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I have the same Promaster 2018. I absolutely love this van and have all but stopped driving my Honda Civic. This van turns on a dime. Great driving experience sitting up high. My van came with back windows and I added CR Laurence vented windows in sliding door and across. Really helps me feel more confident about lane changes with visability. I am slowly converting my van and will be starting electrical with solar and a lithium battery in September.
Windows were a must for us!!! SO MUCH easier to drive and change lanes. It does drive great and the turning radius is quite amazing. Even though our van is approaching Mac weight it still has some pep!! Happy Building! Hope to see you on the road one of these days!
I have a 2015 PM and have a few of the same issues. To fix the "squishy step" I used a sheet of 1/8" Lexan and put it underneath the plastic flooring. It adds support, and makes it tolerable. For the doors not closing it may be a lack of venting. Many of the larger Promasters have built in one way vents above the wheel wells to allow air to move out as you close the large side door. If you don't have those vents, or if they have been covered by your build you may need to add another vent. To test this, just leave one of the windows open and see if you still have the same issue.
+Johnny Rambles Nice information and tip about having a vent so the slider will close. As soon as I put all the adjustments back to the original locations all give it a shot. Thank you!
I have a 2017 2500 and have changed my headlight once, and every once in a while, I can smell coolant, but never had issues with the slider or the blinker. Every vehicle is going to have some quirks and I'm still glad I chose mine over Sprinter and Transit.
+MrSharkphoto we love the Promaster as well! However, would love to have 4X4... transit is coming with one next year. Still we are in for the long haul with our Promaster even with its quirks! Thanks for watching and commenting.
once in a while i smell coolant but i only need to top off the coolant like once a year, which is normal for any vehicle and the amount i use to top off is like a half pint to a pint, so its clearly not a real issue. mine is also a 2017 and still have not needed to replace not even one bulb on the whole van
Thanks for another great video, love your channel! This may have already been addressed in the comments but there are too many to read which is a good thing for you! The slider door issue is from a lack of air displacement. Easy solution: Open another door so the air can rush out. I have gotten in the habit of opening the front door with my right hand closing the slider with my left and then closing the front door. Easy, free solution.
Sometimes a door might not close ‘properly’ because of the vacuum in the van. Try closing the sliding door with either the drivers or passenger door/window open for air to escape. I really enjoyed this build. Thanks for tips and ideas because the promaster is my choice specific to bed and width and ease to get repairs done when needed. You also need to adjust your license plate blur out in the vlog. Cheers from Canader eh!
The suggesion above worked: We have to open both the driver side & the passenger side windows for the "sliding door open" alarm light on the dashboard to turn-off. Thank you.
@@susanscovill6817 Yes, that's right, with the roof vent open, the "sliding door open" alert is not an issue which was why we didn't had the issue before because the roof vent was always open whenever we closed the sliding door. We just got our Promaster last week, and we only experienced the issue all day yesterday, and it drove us nuts. Anyway thank you for your suggestion. Saved us a trip to the dealer.
Hey guys I was the guy sitting in front of you by myself at the Nomadic Fanatic meet and greet today. For the coolant smell you might want to check and make sure all of the clamps on the radiator hoses are tight. I had a 1983 escort where I could smell the same thing and it would up being a radiator hose clamp that was about a half turn loose. I tightened the clamp and the smell went away. Good luck on the channel and keep the good stuff coming.
We learned that opening the front door before closing the slider helps it close easier. We must have packed the air vents full of insulation. 😂 We have now been on the road 5 years and still loving our van. Take care and hope to meet you on the road sometime.
Ive never changed a headlight in 38k. I have changed several heated mirrors that stop heating. I do smell the coolant, and my doors are the same way. Would I buy another one? In a heartbeat ❤️
the door seems to be the sensor,, you can bypass it by connecting the wires together,, if you continue to slam the door you will wear out the slides and lock quicker.. best luck
+Highway Robbery Thanks for the tip. I put the door adjustments back in the original position and now as long as one of the doors are open it closes most every time. Love these kind of tips..we appreciate the help 😀
@Krister Lagerström That video was incredible. A number of great tips when doing a BF drain and refill. I liked that he even included the grease install tutorial for free.
the comments I have read on the internet is that the radiator leaks and the bulbs burn out and the doors not closing properly. Some report that the flex plate in the transmission breaks.
I have one of these for a work van and I'm not at all impressed with it. It's got 116,000 km on it (72,000 miles). Currently the rear engine seal is leaking, I get the coolant smell all the time and the sliding door won't latch in the cold, which can be a bit of an issue in Canada. The alternator went out at 85,000 km (53,000 miles) and it took 8 days to get a replacement. It's a 5 1/2 hour job to replace it and the bill was just over $2200 (Canadian). 15,000 km later (9300 miles) it had virtually no heat. Into the dealer again and the radiator had to be replaced. Quicker that the alternator, but the tab was still north of $2000. I always joke that this is what happens when the French and the Italians get together to design a vehicle.
Unfortunate for your luck. The thing is though, not every vehicle will be the same. You would have to do research on that. To see if you were unfortunate or these Van's really do break down. I had a 2005 neon. Bought it new and It never broke down. I was surprised. I want a 118 model the short base for me and my dog to travel.
Dave, thank you for the information. I just bought it 2019 2500 Promaster. I was not aware that there were wires running under the squishy step, so thank you. As for the rear sliding door, I found that if I open a window, the door closes without a problem. Then I just close the window. I’m still trying to get used to the way that the blinker blinks three or four times after I’ve just hit the highbeams. I will let you know if I figure out how to avoid that problem. I am a new subscriber… Keep up the good work!
+David Yule Thank you! We are happy to have you along. Now that you mention it my jeep was the same way. If I cracked the window no problems with the doors. Maybe all try that before I disconnect the sensor. Are you planning on building out your new Promaster?
one adVANture at a time Hi Dave, I’m having the work done by Glampervan. They put a deck on the roof. I noticed that you have a deck also. Maybe our paths will cross in the future. Happy motoring.
I've learned to crack a window as well, or when closing from the outside there is a nice handprint where I push in at the back while sliding it forward. Apparently there are air baffles in the wheel wells that are supposed to help with this but I haven't found them yet in my quest to possibly enlarge them. There is another known somewhat-related issue in that the top rear of the sliding door can leak in a hard driving rain.
@@shreddagorge... I thought the baffles behind the wheel wells by the rear doors were part of the flow through ventilation. Keeps the humidity down inside, Almost all cars have the same system. Mine got covered in the build , but no problems closing at all. Plus My Maxx Fans keep the air moving. I see a lot of builds where they put a ton of wood plus insulation on the slider... Just asking for problems!
Good call on relieving the air pressure...You are activating what Tony calls their version of "lane change assist" when you grab for the high beam on/off. It's pretty sensitive... My 2019 has the opposite problem. When I activate the LCA, I have to usually pull the turn lever twice?? I think it depends on the steering wheel position??
Try cleaning the electronic contacts on the sliding door. My newest issue is the oil light comes on with the seat belt light. When I unplug the seat belt the oil light comes on.
There seems to be a defect in the design of coolant container "Check for a leakage where it says MIN - on the container and also check the Hose underneath it" the Headlight has a cap behind it. If you take it off it will allow the moisture to evaporate which resolves the water issue in the Headlights.
I have a 2014 3500 Ram Promaster with 578,420 miles on it. Your squishy spot, that is where your fuel pump is. Easy to get to and replace. Most people just lay a piece of plywood over it. But your idea is good too. As far as your coolant smell. It can be a number of things. Most times it's the thermostat housing. It might have a crack in it. I've replaced mine and it comes with the thermostat in it. But I did eventually find where my smell was coming from. The coolant reservoir in mine had small cracks on the bottom of it where the one radiator hose connected to it. I had it out one day and seen the cracks in it. Put an aftermarket one in, smell is gone. It would seep through the cracks and follow the hose down and the heat from the engine would evaporate it. Also, be careful who changes your oil. When they take the oil filter cap off and on, they need to be very careful. It's connected to the oil cooler, and if they are not careful, it can crack the housing. Then you have an oil leak that looks like a rear main seal is bad. Also do not let them torque the cap back on. That will also crack the housing. I do all my own oil changes now and just snug the filter cap on. Another thing that will happen if the oil cooler housing gets cracked, it will fill up the valley of the engine, seep over the front, and get on your harmonic balancer. The oil loosens the rubber on the balancer and guess what. You will start it up one day and it explodes! I'm sure you have heard about the dreaded Pentastar 3.6 engine tick??? When you hear a metal to metal tick from your engine, a cam follower has failed. It's a common problem with these engines. If you wait too long to get it fixed, it wipes the cam out. Yes, everything I have described here, has happened to me. I know my van inside and out now!! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I most likely know the answer. Y'all have a great day!!! Randy.
Thank you so much for the information!! I am certain I will be contacting you in the future with a question or two. Almost 600000 miles sounds pretty awesome to me. I am going to hunt for that coolant leak again now I know a few more places to check. I do have a couple of questions already. How many miles have you been going before changing out the transmission fluid and is that something you do yourself? Amount how many miles have you been getting out of your brake pads...I know it's different for everyone, just looking for a ballpark number. I am so glad you comment and offered some help. Thank you! Take care and stay safe.
@@oneadVANtureatatime I get my transmission filter changed once a year, at a shop I trust. Whatever fluid comes out, they replace. I just don't trust the "transmission fluid flush". This is still the original transmission in my van. As far as brakes go, I expedite freight in my van for FedEx Custom Critical all over the USA. So most of my driving is highway. I changed all my rotors and pads 17 months ago, and when my cousin rotated my tires, all the brakes look good. I travel around 60,000 miles to 100,000 miles a year. So my rule of thumb is, look at your brakes Everytime you rotate your tires. Go to a shop that you trust. I hope this helps. Stay safe!
