1999 DODGE RAM Service Repair Manual

leaking) ............... A ............ Require replacement.
Sound quality
unsatisfactory ......... 2 .. Suggest replacement to address
customer need and/or request.
Split (exhaust leaking) . A ............ Require replacement.
Weak due to corrosion, but
no leaks present ....... 1 ............ Suggest replacement.









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GEA R T O OTH C O NTA C T P A TTE R NS
1999 Dodge Pickup R1500
GENERAL INFORMATION
Gear Tooth Contact Patterns
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
The following article is for GENERAL INFORMATION purposes
only. Information does not SPECIFICALLY apply to all years, makes and
models, but is to be used as a general reference guide.
INSPECTION
PRELIMINARY INSPECTION
Wipe lubricant from internal parts. Rotate gears and inspect
for wear or damage. Mount dial indicator to housing, and check
backlash at several points around ring gear. Backlash must be within
specifications at all points. If no defects are found, check gear
tooth contact pattern.
GEAR TOOTH CONTACT PATTERN
NOTE: Drive pattern should be well centered on ring gear teeth.
Coast pattern should be centered, but may be slightly toward
toe of ring gear teeth.
1) Paint ring gear teeth with marking compound. Wrap cloth or
rope around drive pinion flange to act as brake. Rotate ring gear
until clear tooth contact pattern is obtained.
2) Contact pattern will indicate whether correct pinion
bearing mounting shim has been installed and if drive gear backlash
has been set properly. Backlash between drive gear and pinion must be
maintained within specified limits, until correct tooth pattern is
obtained.

Fig. 1: Drive Axle Gear Tooth Patterns
ADJUSTMENTS
GEAR BACKLASH & PINION SHIM CHANGES
NOTE: Backlash is adjusted by either moving shims from one side of
differential case to the other or by turning adjusting nuts
on which side bearing races ride. Changing of pinion shims
alters the distance from face of pinion of centerline of
ring gear.
1) With no change in backlash, moving pinion further from
ring gear moves drive pattern toward heel and top of tooth, and moves
coast pattern toward toe and top of tooth.
2) With no change in backlash, moving pinion closer to ring
gear moves drive pattern toward toe and bottom of tooth, and moves
coast pattern toward heel and bottom of tooth.
3) With no change in pinion shim thickness, an increase in
backlash moves ring gear further from pinion. Drive pattern moves
toward heel and top of tooth, and coast pattern moves toward heel and
top of tooth.

GEN ER AL C O OLIN G S YSTE M S ER VIC IN G
1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
GENERAL INFORMATION
General Cooling System Servicing
* PLEASE READ THIS FIRST *
The following article is for general information only.
Information may not apply to all years, makes and models. See specific
article in the ENGINE COOLING section.
DESCRIPTION
The basic liquid cooling system consists of a radiator, water
pump, thermostat, electric or belt-driven cooling fan, pressure cap,
heater, and various connecting hoses and cooling passages in the block
and cylinder head.
MAINTENANCE
DRAINING
Remove radiator cap and open heater control valve to maximum
heat position. Open drain cocks or remove plugs in bottom of radiator
and engine block. In-line engines usually have one plug or drain cock,
while "V" type engines will have 2, one in each bank of cylinders.
CLEANING
A good cleaning compound removes most rust and scale. Follow
manufacturer's instructions in the use of cleaner. If considerable
rust and scale has to be removed, cooling system should be flushed.
Clean radiator air passages with compressed air.
FLUSHING
CAUTION: Some manufacturers use an aluminum and plastic radiator.
Flushing solution must be compatible with aluminum.
Back Flushing
Back flushing is an effective means of removing cooling
system rust and scale. The radiator, engine and heater core should be
flushed separately.
Radiator
To flush radiator, connect flushing gun to water outlet of
radiator and disconnect water inlet hose. To prevent flooding engine,
use a hose connected to radiator inlet. Use air in short bursts to
prevent damage to radiator. Continue flushing until water runs clear.
Engine
To flush engine, remove thermostat and replace housing.
Connect flushing gun to water outlet of engine. Flush using short air
bursts until water runs clean.
Heater Core
Flush heater core as described for radiator. Ensure heater
control valve is set to maximum heat position before flushing heater.

REFILLING
To prevent air from being trapped in engine block, engine
should be running when refilling cooling system. After system is full,
continue running engine until thermostat is open, then recheck fill
level. Do not overfill system.
TESTING
THERMOSTAT
1) Visually inspect thermostat for corrosion and proper
sealing of valve and seat. If okay, suspend thermostat and thermometer
in a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water. See Fig. 1. Do not allow
thermostat or thermometer to touch bottom of container. Heat water
until thermostat just begins to open.
2) Read temperature on thermometer. This is the initial
opening temperature and should be within specification. Continue
heating water until thermostat is fully open and note temperature.
This is the fully opened temperature. If either reading is not to
specification, replace thermostat.
Fig. 1: Testing Thermostat in Anti-Freeze/Water Solution
PRESSURE TESTING
A pressure tester is used to check both radiator cap and

complete cooling system. Test components as follows, following tool
manufacturer's instructions.
Radiator Cap
Visually inspect radiator cap, then dip cap into water and
connect to tester. Pump tester to bring pressure to upper limit of cap
specification. If cap fails to hold pressure, replace cap.
Fig. 2: Testing Radiator Pressure Cap
Cooling System
1) With engine off, wipe radiator filler neck seat clean.
Fill radiator to correct level. Attach tester to radiator and pump
until pressure is at upper level of radiator rating.
2) If pressure drops, inspect for external leaks. If no leaks
are apparent, detach tester and run engine until normal operating
temperature is reached. Reattach tester and observe. If pressure
builds up immediately, a possible leak exists from a faulty head
gasket or crack in head or block.
NOTE: Pressure may build up quickly. Release any excess pressure
or cooling system damage may result.
3) If there is no immediate pressure build up, pump tester to
within system pressure range (on radiator cap). Vibration of gauge
pointer indicates compression or combustion leak into cooling system.
Isolate leak by shorting each spark plug wire to cylinder block. Gauge
pointer should stop or decrease vibration when leaking cylinder is
shorted.

