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E torque alternator.

GyRoCoN said:
I have a question for you folks with the ET systems. since they replaced my MGU, the new unit has been smelling a little like hot electronics, to the point I can sometimes smell it through the HVAC vents. I am hopeful that its just because its new, but when I put my hand on it after a 30 minute drive, it was almost too hot to touch. I'm worried that's not a good sign. its not making any weird noises or anything. I realize its a generator most of the time, and those get hot, but has anyone else tested how hot these units feel? during the repair they updated the programming for the Etorque system to a newer build as well, and the Voltage seems to consistently be around 14.3 even after an hour long highway run. The old unit (old programming) would generally drop to the mid 13's volts after a short time. I'm just comparing notes here. I really don't feel like waiting another 8 weeks for another replacement if this things calves.
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I think HOT is normal.. Mine etorque is working fine and it was hot the last time I went under hood to look things over.
 
834k3r said:
Well, my alternator finally quit Saturday. I was 40 miles from home traveling on two lane highways and I got an alert "Auto Start/Stop Service Required." I changed my display to the battery voltage and sure enough, voltage was at 12v instead of 14v. I watched it the rest of the way home. As it dipped below 11v, warning display of "some systems have reduced power" popped up. When it dipped below 10v, the warning display was "cruise control no longer available" and "blind spot monitoring no longer available." I made it home with the battery at 9.8v.

Calling the dealership today to coordinate towing it to the dealership and getting a loaner.

Edit providing update: Called Chrysler Care. Expedited part. Called dealership to arrange for towing and loaner car. Because it's not under the powertrain warranty, but instead under some "environmental" warranty, it doesn't qualify for automatic approval for a loaner car (according to my SM). Called Chrysler Care again to ask for loaner and towing.
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Service department called Friday late afternoon and said it's done. I'm planning on picking it up today.

My timeline (for future thread reviewers):
First diagnosis - 1/20/25
Alternator died - 4/8/25
Repair complete - 4/18/25

Customer care did email me periodically, but the part apparently was sent to my dealership quickly (customer care's last email said there wasn't a part invoiced to my repair order) so the phone call from my service department caught me completely off guard.
 
Truck is back in my possession. Good to have her back.

I talked to the service rep when I picked her up and I asked what the "red line" is for battery voltage. He said he's not really sure, but it's probably in the 8-9v range (there are a number of systems that have 5v connection apparently). So if your alternator dies--as mine did two weeks ago--know that your 12v battery will keep going until it's to that 8-9v range.

Your mileage, as always, may vary.
 
Mojo88 said:
Started shopping for a RAM about a year ago. Compiled a list of " must haves" and "must NOT haves". As I researched RAM 1500's, this eTorque jumped out as a useless gimmick to me, so that limited me to older trucks. I ended up looking at hundreds of trucks online, before settling on 2019 Longhorn with all the options, but no eTorque.

I am totally in love with the truck I bought. It rides/drives like a Cadillac, and I bought HPTuners so I can tweak and tune the engine and trans to get everything running just like I want.

With new (old) management at RAM, I would certainly consider a new 1500, but not if it has eTorque or other useless gimmicks. I don't want MDS either. I'm hoping I can eventually buy a brand new, gimmick-free 1500 with 6.4L engine.... if they make one, that is......

Best of luck to all you guys with the eTorque trucks...............
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i agree 100% i did the same thing i ended up with what i consider to be a SWEET Laramie the way i would have ordered it. traded a 2020 Q cab BH with a plain old hemi.
love my ram, but we already have to worry about MDS issues taking out the cam and cracked exhaust manifolds. i didn't need another failure point let alone the fact that if it fails you are SOL and your trucks down till a MGU can be had. out of a warrantee you talking more $$ than i care pay out. for the 1 mpg you might get on paper. the cost to replace/repair ET far outweighs any fuel savings. RAM did not do us a favor they did it to meet government requirements.
the consumer ultimately pays the price.......
 
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834k3r said:
Service department called Friday late afternoon and said it's done. I'm planning on picking it up today.

My timeline (for future thread reviewers):
First diagnosis - 1/20/25
Alternator died - 4/8/25
Repair complete - 4/18/25

Customer care did email me periodically, but the part apparently was sent to my dealership quickly (customer care's last email said there wasn't a part invoiced to my repair order) so the phone call from my service department caught me completely off guard.
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Glad you got it fixed. Apparently there is no priority list/first come first served. Mine was diagnosed and ordered in Dec, died 4/19, still nothing today.
 
Word is that Ram parts guys can code parts orders as "vehicle on the ground" etc or emergency order, and you will receive your part before all Ram dealers just ordering MGUs for stock. Ram Cares and your dealer should verify this.
 
Driver said:
Word is that Ram parts guys can code parts orders as "vehicle on the ground" etc or emergency order, and you will receive your part before all Ram dealers just ordering MGUs for stock. Ram Cares and your dealer should verify this.
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I do remember "vehicle on the ground" as part of the conversation with Customer Care and the dealership. The caveat being the truck has to be at the dealership when that wording is used.
 
zlman said:
Glad you got it fixed. Apparently there is no priority list/first come first served. Mine was diagnosed and ordered in Dec, died 4/19, still nothing today.
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I had to actually call Customer Care and give them the information from the dealership. Your parts department will be able to give you the phone number, the repair order number, and the date it was ordered--that's all information Customer Care will need to expedite your case.
 
834k3r said:
I had to actually call Customer Care and give them the information from the dealership. Your parts department will be able to give you the phone number, the repair order number, and the date it was ordered--that's all information Customer Care will need to expedite your case.
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I’ve done this also but thanks for the info for others.
 
zlman said:
Glad you got it fixed. Apparently there is no priority list/first come first served. Mine was diagnosed and ordered in Dec, died 4/19, still nothing today.
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my truck has been sitting at the dealership for 9 weeks now, they put it on the top of the priority list, called ram care opened a case to expedite it, still waiting, so good luck.
 
I have my start stop turned off 99% of the time hoping to stop wear and tear.
 
zlman said:
Ram Cares called yesterday, said the MGU has shipped and dealership will receive next week. Fingers crossed this is real.
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What’s the Ram Cares phone number you used to call? I called them 2 weeks ago and they never called me back of any update after the case was opened.
 
timsram said:
What’s the Ram Cares phone number you used to call? I called them 2 weeks ago and they never called me back of any update after the case was opened.
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Somewhere in this thread is the number, I don't have it anymore.
 
timsram said:
What’s the Ram Cares phone number you used to call? I called them 2 weeks ago and they never called me back of any update after the case was opened.
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Try 866 726 4636 or 800 399 2668, used these summer of 2024. Best wishes and better luck than me.
 
zlman said:
Ram Cares called yesterday, said the MGU has shipped and dealership will receive next week. Fingers crossed this is real.
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Got my truck back last night, 41 days from failure to replacement. Dealership treated me fantastic, no complaints and I emailed the service director and praised her staff.
What does the future hold on next purchase, every brand has its issues, I know this. I have 9k miles of extended warranty coverage left and 14k miles under factory emissions on this truck. I won’t keep this one w/o warranty coverage. We’ll see which manufacturer appeals to me in the future, I’m not brand loyal/diehard to any of them, I’ll go where I perceive the best value for my wants.
Good luck to any of you waiting for parts!

*Edit to add, I saw the dealer invoice, MGU cost $3900, this didn’t include any labor.
 
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If you can't buy an mgu, the price doesn't matter much, however two dozen mopar dealers are listing them for sale at just over $900 plus a core charge, though none are in stock. Don't know how they get $3900 but it really doesn't matter.
 
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