Homestead Homie Thank you! We drove 35k miles last year and I thought that was a lot! If you ever get into the van lifestyle we can hook you up with a lot of need to know info. Thank you for your time. Take good care and drive safe. 😀
@@oneadVANtureatatime Thank you. I already live the van lifestyle! I sold my house 3 years ago and went full time living in a van doing expedite deliveries. My van is equipped with a 3000 watt Honda generator, roof top AC, fantastic fan, Espar heater that runs off my van gas tank, 2- 100 amp hour AGM batteries, 3000 watt inverter, 96 quart Whynter fridge/freezer, microwave, coffee machine, full bed, and a composting toilet. The only thing I don't have, is a shower. But my brother is a truck driver and he gets me "shower Power" so I shower everyday at a Pilot/Flying J for free. Even with everything in here, I can still haul 3 pallets of freight, or 6 if they stack them. My bed folds up flat against the wall. So I guess you can say i'm living the van life!!! LOL!!! Randy.
oh gosh! I hope you are kidding. Living in a small space and being together 24/7 is challenging!! You learn some routines, how to have alone time and LOTS OF COMMUNICATION.
Yes! I live in my Promaster too and I have experienced ALL of these issues except the headlight. (Fingers crossed). Thanks for the idea on the squishy. I have been trying to figure out what to do with it. The coolant smell is annoying and I have never found a leak either!
+Jan Rachels I am happy that these are all small issues. However the sliding door not shutting all the way gets old quick. 😀 Let us know if you have noticed anything we missed. I am curious what year and how many miles you have.. Thank you very much for watching and giving feedback to share. Happy travels.
one adVANture at a time I have a 2017 that I bought with about 35,000 miles on it and I have put about 40,000 on it since. I used a lot of crate wood in my build so it’s kind of heavy. I do love my van and love living in it full time. That sliding door is frustrating! I can’t count the number of times I’m all ready to go, buckled up and then... beeeeeeeep! I unbuckle, cross the squishy, go slam the door and maybe do it two or three more times before it actually closes. One other thing I wish I could do is lock all the door while the van is running. I have two keys but I can’t lock the van with my second key if the van is running. Can you?
Roodle found a button to lock 🔑 the doors from the inside..the button to the right of the big red hazard light button. Our keys don't work either and was a huge concern at first. Our van is heavy as well, we overbuilt for sure. We weigh 8, 600 pounds so very close to the limit.
one adVANture at a time gotta love those furry babies! I have two with me and they are getting old like me but love the road too. That’s why I wanted to be able to lock them in with the van running so I could go in to a grocery store of something. Lots of places we go are too hot not to leave the AC on.
Oh gotcha! Yeah we can’t lock from the outside with the van running either! But you can lock it from the inside with the van running. Doesn’t really help with in your situation though.... wish we had an answer for you☹️ sometimes traveling with our fur babies is difficult.BUT I can’t imagine Roodle not being with us!
Great solution for the squishy step! And I love that you thought to put the inverter there! I'm thinking the manufacturer wasn't expecting all these van conversions where people would be walking in that area at the back between the front seats. Hopefully the newer models have taken this into account.
These Dodge ( or in Europe as PSA group Peugeot/Fiat/Citroen) are used as bases for motorhome (RV) conversion. So they must consider it not to be an issue
Or just put down a OEM floor mat with the water channels. It's thick enough to solve the problem and keeps all the small rocks from getting in all the nooks and crannies. Still a terrible design... Thanks Tony (F.I.A.T)
For the sliding door, I only have problems when all of the other doors are closed. If you open the passenger door, then close the sliding door, it relieves the over-pressure and closes easily.
+AmJustDuane yes, we didn’t think of that 🤦♂️ thank you for your comment! It works perfect now!!! Glad we made a video otherwise we would have never figured it out.
We have a 2016 & we have exactly the same issues so hillarious 😂. I thought the high beam & blinker thing was just me too and we've driven ours over 415,000 miles!! We do long distance patient transports in ours. If you crack one of the front windows it will be easier to shut the sliding door and get it the first time. We didn't think about the squishy step being a problem though, but we don't walk through there anyway, we'll have to be keep an eye on that.
@@oneadVANtureatatime I was glad to find out it wasn't just me on that. We get a lot of am I seeing that mileage right, total dumfounded look when we get our oil changed every 7500 miles, all over the country 😂
I got a 2015 Ram Promaster 1500 I fixed the door issue Same headlight issue note light bulbs have an hour rating 500 hours. The headlights have two settings on all the time and on when you turn them on, daytime running lights burn out faster then night time only.
Ummm yes I have a 2018 2500 ProMaster but I love everything about mine. No problems EXCEPT the dreaded “squishy spot” between the front seats!! I put LifeProof Flooring in mine so I just used a leftover piece doubled to cover the squishy area. Seems like a BIG flaw to me but now it has more support so no problems with it! ….. “Keep on Van’in Y’all!”
Yes x 5. You nailed most of my list! I use a similar bridge for the squishy step. HINT for side door...install a hefty drawer pull in the middle of the lower half of sliding drawer (the metal portion of course). Use this to close door, pushing door toward front of vehicle, but also pull TOWARD you the last foot. You still need to slam it but it works 99% of the time. Depending on how your interior lights above the back doors are wired, they should come on for about 5 seconds when the sliding door fully closes. If you don't see the light come on you'll know the door's not latched completely. I have a 2017 1500 so I've also had to replace the transmission...a much more expensive problem than the crazy bulbs. Using bulb grease helps but doesn't solve the problem. The 2023 is said to have corrected the headlight problem and a 9-gear transmission is replacing the standard passenger CAR transmission used now. Good video!
i like the squishy fix. ever try led headlights? the door issue, there is a sensor in the door easy fix is to hot glue and little piece to ensure its pushed in all the way the rubber stopper or presser will flatten out over time try pushing by hand and see if it reads if it doesnt that sensor is the issue.
We have not tried led lights yet. We have learned that if we manually turn off the headlights before turning of the motor we don't have any burnouts. With the slider door...turns out it was my fault for packing the air vents by the rear tires with insulation. So now we learned we have to open the front door then slide the sliding door shut first so the air can be displaced. 😂 Thank you for the tip on the rubber stopper, I will check that out as well. 👍😀
I agree with your 5 Hates squishy spot is a good name for it. Have you checked / or replaced your coolant cap/top/lid above coolant reservoir (what ever you call it) I would add my instrument cluster (sent it to specialist repair twice so far). And peeling paint all over outside (we noticed the peeling on the roof 1st).
I have not tried replacing the coolant cap yet but that's a good idea. We have been on the road 5 years now and it seems to use a cup of coolant every three months or so and never gets worse. We have a ton of paint scrapes 🤣 At some point there will be no paint left.
You did it! You’re right other than the squishy center those aren’t deal breakers. Have you gotten the side and rear doors checked to make sure there’s nothing wrong?
+netty chow Yes, we had the dealership adjust the rear door but they failed. We were able to adjust it ourselfs and now it works like it should. Pretty sure will eventually get the slider dialed in. I hope 😜
2015 Ram Promaster 1500 Door parts have plastic parts so be careful during the winter. They also have cables that open a close the doors, when the cable goes you have to buy new latch because it comes with the cables.
The squishy spot fix is great. We too have had to replace headlights 6 times in our 2015. The door thing my husband says it’s me and everybody but him cannot shut them properly. Whatever. No issues with turn signals.
Hi Gwynn! We have learned that if we shut the headlights off before we turn the van motor off we don't have to replace the headlights anymore. When shutting the sliding door try to open one of the front doors first...this allows air to escape and the door latches in easier. 😎
@@oneadVANtureatatime thanks. I’ll tell my husband. It’s his van. We were on way home from visiting family in Pennsylvania and got the def code saying it would put us in limp mode in 150. We got off and took to dodge dealer. In the end it was the scr and parts that are back ordered will be $4k. Geez. Have you don’t he delete ?
Yes the drivers headlight remains a problem as still fill up with moisture and kill the bulbs. And the newer ones have transmission issues starting around 13k miles.
Hi Brian. With the front headlamp, we learned if we turn the lights off before the engine we don't burn out the light. We figure the transmission is a matter of when and not if it will fail. Happy New years to you!
I have a 2016 2500 and the sliding door has always been a pain since the van is so air tight. When another door is open or the windows are rolled down it shuts very easy, if not, it takes a lot of force. I even made sure the vents on the floor/wall in the back are less obstructed but I guess a lot of air needs to escape.
I have a 2016 2500. Everything you said is exactly what I have experienced except for the coolant. The sliding door is the greatest annoyance. Like you I’ve installed a window that opens in the sliding door. The only way to get the door to shut from inside is to slam it. That really slams the window as well. Aaiiiii! HOWEVER, I have never regretted choosing the pro master van. I now have over 60,000 miles and 4 years of traveling and living in it, It’s spacious inside, I love the steering, I guess the only other complaint I have is that the 6 is whimpy going up the steeper mountains (I’m under the weight limit but not by much). Thanks for putting this video out there.
+Rocks, Water, Sky yes very wimpy going uphills! We. Are under the weight limit as well but not by much!!! When you close your slider ...open the front passenger door first. It helps! We do not regret buying our Promaster either... LOVE IT!
