2003 5.7 Hemi Ram 2500 TECH question???

[QuickBpBp]

2003 Ram 5.7 2500 237,000 miles.. Started as I had an intermittent miss, Then went into limp mode. Shut-off vehicle started back up and made it home had the small gauge lamp light up with the lightning bolt on right side of dash.. That went away after restart. Parked vehicle then a no crank condition with intermittent start stall. I chased everything and found it was the ground strap on the drivers side valve cover because it was chewed through by mice... I just bought the last NOS Valve cover ground strap in the US from any dealership as they are discontinued not supereceeded and GONE from everywhere on the net... Anyway my question is do I need to remove the entire valve cover to replace this strap? I believe I do and if so what should I buy to complete the job correctly?

 

[David Stillie]

If the valve cover has to come off ( i dont think it does), you will need a valve cover gasket, spark plug seals and the seals that go around the bolts.

 

[QuickBpBp]

If the valve cover has to come off ( i dont think it does), you will need a valve cover gasket, spark plug seals and the seals that go around the bolts.

Thanks I hope your right. I just NEVER messed with it and every time you think something is simple it turns into a "Why did they build it like this" moment...

 

[5.7 hemi]

The valve cover gasket is totally reusable as are the figure 8 shaped gaskets.

The ground strap is attached to the back of each head. No reason to take the cover off.

 

[David Stillie]

If the seals are in good shape then sure you can reuse them. It's good to have them on hand, just in case.

 

[QuickBpBp]

View attachment 913016

The valve cover gasket is totally reusable as are the figure 8 shaped gaskets.

The ground strap is attached to the back of each head. No reason to take the cover off.

This is incorrect as far as where this factory ground strap is. The ground straps are on each valve cover bolt near the center of the intake manifold. There may be other grounds but the one that is bad on mine is the drivers side center valve cover. Passenger side still looks like new...I do believe I can just unscrew the stud and remove the grommet and replace the strap after seeing a valve cover off in a picture..

Found this pic on the net and I believe valve cover can stay on just removed the stud...

 

[5.7 hemi]

I just reread the original post, my mistake. I was thinking about the later engines that use a plastic valve cover.

I would move that strap to the back of the head anyway for aesthetics and it gets it out of the way.

 

[Slap Stick]

I would just use heavy gauge wire with an eye on each end. Gotta be cheaper than the dealer.

Works on my bikes.

 

[QuickBpBp]

Fixed it yesterday as it was warm out and gonna be warmer 55 degrees today. Runs good again and no problem starting right up... Amazing what a bad ground can do it today's modern vehicles. My son went through this with his 05 Mustang over the summer. Mechanics diagnosed it as the computer after Multiple Alternators and 2 batteries. Spent $700 on a new computer and reprogramming keys and that was not it. All it was were the grounds on the radiator support had some corrosion...
This was the culprit..

 

[David Stillie]

Glad it's fixed. I'm a little worried though as there are several other important grounds on the engine. There is a main one from the battery to the block that gives trouble. Like I said, glad to hear it's running again.

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

Hard to find GOOD mechanics these days,,,,,,,even at dealerships!

 

[QuickBpBp]

Hard to find GOOD mechanics these days,,,,,,,even at dealerships!

Exactly Most are Parts replacers NOT Mechanics there is a HUGE difference...

 

[Javier]

I know it is an old post, but, Does someone know the part number of that ground strap? I can't find it nowhere.

 

[5.7 hemi]

Make your own. Easy and cheap.

 

[Javier]

Thank you. I have to do it because I finally found the number ... Mopar 56029062AC ... but not in stock in any store.

 

[QuickBpBp]

Thank you. I have to do it because I finally found the number ... Mopar 56029062AC ... but not in stock in any store.

I literally bought the last one that was available in the US Inventory.. None are available after market you will have to make one...