odometer rollback?

lomodyj

lomodyj

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Mar 21, 2005
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I'm looking at 03-04 Dodge CTD's to replace my 96. Have a lead on a nice one that meets all my needs and most of my wants. CarFax is showing an odometer rollback on it. Could be as much as 60k miles out. It may have just been reported wrong by the TX DMV when it was last registered. Question is... Can the electronic odo be rolled back and is there any way to check on it?
 
I have heard that some chrysler (jeep) electronic odo's just stop working. and then will come back at random moments and work for a while, and then go out again, and then come back again, and back out, and.........
 
The cluster could have been replaced, or the computer, wherever the mileage is stored on the Dodges...
 
Galen,

That may be just a clerical error or someone trying to hide something.
Best thing to do is see if you can research records, like oil changes and service records.
60k is a big deal in my opinion. I say if they can't show you something to back up the numbers, I'd walk away from that one.. UNLESS the price is very right..

Oh, one more thing, the computer will say if the dash was not factory. It is very easy to swap a dash/odometer out of a lower mileage vehicle.. New technology, old tricks...
 
strange1 said:
I have heard that some chrysler (jeep) electronic odo's just stop working. and then will come back at random moments and work for a while, and then go out again, and then come back again, and back out, and.........
Click to expand...

my whole cluster will go out in my jeep randomly for different lengths of time. sometimes it will be a day or more, sometimes it'll only be for a few minutes.
 
RickyR said:
Oh, one more thing, the computer will say if the dash was not factory. It is very easy to swap a dash/odometer out of a lower mileage vehicle.. New technology, old tricks...
Click to expand...

I'd look into it a bit more. I don't think you can swap the cluster in a late-model Dodge w/o FUBARing it. The odo is stored in the chassis computer and in the cluster. The VIN is in the PCM computer on the motor and in the chassis computer, maybe in the cluster too. I *think* engine hours are stored in all three, but I'm least sure about that one. Anyway, I was specifically told that if you swap the cluster, when the chassis computer self-checks it sees the mismatch and won't start. Dunno if it's true or not, but it sounds reasonable.
 
saf-t scissors said:
I'd look into it a bit more. I don't think you can swap the cluster in a late-model Dodge w/o FUBARing it. The odo is stored in the chassis computer and in the cluster. The VIN is in the PCM computer on the motor and in the chassis computer, maybe in the cluster too. I *think* engine hours are stored in all three, but I'm least sure about that one. Anyway, I was specifically told that if you swap the cluster, when the chassis computer self-checks it sees the mismatch and won't start. Dunno if it's true or not, but it sounds reasonable.
Click to expand...
exactly right. in the event of a cluster change, the correct mileage can be reflashed into the vehicle by a dealer (or anyone else that can get their hands on the equipment).

not saying fraud can't happen, but as the post above details, it's hardly as simple as swapping clusters. at least in this particular case.
 
I don't know how much dodge and jeep have in common, but I changed a cluster on a 02 wrangler last week and it didnt work. Ended up needed to be reprogrammed at the dealer to match the computer.
 
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