it back on for a rainy day...I think there's a post here somehwere about disconnecting a sensor at each wheel, but there was some concern regarding the anti-lock brake system.

Hope this helps some.

 

ESP - blame the gov't, it's going to be mandatory in all vehicles in 2012 (or 2014), with the exception of 3/4+ ton trucks. You know, the people that can't change a tire on a car that make the laws concerning them.

A true off button would be nice, I go a lot of places that I dont need 4wd, but put it into 4wd so I dont have the light flashing, annoying noises, and unnecessary application of the brakes.

 

The anti-Lock brakes are another nightmare all together. They kick in so quickly that they are at times almost scary on a long down hill slope. I had a few experiences last winter where I wasn't sure if I was going to stop at all. I found that by rapidly pumping them that you could to a certain degree defeat their premature ?? Help ??

 

I guess I have my self to blame for not doing enough research before buying. But who was to know that they would change so much from the 2007 model to the 2010. I've been buying dodge trucks every 2nd or 3rd year since 1977 and I don't think I have ever seen more ridiculous so call "Help Me Options". If I had it to do all over again I would be sitting in a 3/4 ton instead. At least the front bumper wouldn't be so low that the valance plows snow. I put a leveling kit in it to bring the front end up to a reasonable height. An interesting thing about the low front end is that in the Dodge commercials it shows the front end being at the standard height and not at the cow catcher level.

Depending on your driving style and how quickly you react to a skid situation, the traction control can actually cause you to start fish tailing back an forth a bit. If you are quicker than the system and correct for a skid before the system does it can cause the rear end to be a bit unstable. The system is designed for people that are generally just not able or just don't care enough to control their truck with their own skill.

 

I have a reg cab slt hemi that does the same thing but only coasting at 45 mph. This is the only thing that concerns me about my first dodge. It just sounds like junk for a 23,000 dollar truck.