2019, 2500, 15k miles - before buying mine I went through auctions and wanted a 50-80K miles cheaper one - none I checked had any problem with the squishy wires or heard of any. They are well protected and extremely strong. You should not bother. I never smell coolant on my car, hot or cold, nor is it loosing any coolant. The doors close without problems - you should check yours, maybe sensors needs adjustment? Did not noticed the high-beam problems as I did not used it yet. All in one, I am really happy with my PM and still working on mods.
Some of our wires were damaged under the squishy step....that is initially what drew our attention to this area. After one year we did eventually find a coolant leak but we know of other who have the phantom coolant smell as well. We also learned that we insulated the wheel wells to much .....thus the doors does not close easily because there is no room for air placement when we shut the door. If we open the front door and then shut the slider it works perfect. overall, we too, are really happy with our Promaster!! Thanks for watching!
Yes, the darn cargo door does not seem to shut all the way even when you slam it. My biggest gripe is it is so hard to climb into. Very high off the ground. Also, it is built for a gorilla to drive. Parking brake between the driver seat and door is quite a reach. Had mine for two months and still trying to get stuff figured out.
+Vickie Martinez Have you got your coat hung up on the parking break yet as you slide out of the seat? Good times lol We been using a small folding step to get in and out of the slider..helps a ton. 😀
Yep I have a 2017 all the same issues. I go throw about Three headlight per year. Never know what side goes next. I've had to replace the hose to the wipers, not a fun task at all. But I still love my van. I have 60k miles on the van and Love it. My van has a sink, stove, refer, toilet, a/c, h2o heater. Pop-out on the side door. I should do a video. I also built a nice little table over the squishy area and now my coffee cup rides great.
I have a '15 1500 Promaster. Weathertech floor liner solved the squishy step...no coolant or headlight problems except OEM lights ARE DIM...installing LED'S soon. Blinker stalk jyst takes getting used to.....
Nice Keith! We need to get some of those Weathertech floor liners. The battery compartment is a dirt collecter. 😂 We are now 3 years on the road and still loving our Promaster. See you on the road.
That Dam Slighting Door .....Had it on my 2014 Winnebago Travato and as well on my Fiat Ducato in Europe.....It is a DAM Frustration that they can not fix this. But you get what you pay for....Thanks a lot for these Videos .....Be back soon....A Big Hello from Germany Stay Healthy and save out their
Hi, I working on my third Promaster van conversion in about a year and a half. I agree with you. I'm doing a 2019 right now and the door and floor haven't changed. I did a 2017 last winter and a 2018 in the summer of 2018 and no change. I don't know about the headlights or the turn signal because I don't drive them.
@wooosh wooosh Use a late model wiring setup would be something to look at. Find a Promaster mechanic. Not to many around. Phoenix and Atlanta have good service centers. Call them.
Hey @one adVANture at a time I might be ages too late, but we have a Fiat Ducato (ProMaster on the european markets) and had that sliding door issue as well. Turned out the magnetic contacter at the end of the sliding door is very temperamental and if there's space by even just a hair with the magnet on the door, or if there is just a bit of dirt on either side, it won't detect contact. I resolved it by tightening the 19mm bolt on the sliding rail just a bit.
Good to know!! Thank You! We learned that we fill the wheel wells with insulation....when the slider door closes the air displacement is now blocked....oops. We just open the front door and is closes fine now. But if we have problems in the future we will keep the magnetic contacter in mind!
Did you buy your Promaster new or used? I liked the design of them, but have been suspicious because they’re basically a Fiat designed/built Van. How many miles you got so far? As I said, like the layout and design of them, but my main question is reliability. All the major Vans seem to have issues as I’ve researched.
+Jonathan Hansen we bought our Promaster used. It had 29,000 miles on it when we bought it and we have put another 27,000 miles on in in the last year! We love the design as well, great turning radius, lots of pep ( even as heavy as our is), and front wheel drive. We did have to replace one engine coil. Other than these issues we discuss (most are pretty insignificant) it’s been pretty good. I understand your concern though.
Why are you suspicious because its a Fiat? Do you have any idea how many are produced under 4 brands for how many years? Maybe google it....All vans except the GM are European.
I have the 2018 and yes I hate the squishy spot, my doors work fine although the cupholders placement sucks I have about 28,000 miles on it and I haven’t had a problem with the headlights as of yet. I do expediting out of my van and I drive anywhere from 2000 to 4000 miles a week but so far so good.
If I have all the windows shut the sliding door is hard to shut and I get that sliding door open message, if I have some windows open the door shuts fine. I think it's an over pressure inside the van that causes the door from closing completely when all the windows are up
+Pat Thank you for the helpful comment. That was the solution that worked for us. I just leave a door open until the slider is shut and no more problems. 😀
Yes the sliding door was an issue in my 2018 and it was found to be a bad sensor. Replaced and problem solved YAY. Also have the coolant smell immediately after the 1st free DEALER oil change. How strange is that. My biggest Hate is....I live on a dirt road and the Promaster has too many holes that allow the dust to get in. Still filling in gaps as I find them...but I still love my VAN
+George Manessis Glad to hear the slider was just a sensor! I wonder if they topped off your coolant level after the oil change and either spilled some coolant or over filled it. Happy to hear you still love your van! We still do also 😀
Well this might be old, I think I finally found the leaks that know one can find. Here is why you cannot see them. It seems to come when pressure builds up in the antifreeze coolant lines, to see this leak in action, crawl under van and find the coolant hose bottom one (about 2 inches round. Run your engine for about 10/15 min to heat up coolant, wear gloves that are heat resistance and then squeeze as hard as you can at the out end of the hose (where the hose clamp is at) fluid will come out. This seems to be one of many other connections leak because of the type of hose clamp being used. Solution is to add your own hose clamp as close as possible to the one that came with the van, snug it down good and leaks will be gone.
I switched the Headlight to LED using the gasket method and never had a problem again. Agreed with the other viewer, slightly lift the door to adjust the angle will help closing the door. Cheers !
Mostly small repairs so far. 2 engine coils, transmission coolant hose, and the regular maintenance. We find ourselves averaging 1000 dollars per year in nonmaintenance repairs. Drive train so far has been good.
A year and a half later... have you solved any of these nags? The sliding door sensor is misaligned. The coolant issue is probably a hose that's not clamping properly, or not installed 'deep enough'. On the other hand, it's not bad to replace fluids from time to time. This comes from the "Oil Is Made To Leak" Department.
Hi Chuck. The slider door turned out to be because we filled the air vent by the wheel well with insulation. 😂 Our solution is just open the front door while sliding the door shut.We still have not found the coolant leak. Like you said it's not bad adding a cup of coolant every few months.
I drive a 2500 Promaster 5-6 hours each day for work and have all the same problems. Also the left foot rest is too close to my body and I’m only 5’9”. I had left knee surgery 2 weeks ago due to getting in and out of vans 20 times a day for 12 years.
Mice can get into the van is the worst problem I have experienced. I put hardware mesh in some spots but they have a secret way in. A family started in living in my headLiner doing the mice dance. I have traps and still catch them. Anyone know how they get in? They can squeeze through the smallest crack
We don't know either! We had mice make a nest in our engine compartment once! It managed to get insulation from the living compartment and take it there! That's the worse sound! I always picture them chewing on a wire or something valuable. We have noticed Arizona in the winter is prime mice season. We use lights under the engine at night, peppermint spray, mice deterrent spray, open our hood during the day, and even mouse traps as a last resort.
I can vouch for the 2019s still having the squishy spot, and it's absolutely unforgivable that the floor was designed that way. Stupid as it gets! The slider has been fine so far, and I haven't had it long enough yet to comment on the other annoyances covered. Thanks for the heads up!
+cesalt I shut a dish towel in the sliding door today and didn't know it tell I spotted a huge puddle of water .Its been raining hard and the water wicked in. Must have looked silly driving down the highway😆 I hope that because your promaster is new and has not been abused you might not have the rest of the issues.Even with these small problems we still love our van😎
I have a 2022 and it too has the squishy spot. I will have a look at the wires now. Have not detected a coolant smell yet. But smelling coolant inside the compartment is an indication of a leak around the heater core used to blow air across it and heat the interior, this is what I have been told by a mechanic. Don't know about the promaster but in passenger cars the heater core is typically below the dash. I had this happen in a Ford pickup but never saw a drop of coolant anywhere. Another thing the mechanic told me is that fogging of the windshield when you first turn on the defroster is another sign of a leak in the heater core. Thanks for the video.
I love your squishy floor solution! I didn't mind stepping on it but it annoyed the hell out of me that anything I put on it slides backwards to where I can't reach it. I have the same turn signal/high beam issue. Never had a headlight go out. Never smelled coolant. My side door used to close like that but I got into an accident and have a new one which closes GREAT so it's probably adjustable or you could just get broad-sided and see if your replacement door fixes things. I have a 2015.
Thank you! I really just thought I was uncoordinated with the turn signal but turns out many other people have the same experience. Take care and have a good day.
I like your solution for the 'squishy step'. Well done. Hear you on the door alarm-ouch. The headlight burnout CAN be an indicator of a deeper electrical issue. I would definitely contact Mercedes about that. We had a ford Focus that would burn out a headlight-BOTH SIDES-every other month like Clockwork. We eventually sold that car. Hated selling it because it got 43 MPG Highway, but the electrical was getting too annoying and too expensive. Have a Ford Ranger now. Lousy Gas Mileage, but everything else has been quite reliable.
