Hey everybody, I've had quite the time with my 2010 Ram 1500 2WD. Its at Dodge right now and they determined the issues I'm having are a result of a short in the wiring harness and recommend replacing it. Of course, Dodge no longer makes the harness so they said they would look around for a used one that they could then put in. I'm getting the feeling this is going to be an expensive job. Wondering if anyone else has had to replace their harness and how much it might cost. Also, is changing out the harness something I could do or is it going to involve some pretty major deconstruction inside the engine bay? I haven't been able to find any youtube videos on it, which worries me since there's videos for everything. I've always done my own work on vehicles but wondering if this would be too much work for me to want to get into.

Love to get some of your thoughts on it. Thanks!

Greg

 

Have a look at the underhood harness, note where it goes, and what will have to come out of the way to replace it..... I might be tempted to let the dealer deal with it.... as then, if there is a problem, THEY get to address it.

Though I have to wonder, would you be further ahead just paying the time for them to FIND the short??? And then just fix it?? Granted, there are a lotta wires under the hood, but, they should already have an idea which ones may be causing the issue. Just need to see where they go....

 

Yeah I already don't have enough time in the day haha . So I'm inclined to let them do it.. Unless they come back and tell it me will be multiple thousands of dollars and then I might feel differently!

That is a question I plan to ask them whenever they give me a call back. Seems like replacing the entire harness might not be necessary if they've actually located the short. I'm somewhat surprised they didn't suggest that especially considering they would have to find a used one somewhere. So I wonder if they actually located the short or are just saying it's in some unknown location in the harness and replacing the whole thing will fix it... A lot of questions the poor receptionist at Dodge is going to have a rough time answering! haha

 

Big difference between knowing there is a short, and knowing where it is. They likely know which CIRCUIT it is in, but, WHERE in the circuit becomes the question. Or, if they don't have a guy that's really good with electrical...... they may just be guessing, and playing the 'poke and hope' game.... Which gets expensive for you right quick.

 

I don't know near as much about electrical systems but that makes sense. I'd assume then that they probably don't know exactly where it is which is why replacing the whole harness would be their solution.

I'm hoping they know what they're doing.. I was told the "master tech" was looking at it and then he couldn't figure it out so they had to send it to someone even higher up. Unfortunately, I don't know enough to not be able to trust their recommendation. For my wallets sake I hope they're right!

 

I would like to think that a "Master Tech" should know how to trace a circuit, and find a short....... but, I've been wrong before. Shocking, yes, I know.