[Dylanthenewf]

So, within the past 2 weeks I've noticed a couple of weird things happening to my truck. First thing is that when I'm driving, usually uphill and the truck has strain on the motor, it starts making a noise from the front end of the truck, almost like something vibrating. I don't know what could have caused this to randomly start happening. I've read a few forums and think maybe engine pinging but not 100%.
The second thing I've noticed is that when I turn my right signal light on, my left fog light also blinks, and sometimes even shuts off completely. Thought maybe the bulb was bad or something along those lines. But after checking I don't see anything obvious. I had led light installed about 8 months ago, and this is the first time it's anything weird has happened with them.
The 3rd and final thing, is the horn goes off at random times. I used remote start the other day and as soon as the truck started, the horn just started going off with it. But as soon as I turn the truck off it stops. Last night I was driving, and when I made a turn, my dog light went out and my horn started going off. So confused as to what is causing this to happen? Bad wiring maybe? And could all 3 things maybe be connected due to bad wiring?

Here's a video of the noise coming from the truck while driving. https://youtu.be/_2RLANuaWw0 If you listen closely you'll hear the vibrating/knocking noise I'm talking about.

Thanks, Dylan.

 

[Thunderhorse]

That sounds exactly like what my truck does, only for whatever reason I can never get the camera to capture the sound, I thought it may be pinging too so I took it to the dealer under the 3/36,000 warranty since I first noticed it around 27,000 miles. There were no codes, the knock sensors were still good, and there was essentially no evidence other than the sound to indicate that it was actually ping. The truck will do it from about 1800-2200 RPM, and the more I listen to it the more I think it is an exhaust thing or something rattling like a heat shield because it sounds like its coming from under my feet more than the engine itself. Plus, its been happening for at least 27,800 miles now (I am just over 54,800 miles on the truck) and if it was ping that is loud enough to hear then I am pretty sure my engine would either be trashed by now or it would have started consuming oil or something, and neither of those are the case. I think those RPM just cause a vibration that rattles something under there.

If it was pinging loud enough to hear then the knock sensors would pick it up for sure and from what I understand, the truck should retard ignition before it becomes audible, or the KR readings should at least appear unusually high-which according to the dealer they aren't. Either way, I have the paperwork from when I took it in so if I do have a failure later down the road I can show that signs first appeared during the warranty period so they should fix it under warranty even if a failure occurs outside the warranty period (5/100,000 powertrain).

Like I said I first noticed it at 27,000 or so, but it may have done it before that and i just didn't notice. That was around when I got my exhaust put on so I started driving around with the radio off and noticed it. How many miles are on your truck?


For the light issue it sounds like a grounding issue, but I am not too well versed in electrical things. The horn could also be a ground, or perhaps its the TIPM, I really don't know.

Also, welcome to the Z!

 

[Dylanthenewf]

Right now I have 103,000 km on my truck. I have power train warranty till 160,000 km. Only problem is, this past week I hooked a bully dog tuner up to my truck, so hopefully I can just uninstall it, and my warranty won't be void. I installed it, thinking maybe the noise was from a heat shield. Kind of mad with myself for installing it now. Also, I've tightened my heat shield, had my front end checked, and had a muffler installed about 30,000 km ago. Oil isn't getting low, I had all new plugs installed about 5 months ago at the dealer, and manifold fixed twice around the same time. About 2 weeks ago I installed an k&n intake which is around the same time I started noticing the noise. I checked to see if maybe there was play on my intake but there wasn't. So I'm kind of stuck, and don't really know what else to check. When I get a chance, I'm going to crawl under the truck and see if maybe a weld cracked on the muffler? I'm not sure what else to check.

And as for the light and horn issue, I guess I'll have to look into a bit more, check the grounds and make sure everything is still looking up to par.

Thanks for the advise! Any bit of input is appreciated!

 

[Thunderhorse]

Actually, can you read your knock retardation with the BullyDog? I don't like to mess with stock tuning and stuff so I don't have a tuner.

I did put a catch can on after my first plug change a few thousand miles after I noticed it in case it was excessive PCV residue building up on the combustion chambers; I'd take it off and replace it with the stock PCV line if I went in to the dealer just to prevent any issues from arising, even though it clearly wouldn't cause a problem.

I don't think it would be an issue for you since this sound started before you put the tuner on so it should be unrelated, but I guess it would depend on your dealer and if they go digging to see if someone tuned when they come in before looking for the actual problem.

I have heard CAIs can make your engine louder, but I don't have one so IDK if that just made a normal sound easier to hear or something. How did your plugs look?

 

[Dylanthenewf]

The plugs are good. Starting to think I may have a dirty mass air flow sensor. And as for the fog light and horn, turns out I had a bad relay.

 

[Thunderhorse]

Any update? I rolled over 57,000 miles today so its been happening for at least 30,000 miles. How do you clean the mass airflow sensor?

I did notice that in my Ram manual it says:

5.7L Engine
This engine is designed to meet all emissions
regulations and provide satisfactory
fuel economy and performance when using
high quality unleaded gasoline havingan octane range of 87 to 89. The manufacturer recommends
the use of 89 octane for optimum performance.
The use of premium gasoline is not recommended, as it
will not provide any benefit over regular gasoline in
these engines.
Light spark knock at low engine speeds is not harmful to
your engine. However, continued heavy spark knock at
high speeds can cause damage and immediate service is
required. Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such
as hard starting, stalling, and hesitations. If you experience
these symptoms, try another brand of gasoline
before considering service for the vehicle.

It does not specify what high and low engine speeds are considered to be. In the manual for the Durango I bought my wife Thursday it says:

5.7L Engine — If Equipped
This engine is designed to meet all emissions
regulations and provide satisfactory
fuel economy and performance when using
high-quality unleaded gasoline having
an octane range of 87 to 89 as specified by
the (R+M)/2 method. The use of 89 octane “Plus” gasoline
is recommended for optimum performance and fuel
economy.
While operating on gasoline with an octane number of
87, hearing a light knocking sound from the engine is not
a cause for concern. However, if the engine is heard
making a heavy knocking sound, see your dealer immediately.
Use of gasoline with an octane number lower
than 87 can cause engine failure and may void or not be
covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as hard
starting, stalling, and hesitations. If you experience these
symptoms, try another brand of gasoline before considering
service for the vehicle.

 

[huntergreen]

thunder, have you tried 93 octane just to see if it helps with the noise?

 

[Thunderhorse]

I tried 87 and 89 and it doesn't change it. It was in the 30s this morning and it did it the same as when it was 90 out. Maybe this is an exhaust leak and a part is tapping against something else depending on the flow. I'm going to investigate with a rubber mallet. Also maybe a heat shield