Yeah the slider door doesn't close super easily (unless you're on a downhill lol). We haven't found it to be too much of a problem though. We haven't had the problem of it happening over and over again in the same instance. Just one time, then we close it real good and it seems to work. They just weren't made right by the manufacturer, so it's possible that some promasters have a worse door than others. My husband had to adjust the thing the door is on because even when closed "all the way" the seal wasn't sealing all the way, so water was coming in when it rained. So he had to adjust it so it closed tighter than when we first got it. There is an adjustment, I think it's at the top part of where the door is attached. I'm not sure how to do it, but maybe somewhere online shows you how to do it. That might help. Also, I have noticed the weird blinker thing that happens. I haven't been too annoyed about it. When that happens I usually just flip it the opposite way, then it goes on the other way, then I just manually put it back in the middle. My husband says that might be for lane changes, if you don't want to have to turn on your blinker all the way and have to turn it off manually. It will just turn off automatically. But I have had a hard time trying to make that feature happen on purpose lol. The thing that annoyed me the most about the promaster, right away, that I could not stand and would not be able to live with was the loudness of the blinker and notification beeping, etc. (Like the door not being closed all the way, seat belts not being buckled yet, etc). That was a deal breaker for me, but we already bought the van before I realized how much it bothered me. We took apart the dashboard gauge area to try to figure out where the sound was coming from. Realized there was no way to make it quieter, until we just stuffed a bunch of old towels and rags behind and underneath it, in any space around it as we could. Added and took away towels until the sound was an appropriate level. Now it's perfect! Made me really happy to get that solved. They really should allow you to adjust the volume on those things! Haven't had any problems with the coolant smell. But I have noticed that if I don't drive the van for a week, the exhaust smells pretty bad the first time I drive it again. It goes away though. Also, I'm not too happy hearing about the headlights going out so often. That can be a safety concern. But at least if only one goes out at a time it shouldn't be too bad. Also, there are those lights at the top still. I didn't even realize there were wires below that soft spot between the two front seats. That seems like a dumb design. I will have to check that and make an adjustment there where needed. The wood thing you guys made to go over it seems pretty cool, and it gives you a place for your inverter. win-win. Great video once again! Thanks guys!
We found out from an earlier comment that the Promaster comes with air vents near the rear wheel wells designed to vent out the air pressure when the sliding door closes. I remember filling them full of insulation wondering what they are for lol 😂So now we leave the front door open until the slider is closed and have no more problems. We forgot to mention the loud beeping noise! Just like you said... way to loud. I like your way off reducing the noise level with rags, we may do the same. Thank you for watching and we wish you happy travels. Take care 🚎
Does any body know if ram pro master 159 2020 have issues with the transmission, or head lights or any other issues, we are interested to get one new but we don’t want bay problems from ram , please help us with your experience . God bless van warriors 🙏
if your not the type to forget to close your side door before you drive, an easy fix would be to locate the switch that gets depressed when you close the door, and short the wires going to the switch. This will trick the car in to thinking the door is always closed. This problem is due to the switch being broken internally and when depressed by the door the internal contacts are not making a solid connection. Alternatively if you are worried about driving off with the door open the easy fix would be to replace the switch.
I have the 2019 Ram PM 2500 159. I absolutely love it. I don’t have any problems with the sliding door beeping crazy. BUT!!!! I am constantly having to slide that sucker with all my might otherwise, for me, it won’t lock. Second, Yyyyep! The bright lights I have the same issue. I’ve had some really PO’d people because u have that delay before u can do anything. Squishy center; Absolutely! I am super interested n the board u made although I’m not sure my Inverter will fit. What inverter do u have? And finally no matter what I do I cannot get the TPM message and load beeping every-time I start the van, to go out. I know there was a recall on earlier years but something tells me I can get this fixed from a dealer under warranty. To me it’s very important. I am already a super super cautious driver having lost my parents in an aweful accident (drunk driver). I have never gotten over that feeling of always needing to b aware and having my car’s safety features working properly. After all that I absolutely love my Van. I’m still n the very beginning stages of building it out. I am also overly cautious about making the wrong decisions: insulation, where will the bed go, sink, ceiling, walls. I can’t wait to get on the road. In closing, do u have the demensions for that board y’all built that goes over the squishy part? And also, if y’all have recommendations for the inverter? Thank you so much for really great videos and for sharing your precious doggy. Happy trails to you.
+MaryAnn DuVall Your very welcome! Glad you like our videos. We are using a 1500 watt sine wave inverter. The squishy step is 14” wide, 27” long, and measures 6” high. Try this when closing your slider from the outside...pull the handle with your right hand and push on the door slightly with your left hand..all at the same time. From the inside we installed a grab handle that helps. We are excited for you about getting on the road and hope we get to meet you Happy trails 😎
MaryAnn, I’m sorry for your loss. I just got a new Promaster... the TPM signal was there, and I found that one of the tires was actually low. Filling all tires to the recommended pressure took care of it.
On your driver side door where the latch is located is the information on the tires and pressure. Our promaster takes 80 psi on the rear 2 tires and 65 psi on the front 2. 100 percent of the time people at the tire store have put in the wrong pressure and we now check before leaving any shop. The alarm takes a few minutes of driving before going off. Be prepared for that 😆
The blinker is the most maddening to me. Especially when making a turn that doesn't turn the blinker off so have to do it by hand and then the opposite way turns on! Can't open the sliding door from outside unless it's cold out for some reason, and the squeak in the back is not so fun! Got a '14.
+Lynne nanavanr I forgot to mention hitting the blinker the opposite way and having that go 3 more seconds. Too funny 😄 My old Jeep Wrangler was the same way and even now I am still not use to it. I hope your able to fix the door so it opens from the outside. Take care and happy travels.
So far, knock on wood, the only one we've had is the turn signal. it seems to be very touchy and easy to bump on. The "squishy spot" is there but I'm not that worried about it. Ours is a 2014 and after 50,000 miles it has not presented a problem. We actually have a problem with the license light. Not sure what's going on there. I replaced both bulbs and they literally burned out in a day or two. I may have to replace the entire housing.
+John tatman Interesting about the plate bulbs. Definitely interested to hear more about the cause if you find out. That's great news if you have not had problems with your sliding door. Gives me hope to keep adjusting it tell it works right! 😀 Thank you for sharing about your 2014. We appreciate your comments.
John, check the wire inside the metal "hose" that goes between the door jam and the door. Have had two vans with the fuse and bulb burn outs. The wires get pulled or frayed. Re-wrap them and use dielectric grease on the wire thru the hose. Problem solved. Regards, Mike
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Yup the 2018 have the same issues. 1) The Soft Floor Issue. This is still a thing. My solution was similar, but I used a plain piece of 3/4" plywood, cut it to fit under the cup holder, and extend to just beyond the ledge. I added legs to make it level and it's my every-day step to the back, plus it can be pulled out to use as a step up to see in the storage cubby over the cab (I'm short). 2) The Coolant Smell.... Haven't smelled anything like that yet. 3) The Driver's Side Headlight Issue: I watched another video recently that showed a possible cause of this. It appears the rain reservoir at the base of the driver's side windshield wiper has a tiny drain that is supposed to redirect water away from the light's electric terminal. Sometimes that drain hole gets clogged, so all the water backs up and overflows directly onto the electrical connection, causing possible shorts. 4) Turn signal/light problem: YES that is a true PITA. 4) The Side Door is Open: YES this is ALSO still a PITA.
Hi Andrew. We just broke 100k miles and still no major transmission problems. The last time we had the fluid flushed there was metal shavings on the magnet. The transmission guy recommended a fluid change every 30k miles rather than the 80k miles listed. Anyhow we have been happy with our Promaster. 👍
Have 2018 promaster put 85k miles never had a headlight burnt out so they must have fixed. But I have added 1.5 gallons of coolant over those miles. Must say I do like the van.
Hi Peter. We also were adding coolant all the time until recently. We decided to test out our coolant at the minimum line instead of the halfway mark to see if we would ”use” less coolant. So far this has been a huge success and we have had to add no coolant in over 3 months. Maybe it was steaming off out the overflow not sure but this has helped. I do however check the coolant more often now as it still makes me a bit nervous.
@@oneadVANtureatatime Leave at MIN and no more smell, have run at MIN without having to add any since June 2019. Some vans do have a leak which will need to be addressed if it continues to drop after reaching MIN.
Hey guys, I had the same problem with the side door. Drove me nuts. I just tried removing the bumper? handle thing below the lever and now the door shuts way,way better. Give it a try on yours and let me know what you think. As far as I can tell this part seems unnecessary.
Getting my so to fix my squishy spot for me, thank you sooo much. I wasnt as concerned about the wires and stuff, just that uncomfortable squishy feeling!
I bought a 2016 Ram PM 1500 recently and the slider is very difficult to close securely even from the outside. I took it back in the same day I bought it and they sprayed the track with WD40 and that lasted 2 days. The bottom rear corner has to be man handled in order to close. If I really slam it then the open door light doesn't come on. Also need to address the squishy spot between the seats.
Our slider closed great until we stuffed the air vents near the wheel wells with insulation. Now we have to open the front door before shutting the slider.
So, did dodge correct them in their newer designs, because they are just cosmetics ? How's the reliability on the power train , is it underpowered? hunting for gears? How's electrical? Engine overheating? Those are the deal breaker for me.
Hi Tik, We have been on the road now for nearly two years now and still are extremely happy with our Promaster. I like the amount of power from the v6 and the gears are great. We have not had any problems with overheating. We bought our van used with a problem with the radio but we have since replaced it with a better one with no more issues. We love Van life! Take care.
one adVANture at a time nice to know.. been working my ass off since 1989 and the idea of living far far away from a big city like LosAngeles is very encouraging.. My partner is going to retire soon (couple of years)from her county job and she’s excited too, I’m just starting to do my homework, that’s the reason for my comment.
