Team;

Last week, I drove my 2010 RAM 1500 Big Horn CC 4x4 on a fairly long trip 300 miles. Everything was fine. Parked the truck for a week to go on a business trip and came back and started the truck up. It started fine but the following is something I observed:

1) the trucks hits 1500 rpm under throttle and starts to make a abnormal noise from the front of the engine, kind of like extremely excessive intake noise and it gets louder and louder as the rpm climbs. It appears to shift properly.
2) When it shifts to second gear, it makes the same noise. When you lift the throttle, the noise goes away and it sounds normal.
3) If you keep the truck under 1500 rpm, the truck sounds normal. It also sounds normal when off the gas going down a hill.

Things I have checked/completed:
1) inspected the intake system. All is good.
2) Pulled the positive battery terminal and reconnected (reset the ecm) and drove. Made the same noises.
3) I am getting no errors on the onboard message center or any warning lights flashing.
4) tried turning the AC on/off to see if it makes a difference. There is no difference.

Any thoughts? I am a bit nervous as the truck has 38,000 miles and is outside the bumper to bumper warranty and I hope it is a warrantable issue on the powertrain warranty.

Thanks,

Dave

 

Does it make the same noise in "PARK" and stepping on the gas pedal from idle..?

 

I couldn't think of the word last night to describe the abnormal sound, but the sound is kind of a roar, if that makes sense.

 

LU229, I will give that a try when I get out of the house.

 

LU229,

Yes, when the truck is in park and you rev the engine the roar becomes noticable at 1500 rpm and gets loader and loader as the rpm's climb.

Thanks,

Dave

 

That roar could be the radiator fan. It roars due to the fan's clutch locking up as it is designed to do under certain heat conditions. Sometimes those clutches lock up when it seems they shouldn't though. I've had several replaced because I don't like the roar.

 

Dave,
i would have someone take a look at it before you drive it that is a good tech if you know of someone, pending their opinion, get it to a good reputable dealership and have it checked out. Its kinda hard playing the guessing game on the forums. Could be this could be that, could be dangerous to run it or drive it. So get someone to check it out asap buddie. Let us know what you find out....and GOOD LUCK budd

 

Thanks for the help team. I dropped by the dealer to let them hear the noise and one of the service manager took a quick ride with me. Within a few seconds he said it was the fan clutch locking up. He said I could drive the truck until it can get scheduled in next Monday to make sure that was the problem. He wanted to make sure there was not a transmission issue. With the fan clutch only issue will be the annoyance noise.

Does anyone know how easy it is to change a the fan clutch on these Dodges? I am always looking for ways to save money.

Thanks,

Dave

 

Should be a warrenty fix with no out of pocket expense.

 

i don't think that's going to be PT warranty. how much did the dealership quote Dave?