1997 Dodge Ram Van- a few problems
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1997 Dodge Ram Van- a few problems
I have a few problems with the van I just bought- I used to own a newer Dodge Truck, but was required to have a van for work, and I keep leaving the headlights on inside of the van- I want to upgrade the lights in the van- it's this **** you pull out, with a lightup display. I am working for a remodelling company, and so can do the electric wiring myself- but I don't know what o buy and what is compatible with the older vans. My truck would light up green, had three positions, you would put the hi lights on from the steering wheel like in the van- it should be a simple fix for me, but I just don't know what to buy, or where to buy on the net.
Second- I've changed out my steering fluid often on this van- it's very, very annoying- likes to freeze up on me in the worst of locations. I need to fix this- I'm told it's a pump. What pump- anyone know's the name of this pump- where I can buy this part? Is it common in autoparts shops?
Rear Differential Fluid- I had my vehicle checked up when I first bought it, but I don't know where to put it, guessing it's in the rear. What brand should I buy, and where do I insert it?
Battery is all cruded up- and the two cords attached to it are also- It's a no brainer to replace the battery, but what model (and nomenclature) should the positive and negative cords attached to the battery be?
Is it possible to get the passenger seat to recline? It seems stupid that it won't.
Well, those are my questions- I would really appreciate the question to the very first one especially, it's just what I am used to.... this gets me so often, I walk off with the lights on, come back ten minutes later and it's dead. I am certain I can replace it, but just need to know which model to buy. I don't care how stupid it looks, I just want it.
Second- I've changed out my steering fluid often on this van- it's very, very annoying- likes to freeze up on me in the worst of locations. I need to fix this- I'm told it's a pump. What pump- anyone know's the name of this pump- where I can buy this part? Is it common in autoparts shops?
Rear Differential Fluid- I had my vehicle checked up when I first bought it, but I don't know where to put it, guessing it's in the rear. What brand should I buy, and where do I insert it?
Battery is all cruded up- and the two cords attached to it are also- It's a no brainer to replace the battery, but what model (and nomenclature) should the positive and negative cords attached to the battery be?
Is it possible to get the passenger seat to recline? It seems stupid that it won't.
Well, those are my questions- I would really appreciate the question to the very first one especially, it's just what I am used to.... this gets me so often, I walk off with the lights on, come back ten minutes later and it's dead. I am certain I can replace it, but just need to know which model to buy. I don't care how stupid it looks, I just want it.
Record Breaker
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 1
I don't have an answer to your headlight question, I guess the PO removed the warning buzzer, like I did.
Your steering could be freezing because the drive belt is slipping. When a pump starts going bad it doesn't just work intermittently. You might also have debris in the hydraulics. You might want to consider flushing it and installing an magnetic in line filter on the return hose. And consider the possibility the steering gear itself might be binding internally, or some other steering components are binding.
Corroded battery wires should certainly be replaced. They can cause all sorts of issues besides the obvious ones. You can get new cables at any Autoparts store. They have different lengths. It's best to take your old ones with you to match up the right lengths. The red cable might need a couple different output wires depending on the configuration.
Excessive battery corrosion can indicate poor contacts on the grounds, or overcharging, so check your grounds and make sure your charging voltage does not exceed 14.7 volts. If you are sure the battery is fully charged, it should be around 13.7 or less but still above 12.8 with the engine running.
Your differential is the pumpkin on the rear axle. There is either a bolt of a rubber plug on the back to fill it up. When parked on a level surface, it must be filled until the oil level is up to the top of the fill hole.
I think 75w-90 is specified for the differential. I use synthetic for peace of mind.
Your steering could be freezing because the drive belt is slipping. When a pump starts going bad it doesn't just work intermittently. You might also have debris in the hydraulics. You might want to consider flushing it and installing an magnetic in line filter on the return hose. And consider the possibility the steering gear itself might be binding internally, or some other steering components are binding.
Corroded battery wires should certainly be replaced. They can cause all sorts of issues besides the obvious ones. You can get new cables at any Autoparts store. They have different lengths. It's best to take your old ones with you to match up the right lengths. The red cable might need a couple different output wires depending on the configuration.
Excessive battery corrosion can indicate poor contacts on the grounds, or overcharging, so check your grounds and make sure your charging voltage does not exceed 14.7 volts. If you are sure the battery is fully charged, it should be around 13.7 or less but still above 12.8 with the engine running.
Your differential is the pumpkin on the rear axle. There is either a bolt of a rubber plug on the back to fill it up. When parked on a level surface, it must be filled until the oil level is up to the top of the fill hole.
I think 75w-90 is specified for the differential. I use synthetic for peace of mind.
Record Breaker
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 1
From: North TX
For a headlamp on warning buzzer you can buy this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1965-...Q5fAccessories
Though it says for Mustang it will work on most any vehicle.
I have one very similar and it works well. Though you may want to pull a line from a parking lamp and run that to the buzzer instead of using the instrument lamp fuse as recommend. I have found that if I turn the headlight/dome switch all the way to the right to turn off the dome lamp that the buzzer will not work since the dash lights are dimmed out.
For the rear axle there is a rubber plug on the back side of the pumpkin housing cover to check/fill.
The steering pump if that is what you need can be bought from most auto parts stores.
The passenger seat on most cargo vans do not recline. If it did you would find a handle on the middle of the seat side facing the door.
Though it says for Mustang it will work on most any vehicle.
I have one very similar and it works well. Though you may want to pull a line from a parking lamp and run that to the buzzer instead of using the instrument lamp fuse as recommend. I have found that if I turn the headlight/dome switch all the way to the right to turn off the dome lamp that the buzzer will not work since the dash lights are dimmed out.
For the rear axle there is a rubber plug on the back side of the pumpkin housing cover to check/fill.
The steering pump if that is what you need can be bought from most auto parts stores.
The passenger seat on most cargo vans do not recline. If it did you would find a handle on the middle of the seat side facing the door.