The side door on our 2018 if level or front higher is just make sure you use a crack the whip wrist action it shut ok with practice. BUT any van position w/o a advantage w the weight of the door causes issues. After having van turned off and getting in/out no message is given if the door is open-know the weather stripping is not sealed IF it rains what a leak!!
We bought a new Fiat Ducato, basically the same vehicle as the Promaster, and had problems with the sliding door. What seemed to be causing it was the contact pad on the body which was loose. It is a sort of rubber/plastic pad with metal contacts that should make good electrical contact with corresponding pads on the door. What has worked so far is to cut an old credit card and slide it behind the pad, holding it firm, slightly further from the body. Strange problem with a new vehicle that the dealer didn’t solve!
+Ashley Allerton glad you figured that out! We had problems with our back door, went to the dealer and they couldn’t fix it either. We messed with it a while and got it fixed. Viewers are saying to keep a window open for air pressure inside the van to escape when you are closing the side door.... that’s has been working good for us.
We have a 2013 Peugeot Boxer which is effectively the same vehicle. The door problem is caused by the sensor plate being compressed after extended use and it then doesn't make good contact when the door is closed. We have fixed this using 2 methods - the first we used thin double sided tape between the sensor and the body to raise the panel a little and it then makes better contact when the door is closed. This worked for a while. We have a better fix through removing the panel and using pliers or a screwdriver to bend the edges of the opening into which the panel fits outwards and then refitting the sensor panel. The panel is now raised a little and makes good contact when the door is shut. Problem solved
PS. This is a common problem on these vehicles and has nothing to do with air pressure - it is purely the result of the sensor panel being compressed inwards and no longer making contact with the door when shut
I have a 2018 and only have the swishy step. I believe that was on purpose to distribute the weight over the wires. I hate that there is no handle to pull you up from the side door.
+Taapb faapb Taapb taapb That is a great Idea. A grab handle like the jeep wranglers have. Right now we use our sink and the back of the passenger door for grab points. Our little plastic step helps and is a cheap solution but not all that convenient.
You can lower the buzzer sound in your dash menu...I would axe mine if I could. The sliding doors are notorious for being off kilter. My 2019 w/6k has a squeak in the slider I can't find... Its big noise on a rough road. Going on the warranty list!... Have you tried adjusting the track bolt at the bottom of the slider straight down from the door handle? Try different positions and see if the telltale goes off. You can move the slider in and out of the track. Also, if you haven't already, clean the contact pads with alcohol. Rear pillar when slider is open. If your like me, you probably hit everything with a "bigger hammer"!! ...2018 +, Tony supposedly corrected the overheating of the headlamp sockets...we'll see!... Always praise your PM like you do your dog and a pat on the hood... Can't hurt
Thank you for sharing your experience and insight, very much appreciated. We actually filled the built-in air vents with insulation so there is no place for the air to escape. We learned if we leave the front door open while sliding our side door shut it works like brand new. Take care and thank you for watching.
that is so funny! the FIRST thing i "fixed" was putting a piece of wood over the squishy spot! so good to know you have all the same annoyances as me! i actually ended up building around the back door being my main door cause i was sick of the sliding door sucking so badly.
Too funny! We have learned that if we turn off the headlights before turning the engine off our headlights no longer burn out. Take care and hope to meet you on the road.
@@hugeCRSfan69 really?!?! haha who knows, maybe some of ours are missing a vital piece of plastic haha i wouldn't be surprised! if you never step on that spot, you'd never know it though...
@@warriorkelly i actually went out and checked and there is a small soft spot between the 2 front seats. i dont think its a big deal or a problem though otherwise they wouldnt have made it like that. that area is not really meant to be stepped on anyway
I just bought my 2019 Promaster and have had no issue with coolant. Also, I have no problem with the turn signals. They work like most cars I've had. The fact that you picked 5 micro-petty gripes is a testament to the superb engineering design of this European designed van. Additionally, I think the RAM Promaster is by far the best looking of the 3. If I had to make a list of positives, it would take pages. Your complaints seem to be an excuse to indulge in making a contrarian TH-cam video. even if these "problems" did exist, they are minor and the pluses far outweigh any perceived faults.
+Scott H on the contrary! We get comments quite regularly about what a piece of $h!+ the Promaster is. The 5 micro-petty gripes was to show how much we love it! A reverse physiology type of video😃 Seriously, the five things we listed are so minor!!
@@oneadVANtureatatime thank you for making the video. It helps me so much. Sliding door issue. Thanks to the video people replied with solutions to help others with the same problem. As for the other guy, lucky him he has had any issues yet. But for the rest of us, we are thankful for these problem-solution types of video. Comments are super helpful.
Your video was VERY HELPFUL... Thank You! I am, and (after seeing your video) "maybe" still interested in buying a 2022 Ram Promaster 2500 High Roof Cargo Van 159" wheelbase. I have been doing a WHOLE LOT of research before I made my decision on the Ram Promaster, but now I am wondering if maybe I should be doing my research on the 2022 Ford Transit High Roof instead??? What do you think?
I would definitely check out the ford transit. They were coming out with a 4X4 either this year 2021 or next year. That would probably be the only thing that would really sway us to look at the transit. We are very happy with the Promaster. They are using the Promaster in so many areas( mail delivery, ambulances, amazon) that parts will be easy to acquire if needed. Perhaps the transit is the same? Let us know what you think? And what you decide😀 happy researching!!!
One thing to consider in Promaster vs Transit is the quality of your local dealership. In general, I have had a lot of frustration with the CJDR dealerships I've gone to (my pre-owned Promaster is still under warranty so I have to go through them for parts and service). I am still overall happy with the Promaster (despite the "squishy step"!) but I didn't consider this aspect when I purchased.
Great video, I have a 2018 with bad door adjustments, back & side doors creaking. I've managed to get the side door ok but the back one is still annoying with a creaking sound at the top. I've even put lithium grease on the latches that did help for a while. Also changed the passenger headlight as well. My biggest disappointment is how Dodge attached the lower mouldings all the way around. They are purposely causing the van to rust out with this design.
Dave: Update on coolant level. The level hasn’t moved at all since we last discussed it. It looks like that’s just where the sweet spot is. So I’m not going to add back up to the max line.
Thank you for sharing this!! I though it was just me with the sliding door not being shut and the blinker/high beam issue. I have a used (but only a few hundred miles on it) 2019 Promaster so they definitely are still happening :)
I have the Promaster 2017,1500 model. The headlights do go out but once you figure out how to replace it,it's no biggie. Takes me about 20 minutes . Hint-take out the whole unit.To shut the sliding door,just open a window first.
+joe viljoen That is the solution for the slider! Really appreciate your helpful comment! Like you said no biggie for the light replacement after you do it a time or two.
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one adVANture at a time thank you! One day we will track you down, buy you guys a meal and shake your hands!
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Dying laughing at the attempt to cover your license plate.
+Louis Cantu yeah, I gave up on that😂😂😂😂
I have the same Promaster 2018. I absolutely love this van and have all but stopped driving my Honda Civic. This van turns on a dime. Great driving experience sitting up high. My van came with back windows and I added CR Laurence vented windows in sliding door and across. Really helps me feel more confident about lane changes with visability. I am slowly converting my van and will be starting electrical with solar and a lithium battery in September.
Windows were a must for us!!! SO MUCH easier to drive and change lanes. It does drive great and the turning radius is quite amazing. Even though our van is approaching Mac weight it still has some pep!! Happy Building! Hope to see you on the road one of these days!
I have a 2015 PM and have a few of the same issues. To fix the "squishy step" I used a sheet of 1/8" Lexan and put it underneath the plastic flooring. It adds support, and makes it tolerable. For the doors not closing it may be a lack of venting. Many of the larger Promasters have built in one way vents above the wheel wells to allow air to move out as you close the large side door. If you don't have those vents, or if they have been covered by your build you may need to add another vent. To test this, just leave one of the windows open and see if you still have the same issue.
+Johnny Rambles Nice information and tip about having a vent so the slider will close. As soon as I put all the adjustments back to the original locations all give it a shot. Thank you!
I know it's been 4 years since you replied to this post, but by any chance, do you have a picture of what you did with the squishy spot?
I have a 2017 2500 and have changed my headlight once, and every once in a while, I can smell coolant, but never had issues with the slider or the blinker. Every vehicle is going to have some quirks and I'm still glad I chose mine over Sprinter and Transit.
+MrSharkphoto we love the Promaster as well! However, would love to have 4X4... transit is coming with one next year. Still we are in for the long haul with our Promaster even with its quirks! Thanks for watching and commenting.
one adVANture at a time how’s the engine any problems yet
once in a while i smell coolant but i only need to top off the coolant like once a year, which is normal for any vehicle and the amount i use to top off is like a half pint to a pint, so its clearly not a real issue. mine is also a 2017 and still have not needed to replace not even one bulb on the whole van
Thanks for another great video, love your channel! This may have already been addressed in the comments but there are too many to read which is a good thing for you! The slider door issue is from a lack of air displacement. Easy solution: Open another door so the air can rush out. I have gotten in the habit of opening the front door with my right hand closing the slider with my left and then closing the front door. Easy, free solution.
Sometimes a door might not close ‘properly’ because of the vacuum in the van. Try closing the sliding door with either the drivers or passenger door/window open for air to escape. I really enjoyed this build. Thanks for tips and ideas because the promaster is my choice specific to bed and width and ease to get repairs done when needed. You also need to adjust your license plate blur out in the vlog. Cheers from Canader eh!
