6 Sept 2017 - Recall Notices

Recalls so far...

Recall Number	Date Issued	Date Completed	Description
S43	7/1/2016	6/1/2017	PASSENGER AIRBAG INFLATOR
T36	8/24/2017	-NA-	LD/LX/LC, WD-WK 160/180 AMP ALTERNATORS
P01	2/12/2014	6/1/2017	ENGINE TIMING CHAIN AND CHAIN GUIDE

6 Sept 2017 - Recall Notice

5 Sept 2017 I received a recall notice regarding issues with the alternator.

I had a problem with the alternator in may of 2017 so I replaced it.

The recall paperwork(TSB) indicates that I might be able to get a reimbursement for the replacment I installed.  I have now filed the required paperwork and its a matter of wait and see.

The reimbursement process takes about 60 days or so.

The TSB also indicates that even though I replaced the alternator that, Dodge must replace the unit to comply with the TSB.

2 Sept 2017 - Driver side in-dash clicking

Today I was able to replace the faulty actuator.  It was either an Air blend door actuator or heat/air blend actuator or those are one and the same.

Last week I ordered a replacement part but didn't have the opportunity to work on the RT.

The replacement is a bit of a pain, but with patience(about 3 hours or so) it can be done.

I positioned the driver seat as far back and low as it would go(it is the electric model).

Disconnect the battery.  Since work is being done in the dash area and thats where the air bags reside, accidental deployment would be bad.

I decided to remove the lower dash piece.  That required removing the door threshhold cover and the front piece of the door frame plastic.  You will see what I mean as you remove the lower dash pieces/parts.

Once all of the screws are out, the lower dash piece can be popped out.  There are two electric connectors to be wary of, left side of panel has the trunk release switch, right side has the sensor for the A/C.

After the plastic lower dash piece is out of the way, the metal plate needs to be removed.

Now it is ALOT easier to see the actuators and work on them.

The actuator that was faulty was the top most unit.

The tools I used to remove the unit;

•  T20 torx bit
• ratcheting wrench designed for screwdriver bits
• long standard screwdriver
• phillips screw driver
• variety of flashlights(handheld, magnetic handheld and headband style)
• 10 mm wrench for battery connector
• 10 mm socket for lower dash metal plate

To remove that top actuator, remove the screws holding the actuator to the housing.  After the actuator is unfastened and removed from its mounting point, the electrical connector is all that is holding it up there in the dash.  Pop the red piece holding the connector to the actuator and press and hold the connector to push it up and out of actuator.

Do a reverse of these steps to re-install.  Patience, patience, patience is all I can say....

The circle indicates the failure.  The two missing teeth were the cause of the clicking sound.  Now, the reason the teeth are missing, dunno, but that took ALOT of torque to destroy two teeth.