HEA TE R S YSTE M

1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
1999 HEATER SYSTEMS
RWD Trucks & Vans
CHRYSLER
Dakota, Durango, Ram Pickup, Ram Van/Wagon
DESCRIPTION
All models use a blend-air system. Outside air enters heater
through cowl opening and passes through a plenum chamber to heater
core. Blend air door in heater housing controls temperature by either
directing air through or around heater core. Air flow is then directed
through dash panel to air distribution duct in passenger compartment.
On Durango, air taken from the front heater system is fed
back through an air duct into the center console. At the rear of the
center console, passengers can operate a 3 mode switch to adjust air
flow. Temperature and blower speeds are controlled by the front heater
control panel.
WARNING: To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and
carefully follow all SERVICE PRECAUTIONS and DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM procedures in AIR BAG SYSTEM SAFETY
article.
OPERATION
HEATER CONTROL PANEL
Blower Motor Switch
Fan speed is controlled with a rotary blower motor switch.
There are 4 different fan speed settings: one low speed, 2 medium
speeds, and one high speed.
Mode Control Knob
A rotary mode switch is used to control air flow. There are 5
different modes of operation: panel, floor/panel, floor,
floor/defrost, and defrost.
Temperature Control Knob
Rotary control knob determines discharge air temperature by
positioning blend/air door. On Dakota and Durango, temperature blend-
air door is cable operated. On Ram Pickup and Ram Van/Wagon,
temperature blend-air door is electrically operated. When a hot
temperature is selected, all air flows through heater core.
ADJUSTMENTS
TEMPERATURE CONTROL CABLE ADJUSTMENT
Dakota & Durango
1) Ensure temperature control cable housing and core are
connected at both heater control panel and heater assembly. Ensure
heater control panel is properly installed.
2) Rotate temperature control knob so that knob pointer is at
12 o'clock position. Pull temperature control knob straight out from
heater control panel until perimeter of knob (not knob pointer)
protrudes about .25" (6 mm) from face of heater control panel.
3) Rotate temperature control knob clockwise so that knob

pointer is at one o'clock position. Push in on knob slightly and
continue rotating knob to its full clockwise stop. Place knob pointer
at a position about .32" (8 mm) beyond end of Red stripe. Release
knob. If knob is pointing at about .32" (8 mm) beyond end of Red
stripe, go to next step. If knob is not pointing at about .32" (8 mm)
beyond end of Red stripe, go back to step 2) and repeat adjustment
procedure.
4) Rotate temperature control knob counterclockwise so that
knob pointer is at 12 o'clock position. Push temperature control knob
straight into heater control panel until perimeter of knob (not knob
pointer) is flush with base of heater control panel.
5) Rotate temperature control knob to its full clockwise
stop. Release knob. Knob pointer should be aimed at end of Red stripe.
If knob is pointed at end of Red stripe, go to next step. If knob is
not pointed at end of Red stripe, go back to step 2) and repeat
adjustment procedure.
6) Rotate temperature control knob to its full
counterclockwise stop. Release knob. If knob springs back, self-
adjuster clip securing temperature control cable to blend-air door
lever is improperly installed. See TEMPERATURE CONTROL CABLE R & I
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If knob does not springs back,
temperature control cable adjustment is complete.
TROUBLE SHOOTING
HEATER PERFORMANCE
Check cooling system. Check serpentine drive belt tension.
Check radiator and radiator fan operation. Ensure that accessory
vacuum supply line is connected at power brake booster (Dakota) or
engine vacuum source (except Dakota).
TESTING
WARNING: To avoid injury from accidental air bag deployment, read and
carefully follow all SERVICE PRECAUTIONS and DISABLING &
ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM procedures in AIR BAG SYSTEM SAFETY
article.
BLOWER MOTOR RELAYS
1) Blower motor relay is located in Power Distribution Center
(PDC). On Ram Van/Wagon, high speed blower motor relay is located in
engine compartment (on side of heater assembly). On all models,
disconnect negative battery cable. Remove blower motor relay. Using an
ohmmeter, check for continuity between terminals No. 87A and 30 of
relay. See Fig. 1. If continuity does not exist, replace relay. If
continuity exists, go to next step.
2) Using an ohmmeter, check for continuity between terminals
No. 30 and 87 of relay. If continuity exists, replace relay. If
continuity does not exist, go to next step.
3) Measure resistance between terminals No. 85 and 86 of
relay. Reading should be 70-80 ohms. If reading is not as specified,
replace relay. If reading is as specified, go to next step.
4) Using jumper wires, connect battery voltage to terminal
No. 86 and ground terminal No. 85. See Fig. 1. Check that continuity
exists between terminals No. 30 and 87. Check that continuity does not
exist between terminals No. 87A and 30. If continuity is not as
specified, replace blower motor relay. If continuity is as specified,
relay is okay.