The suggesion above worked: We have to open both the driver side & the passenger side windows for the "sliding door open" alarm light on the dashboard to turn-off. Thank you.
It’ll work just as well with roof vent open.
@@susanscovill6817 Yes, that's right, with the roof vent open, the "sliding door open" alert is not an issue which was why we didn't had the issue before because the roof vent was always open whenever we closed the sliding door. We just got our Promaster last week, and we only experienced the issue all day yesterday, and it drove us nuts. Anyway thank you for your suggestion. Saved us a trip to the dealer.
Might be making an offer on a used Promaster camper soon. Articles like this are Invaluable. Thanks so much!
I can tell you the best thing about your promaster! The 4 legged passenger with the happy face! He's the bomb!
The headlight issue was corrected from the 2018 model year on. Some kind of power surge was taking it's toll. My 2018 has never had a blown bulb.
Hey guys I was the guy sitting in front of you by myself at the Nomadic Fanatic meet and greet today. For the coolant smell you might want to check and make sure all of the clamps on the radiator hoses are tight. I had a 1983 escort where I could smell the same thing and it would up being a radiator hose clamp that was about a half turn loose. I tightened the clamp and the smell went away. Good luck on the channel and keep the good stuff coming.
We remember you! Thank you for the coolant tip. I will check the clamps, you never know that just could be it.👍😀🐕🎾
Omg… I have the same issues.. I just thought it was my van, except for that squishy part.. I love the video. Be safe guys and have fun!
We learned that opening the front door before closing the slider helps it close easier. We must have packed the air vents full of insulation. 😂 We have now been on the road 5 years and still loving our van. Take care and hope to meet you on the road sometime.
We have a new 2021 and yes we still have all the above issues thank you for sharing
+Nikki Mendoza well that’s a bummer! Congratulations on your new van!!! Still loving ours even with the quirks!!
Ive never changed a headlight in 38k. I have changed several heated mirrors that stop heating. I do smell the coolant, and my doors are the same way. Would I buy another one? In a heartbeat ❤️
same here mine has 45K still havent changed any lights at all. i love my promaster, super reliable too
These are real issues and not unreasonable observations. I have a little experience in auto manufacturing ;) Great video. Thanks
the door seems to be the sensor,, you can bypass it by connecting the wires together,, if you continue to slam the door you will wear out the slides and lock quicker.. best luck
+Highway Robbery Thanks for the tip. I put the door adjustments back in the original position and now as long as one of the doors are open it closes most every time. Love these kind of tips..we appreciate the help 😀
You may want to check your blinker fluid
+wdbill4 😆😆😆 Thanks for the humor.
classic blinker fluid symptoms
Omgoodness, I wasn’t sure if this was really a thing. I had to ask my son if this was a joke or a real thing?!? 😜
@Krister Lagerström That video was incredible. A number of great tips when doing a BF drain and refill. I liked that he even included the grease install tutorial for free.
He needs to check his sliding door fluid, too.
the comments I have read on the internet is that the radiator leaks and the bulbs burn out and the doors not closing properly. Some report that the flex plate in the transmission breaks.
I have one of these for a work van and I'm not at all impressed with it. It's got 116,000 km on it (72,000 miles). Currently the rear engine seal is leaking, I get the coolant smell all the time and the sliding door won't latch in the cold, which can be a bit of an issue in Canada. The alternator went out at 85,000 km (53,000 miles) and it took 8 days to get a replacement. It's a 5 1/2 hour job to replace it and the bill was just over $2200 (Canadian). 15,000 km later (9300 miles) it had virtually no heat. Into the dealer again and the radiator had to be replaced. Quicker that the alternator, but the tab was still north of $2000. I always joke that this is what happens when the French and the Italians get together to design a vehicle.
We are just about to hit 72k miles so wish us luck 😂 Sorry you had a bad go at it with your van. Thank you for sharing and stay safe.
5.5 hours to change an alternator? someone gave you a snowjob
@@hugeCRSfan69 The air conditioning compressor needs to be removed to get at the alternator,
Unfortunate for your luck. The thing is though, not every vehicle will be the same. You would have to do research on that. To see if you were unfortunate or these Van's really do break down.
I had a 2005 neon. Bought it new and It never broke down. I was surprised.
I want a 118 model the short base for me and my dog to travel.
Dave, thank you for the information. I just bought it 2019 2500 Promaster. I was not aware that there were wires running under the squishy step, so thank you. As for the rear sliding door, I found that if I open a window, the door closes without a problem. Then I just close the window. I’m still trying to get used to the way that the blinker blinks three or four times after I’ve just hit the highbeams. I will let you know if I figure out how to avoid that problem. I am a new subscriber… Keep up the good work!
+David Yule Thank you! We are happy to have you along. Now that you mention it my jeep was the same way. If I cracked the window no problems with the doors. Maybe all try that before I disconnect the sensor. Are you planning on building out your new Promaster?
one adVANture at a time Hi Dave, I’m having the work done by Glampervan. They put a deck on the roof. I noticed that you have a deck also. Maybe our paths will cross in the future. Happy motoring.
I've learned to crack a window as well, or when closing from the outside there is a nice handprint where I push in at the back while sliding it forward. Apparently there are air baffles in the wheel wells that are supposed to help with this but I haven't found them yet in my quest to possibly enlarge them. There is another known somewhat-related issue in that the top rear of the sliding door can leak in a hard driving rain.
@@shreddagorge... I thought the baffles behind the wheel wells by the rear doors were part of the flow through ventilation. Keeps the humidity down inside, Almost all cars have the same system. Mine got covered in the build , but no problems closing at all. Plus My Maxx Fans keep the air moving. I see a lot of builds where they put a ton of wood plus insulation on the slider... Just asking for problems!
Good call on relieving the air pressure...You are activating what Tony calls their version of "lane change assist" when you grab for the high beam on/off. It's pretty sensitive... My 2019 has the opposite problem. When I activate the LCA, I have to usually pull the turn lever twice?? I think it depends on the steering wheel position??
Try cleaning the electronic contacts on the sliding door. My newest issue is the oil light comes on with the seat belt light. When I unplug the seat belt the oil light comes on.
There seems to be a defect in the design of coolant container "Check for a leakage where it says MIN - on the container and also check the Hose underneath it" the Headlight has a cap behind it. If you take it off it will allow the moisture to evaporate which resolves the water issue in the Headlights.
I have a 2014 3500 Ram Promaster with 578,420 miles on it. Your squishy spot, that is where your fuel pump is. Easy to get to and replace. Most people just lay a piece of plywood over it. But your idea is good too. As far as your coolant smell. It can be a number of things. Most times it's the thermostat housing. It might have a crack in it. I've replaced mine and it comes with the thermostat in it. But I did eventually find where my smell was coming from. The coolant reservoir in mine had small cracks on the bottom of it where the one radiator hose connected to it. I had it out one day and seen the cracks in it. Put an aftermarket one in, smell is gone. It would seep through the cracks and follow the hose down and the heat from the engine would evaporate it. Also, be careful who changes your oil. When they take the oil filter cap off and on, they need to be very careful. It's connected to the oil cooler, and if they are not careful, it can crack the housing. Then you have an oil leak that looks like a rear main seal is bad. Also do not let them torque the cap back on. That will also crack the housing. I do all my own oil changes now and just snug the filter cap on. Another thing that will happen if the oil cooler housing gets cracked, it will fill up the valley of the engine, seep over the front, and get on your harmonic balancer. The oil loosens the rubber on the balancer and guess what. You will start it up one day and it explodes! I'm sure you have heard about the dreaded Pentastar 3.6 engine tick??? When you hear a metal to metal tick from your engine, a cam follower has failed. It's a common problem with these engines. If you wait too long to get it fixed, it wipes the cam out. Yes, everything I have described here, has happened to me. I know my van inside and out now!! If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I most likely know the answer. Y'all have a great day!!! Randy.
Thank you so much for the information!! I am certain I will be contacting you in the future with a question or two. Almost 600000 miles sounds pretty awesome to me. I am going to hunt for that coolant leak again now I know a few more places to check. I do have a couple of questions already. How many miles have you been going before changing out the transmission fluid and is that something you do yourself? Amount how many miles have you been getting out of your brake pads...I know it's different for everyone, just looking for a ballpark number. I am so glad you comment and offered some help. Thank you! Take care and stay safe.
@@oneadVANtureatatime I get my transmission filter changed once a year, at a shop I trust. Whatever fluid comes out, they replace. I just don't trust the "transmission fluid flush". This is still the original transmission in my van. As far as brakes go, I expedite freight in my van for FedEx Custom Critical all over the USA. So most of my driving is highway. I changed all my rotors and pads 17 months ago, and when my cousin rotated my tires, all the brakes look good. I travel around 60,000 miles to 100,000 miles a year. So my rule of thumb is, look at your brakes Everytime you rotate your tires. Go to a shop that you trust. I hope this helps. Stay safe!
Homestead Homie Thank you! We drove 35k miles last year and I thought that was a lot! If you ever get into the van lifestyle we can hook you up with a lot of need to know info. Thank you for your time. Take good care and drive safe. 😀
@@oneadVANtureatatime Thank you. I already live the van lifestyle! I sold my house 3 years ago and went full time living in a van doing expedite deliveries. My van is equipped with a 3000 watt Honda generator, roof top AC, fantastic fan, Espar heater that runs off my van gas tank, 2- 100 amp hour AGM batteries, 3000 watt inverter, 96 quart Whynter fridge/freezer, microwave, coffee machine, full bed, and a composting toilet. The only thing I don't have, is a shower. But my brother is a truck driver and he gets me "shower Power" so I shower everyday at a Pilot/Flying J for free. Even with everything in here, I can still haul 3 pallets of freight, or 6 if they stack them. My bed folds up flat against the wall. So I guess you can say i'm living the van life!!! LOL!!! Randy.
we've been living 8 months in a van, top things we hate about it
#1 each other
oh gosh! I hope you are kidding. Living in a small space and being together 24/7 is challenging!! You learn some routines, how to have alone time and LOTS OF COMMUNICATION.
