Hey guys,
On December 11, 2023, at approximately 6:00 PM, I purchased my 2024 Ram 1500 Rebel 5.7 E-torque, Rebel, 3.94 anti-spin, etc. After leaving the dealership, I headed to a nearby shopping center for food. Upon returning to my vehicle, I encountered issues starting the engine. Both the remote start and push-to-start features failed to initiate the engine. Despite multiple attempts, the engine remained unresponsive. Intrigued, I opened the hood and conducted a thorough inspection. I checked the battery wires, ensuring a tight fit, and then inspected the PCM (Engine Control Module) and its connectors. All connections appeared secure. Upon returning to the vehicle and making a third attempt, the engine finally started.
Following the engine start, the dashboard displayed a check engine light. Concerned, I immediately contacted the dealership for guidance. They suggested bringing the truck to them or seeking service at a nearby dealership. Due to the dealership's distance from my residence and work, I opted for a local dealership near my address on file. Following the next day, my check engine light eventually went away.
While awaiting my service appointment, the engine issue recurred twice, and the check engine light reilluminated. Once, in the evening as I was leaving for work, and another instance occurred while leaving work. During my commute, the engine shut off, leaving only the brake system and all the electronics functional. I promptly pulled over to a nearby parking lot, popped the hood, and conducted another inspection. This time, I performed a wiggle test on the wires of the PCM and Battery, and upon restarting the engine, it resumed normal operation. It still illuminated a check engine light.
On December 14, 2023, at around 08:30 AM, I dropped off my vehicle at Preston Chrysler, Dodge, Ram Dealership, located at 28380 Dupont Blvd, Millsboro, DE 19966. During a short wait, the Service Department Representative informed me that the technician had conducted a wiggle test on the PCM while the vehicle was on, resulting in the engine shutting off. The Service rep mentioned that they identified the issue but could not obtain the necessary parts due to the truck's novelty. The parts, including the PCM (Engine Control Module PART#: 68568655AB) and Engine Wires (PART #: 68569594AB), were not available in their parts ordering software, with no estimated time of availability.
The Service Rep. offered a loaner car, but none were currently available. Following my dealership's advice, I contacted Ram Customer Care to open a case. I was authorized over the phone for a rental for up to five days with a $75/day cap until a case manager contacted me. I obtained a rental through Enterprise on December 15, 2023, at approximately 08:19 AM, scheduling its return for December 18, 2023, at around 11:30 AM.
In a subsequent inquiry, The Service Rep. confirmed the required parts and attempted to locate them in the inventory. Despite exploring the availability elsewhere, including North Carolina, the parts remained elusive. The Service Rep. relayed my salesman's information about a potential PCM part in North Carolina but later confirmed its reservation for another customer.
I am looking for some insight on what I could potentially due. The dealer has no idea when the parts are going to be available, yet when I call around to other MOPAR areas (ex., Texas), they say the distribution center near them has seven PCMs in inventory but two Engine Wires in transit. They contradict one another when it comes to inventory available. Is it because the Parts department can only view what is nearby? The Ram Care Case Manager says she will try expediting my process for the parts, whatever that means. I just wanted to see what you guys think.