@@oneadVANtureatatime
of course just messing around great build happy travels
Yes! I live in my Promaster too and I have experienced ALL of these issues except the headlight. (Fingers crossed). Thanks for the idea on the squishy. I have been trying to figure out what to do with it. The coolant smell is annoying and I have never found a leak either!
+Jan Rachels I am happy that these are all small issues. However the sliding door not shutting all the way gets old quick. 😀 Let us know if you have noticed anything we missed. I am curious what year and how many miles you have.. Thank you very much for watching and giving feedback to share. Happy travels.
one adVANture at a time I have a 2017 that I bought with about 35,000 miles on it and I have put about 40,000 on it since. I used a lot of crate wood in my build so it’s kind of heavy. I do love my van and love living in it full time. That sliding door is frustrating! I can’t count the number of times I’m all ready to go, buckled up and then... beeeeeeeep! I unbuckle, cross the squishy, go slam the door and maybe do it two or three more times before it actually closes. One other thing I wish I could do is lock all the door while the van is running. I have two keys but I can’t lock the van with my second key if the van is running. Can you?
Roodle found a button to lock 🔑 the doors from the inside..the button to the right of the big red hazard light button. Our keys don't work either and was a huge concern at first. Our van is heavy as well, we overbuilt for sure. We weigh 8, 600 pounds so very close to the limit.
one adVANture at a time gotta love those furry babies! I have two with me and they are getting old like me but love the road too. That’s why I wanted to be able to lock them in with the van running so I could go in to a grocery store of something. Lots of places we go are too hot not to leave the AC on.
Oh gotcha! Yeah we can’t lock from the outside with the van running either! But you can lock it from the inside with the van running. Doesn’t really help with in your situation though.... wish we had an answer for you☹️ sometimes traveling with our fur babies is difficult.BUT I can’t imagine Roodle not being with us!
Great solution for the squishy step! And I love that you thought to put the inverter there! I'm thinking the manufacturer wasn't expecting all these van conversions where people would be walking in that area at the back between the front seats. Hopefully the newer models have taken this into account.
Thank you! I think your exactly right about them not expecting so many van conversions in the beginning 😀 The secrets out now though 😆
These Dodge ( or in Europe as PSA group Peugeot/Fiat/Citroen) are used as bases for motorhome (RV) conversion. So they must consider it not to be an issue
Or just put down a OEM floor mat with the water channels. It's thick enough to solve the problem and keeps all the small rocks from getting in all the nooks and crannies. Still a terrible design... Thanks Tony (F.I.A.T)
For the sliding door, I only have problems when all of the other doors are closed. If you open the passenger door, then close the sliding door, it relieves the over-pressure and closes easily.
+AmJustDuane yes, we didn’t think of that 🤦♂️ thank you for your comment! It works perfect now!!! Glad we made a video otherwise we would have never figured it out.
We have a 2016 & we have exactly the same issues so hillarious 😂. I thought the high beam & blinker thing was just me too and we've driven ours over 415,000 miles!! We do long distance patient transports in ours. If you crack one of the front windows it will be easier to shut the sliding door and get it the first time. We didn't think about the squishy step being a problem though, but we don't walk through there anyway, we'll have to be keep an eye on that.
+klbarton81 415k miles?!! That has me very excited!! When we made this video I thought it was just going to be me with the blinker issue 😆
@@oneadVANtureatatime I was glad to find out it wasn't just me on that. We get a lot of am I seeing that mileage right, total dumfounded look when we get our oil changed every 7500 miles, all over the country 😂
Question: How have the _engine and transmission_ been holding up?
Any issues?
@@jcrnda yes id like to know this as well
I’d love to know how the engine and transmission is going please reply lol
I got a 2015 Ram Promaster 1500
I fixed the door issue
Same headlight issue note light bulbs have an hour rating 500 hours. The headlights have two settings on all the time and on when you turn them on, daytime running lights burn out faster then night time only.
Ummm yes I have a 2018 2500 ProMaster but I love everything about mine. No problems EXCEPT the dreaded “squishy spot” between the front seats!! I put LifeProof Flooring in mine so I just used a leftover piece doubled to cover the squishy area. Seems like a BIG flaw to me but now it has more support so no problems with it! ….. “Keep on Van’in Y’all!”
Right on, good fix. We are stilling loving our van after 4 years on the road! We hope we see you out there! 😎
Yes x 5. You nailed most of my list! I use a similar bridge for the squishy step. HINT for side door...install a hefty drawer pull in the middle of the lower half of sliding drawer (the metal portion of course). Use this to close door, pushing door toward front of vehicle, but also pull TOWARD you the last foot. You still need to slam it but it works 99% of the time. Depending on how your interior lights above the back doors are wired, they should come on for about 5 seconds when the sliding door fully closes. If you don't see the light come on you'll know the door's not latched completely. I have a 2017 1500 so I've also had to replace the transmission...a much more expensive problem than the crazy bulbs. Using bulb grease helps but doesn't solve the problem. The 2023 is said to have corrected the headlight problem and a 9-gear transmission is replacing the standard passenger CAR transmission used now. Good video!
Just bought a 2021 I'll let u know what I find, safe travels.
i like the squishy fix. ever try led headlights? the door issue, there is a sensor in the door easy fix is to hot glue and little piece to ensure its pushed in all the way the rubber stopper or presser will flatten out over time try pushing by hand and see if it reads if it doesnt that sensor is the issue.
We have not tried led lights yet. We have learned that if we manually turn off the headlights before turning of the motor we don't have any burnouts. With the slider door...turns out it was my fault for packing the air vents by the rear tires with insulation. So now we learned we have to open the front door then slide the sliding door shut first so the air can be displaced. 😂 Thank you for the tip on the rubber stopper, I will check that out as well. 👍😀
I agree with your 5 Hates
squishy spot is a good name for it.
Have you checked / or replaced your coolant cap/top/lid above coolant reservoir (what ever you call it)
I would add my instrument cluster (sent it to specialist repair twice so far).
And peeling paint all over outside (we noticed the peeling on the roof 1st).
I have not tried replacing the coolant cap yet but that's a good idea. We have been on the road 5 years now and it seems to use a cup of coolant every three months or so and never gets worse. We have a ton of paint scrapes 🤣 At some point there will be no paint left.
Squishy Spot did nothing wrong!
You did it! You’re right other than the squishy center those aren’t deal breakers. Have you gotten the side and rear doors checked to make sure there’s nothing wrong?
+netty chow Yes, we had the dealership adjust the rear door but they failed. We were able to adjust it ourselfs and now it works like it should. Pretty sure will eventually get the slider dialed in. I hope 😜
2015 Ram Promaster 1500
Door parts have plastic parts so be careful during the winter.
They also have cables that open a close the doors, when the cable goes you have to buy new latch because it comes with the cables.
Thanks for the tip Mark! We appreciate advice from a locksmith. Thank you!😎
The squishy spot fix is great. We too have had to replace headlights 6 times in our 2015. The door thing my husband says it’s me and everybody but him cannot shut them properly. Whatever. No issues with turn signals.
Hi Gwynn! We have learned that if we shut the headlights off before we turn the van motor off we don't have to replace the headlights anymore. When shutting the sliding door try to open one of the front doors first...this allows air to escape and the door latches in easier. 😎
@@oneadVANtureatatime thanks. I’ll tell my husband. It’s his van.
We were on way home from visiting family in Pennsylvania and got the def code saying it would put us in limp mode in 150. We got off and took to dodge dealer. In the end it was the scr and parts that are back ordered will be $4k. Geez.
Have you don’t he delete ?
Yes the drivers headlight remains a problem as still fill up with moisture and kill the bulbs. And the newer ones have transmission issues starting around 13k miles.
Hi Brian. With the front headlamp, we learned if we turn the lights off before the engine we don't burn out the light. We figure the transmission is a matter of when and not if it will fail. Happy New years to you!
I have a 2016 2500 and the sliding door has always been a pain since the van is so air tight. When another door is open or the windows are rolled down it shuts very easy, if not, it takes a lot of force. I even made sure the vents on the floor/wall in the back are less obstructed but I guess a lot of air needs to escape.
I have a 2016 2500. Everything you said is exactly what I have experienced except for the coolant. The sliding door is the greatest annoyance. Like you I’ve installed a window that opens in the sliding door. The only way to get the door to shut from inside is to slam it. That really slams the window as well. Aaiiiii! HOWEVER, I have never regretted choosing the pro master van. I now have over 60,000 miles and 4 years of traveling and living in it, It’s spacious inside, I love the steering, I guess the only other complaint I have is that the 6 is whimpy going up the steeper mountains (I’m under the weight limit but not by much). Thanks for putting this video out there.
+Rocks, Water, Sky yes very wimpy going uphills! We. Are under the weight limit as well but not by much!!! When you close your slider ...open the front passenger door first. It helps! We do not regret buying our Promaster either... LOVE IT!
Just wondering.... are u using the upshifting capability? I use it when merging onto the FW
2019, 2500, 15k miles - before buying mine I went through auctions and wanted a 50-80K miles cheaper one - none I checked had any problem with the squishy wires or heard of any. They are well protected and extremely strong. You should not bother.
I never smell coolant on my car, hot or cold, nor is it loosing any coolant.
The doors close without problems - you should check yours, maybe sensors needs adjustment?
Did not noticed the high-beam problems as I did not used it yet.
All in one, I am really happy with my PM and still working on mods.
Some of our wires were damaged under the squishy step....that is initially what drew our attention to this area. After one year we did eventually find a coolant leak but we know of other who have the phantom coolant smell as well. We also learned that we insulated the wheel wells to much .....thus the doors does not close easily because there is no room for air placement when we shut the door. If we open the front door and then shut the slider it works perfect.
overall, we too, are really happy with our Promaster!! Thanks for watching!
@mike m how did you find the auctions?
Yes, the darn cargo door does not seem to shut all the way even when you slam it. My biggest gripe is it is so hard to climb into. Very high off the ground. Also, it is built for a gorilla to drive. Parking brake between the driver seat and door is quite a reach. Had mine for two months and still trying to get stuff figured out.
+Vickie Martinez Have you got your coat hung up on the parking break yet as you slide out of the seat? Good times lol We been using a small folding step to get in and out of the slider..helps a ton. 😀
Yep I have a 2017 all the same issues. I go throw about Three headlight per year. Never know what side goes next. I've had to replace the hose to the wipers, not a fun task at all. But I still love my van. I have 60k miles on the van and Love it. My van has a sink, stove, refer, toilet, a/c, h2o heater. Pop-out on the side door. I should do a video. I also built a nice little table over the squishy area and now my coffee cup rides great.
Sounds like an awesome build you did, wish we could check it out! Hope we see you on the road, happy travels.
I have a '15 1500 Promaster. Weathertech floor liner solved the squishy step...no coolant or headlight problems except OEM lights ARE DIM...installing LED'S soon. Blinker stalk jyst takes getting used to.....
Nice Keith! We need to get some of those Weathertech floor liners. The battery compartment is a dirt collecter. 😂 We are now 3 years on the road and still loving our Promaster. See you on the road.
That Dam Slighting Door .....Had it on my 2014 Winnebago Travato and as well on my Fiat Ducato in Europe.....It is a DAM Frustration that they can not fix this. But you get what you pay for....Thanks a lot for these Videos .....Be back soon....A Big Hello from Germany Stay Healthy and save out their
Hi, I working on my third Promaster van conversion in about a year and a half. I agree with you. I'm doing a 2019 right now and the door and floor haven't changed. I did a 2017 last winter and a 2018 in the summer of 2018 and no change. I don't know about the headlights or the turn signal because I don't drive them.
+Mustang 390 Definitely problems that need addressed. But could be worse. I bet your conversion business is booming! Thank you for watching😀
The problem is not with the headlights. It's the wiring assembly.
@wooosh wooosh Use a late model wiring setup would be something to look at. Find a Promaster mechanic. Not to many around. Phoenix and Atlanta have good service centers. Call them.
Hey @one adVANture at a time I might be ages too late, but we have a Fiat Ducato (ProMaster on the european markets) and had that sliding door issue as well. Turned out the magnetic contacter at the end of the sliding door is very temperamental and if there's space by even just a hair with the magnet on the door, or if there is just a bit of dirt on either side, it won't detect contact. I resolved it by tightening the 19mm bolt on the sliding rail just a bit.
Good to know!! Thank You! We learned that we fill the wheel wells with insulation....when the slider door closes the air displacement is now blocked....oops. We just open the front door and is closes fine now. But if we have problems in the future we will keep the magnetic contacter in mind!
Hi on the lights you can turn them off by the radio so when your driving in the day time they want be on. I just figured mine out. Last week.
+money meezy Is there a button on the radio itself? Hmm wish you were here to show me. Thanks for the tip
@@oneadVANtureatatime hi you have to go through your settings. it says head lights off I'll check when I get home tomorrow I'm the road.
We just purchased a 2023 & 2 stupid things is 1. No Tilt steering wheel & 2. Passenger seat doesn't come with a arm rest! Not happy with Dodge!!
Did you buy your Promaster new or used? I liked the design of them, but have been suspicious because they’re basically a Fiat designed/built Van. How many miles you got so far? As I said, like the layout and design of them, but my main question is reliability. All the major Vans seem to have issues as I’ve researched.
+Jonathan Hansen we bought our Promaster used. It had 29,000 miles on it when we bought it and we have put another 27,000 miles on in in the last year! We love the design as well, great turning radius, lots of pep ( even as heavy as our is), and front wheel drive. We did have to replace one engine coil. Other than these issues we discuss (most are pretty insignificant) it’s been pretty good. I understand your concern though.
I had a Fiat Abarth and it was well designed and never an issue.
Why are you suspicious because its a Fiat? Do you have any idea how many are produced under 4 brands for how many years? Maybe google it....All vans except the GM are European.
I have the 2018 and yes I hate the squishy spot, my doors work fine although the cupholders placement sucks I have about 28,000 miles on it and I haven’t had a problem with the headlights as of yet. I do expediting out of my van and I drive anywhere from 2000 to 4000 miles a week but so far so good.
Yep. Poor design on those cup holders. Very low and shallow. Bottle of water falls out every time because it is so shallow.
+Vickie Martinez Yes you have to take your eye off the road to grab from the cup holders.
@Blind Squid lololol 🤣😂
If I have all the windows shut the sliding door is hard to shut and I get that sliding door open message, if I have some windows open the door shuts fine. I think it's an over pressure inside the van that causes the door from closing completely when all the windows are up
+Pat Thank you for the helpful comment. That was the solution that worked for us. I just leave a door open until the slider is shut and no more problems. 😀
Yes the sliding door was an issue in my 2018 and it was found to be a bad sensor. Replaced and problem solved YAY. Also have the coolant smell immediately after the 1st free DEALER oil change. How strange is that. My biggest Hate is....I live on a dirt road and the Promaster has too many holes that allow the dust to get in. Still filling in gaps as I find them...but I still love my VAN
+George Manessis Glad to hear the slider was just a sensor! I wonder if they topped off your coolant level after the oil change and either spilled some coolant or over filled it. Happy to hear you still love your van! We still do also 😀
Briliant video. Thank you so much for sharing!
Well this might be old, I think I finally found the leaks that know one can find. Here is why you cannot see them. It seems to come when pressure builds up in the antifreeze coolant lines, to see this leak in action, crawl under van and find the coolant hose bottom one (about 2 inches round. Run your engine for about 10/15 min to heat up coolant, wear gloves that are heat resistance and then squeeze as hard as you can at the out end of the hose (where the hose clamp is at) fluid will come out. This seems to be one of many other connections leak because of the type of hose clamp being used. Solution is to add your own hose clamp as close as possible to the one that came with the van, snug it down good and leaks will be gone.
I switched the Headlight to LED using the gasket method and never had a problem again. Agreed with the other viewer, slightly lift the door to adjust the angle will help closing the door. Cheers !
+Mike Lee Thanks for the helpful comments! I am about one more bulb change out away from going led. Happy travels and thank you for watching.
What do you mean by the gasket method?
@@MrSharkphoto he probably used rtv red gasket maker to hold the bulb in the housing. I epoxied mine in.
Any mechanical problems with the van? Engine / drivetrain?
Mostly small repairs so far. 2 engine coils, transmission coolant hose, and the regular maintenance. We find ourselves averaging 1000 dollars per year in nonmaintenance repairs. Drive train so far has been good.
A year and a half later... have you solved any of these nags? The sliding door sensor is misaligned. The coolant issue is probably a hose that's not clamping properly, or not installed 'deep enough'. On the other hand, it's not bad to replace fluids from time to time. This comes from the "Oil Is Made To Leak" Department.
Hi Chuck. The slider door turned out to be because we filled the air vent by the wheel well with insulation. 😂 Our solution is just open the front door while sliding the door shut.We still have not found the coolant leak. Like you said it's not bad adding a cup of coolant every few months.
I drive a 2500 Promaster 5-6 hours each day for work and have all the same problems.
Also the left foot rest is too close to my body and I’m only 5’9”.
I had left knee surgery 2 weeks ago due to getting in and out of vans 20 times a day for 12 years.
Mice can get into the van is the worst problem I have experienced. I put hardware mesh in some spots but they have a secret way in. A family started in living in my headLiner doing the mice dance. I have traps and still catch them. Anyone know how they get in? They can squeeze through the smallest crack
We don't know either! We had mice make a nest in our engine compartment once! It managed to get insulation from the living compartment and take it there! That's the worse sound! I always picture them chewing on a wire or something valuable. We have noticed Arizona in the winter is prime mice season. We use lights under the engine at night, peppermint spray, mice deterrent spray, open our hood during the day, and even mouse traps as a last resort.
I can vouch for the 2019s still having the squishy spot, and it's absolutely unforgivable that the floor was designed that way. Stupid as it gets! The slider has been fine so far, and I haven't had it long enough yet to comment on the other annoyances covered. Thanks for the heads up!
+cesalt I shut a dish towel in the sliding door today and didn't know it tell I spotted a huge puddle of water .Its been raining hard and the water wicked in. Must have looked silly driving down the highway😆 I hope that because your promaster is new and has not been abused you might not have the rest of the issues.Even with these small problems we still love our van😎
I have a 2022 and it too has the squishy spot. I will have a look at the wires now. Have not detected a coolant smell yet. But smelling coolant inside the compartment is an indication of a leak around the heater core used to blow air across it and heat the interior, this is what I have been told by a mechanic. Don't know about the promaster but in passenger cars the heater core is typically below the dash. I had this happen in a Ford pickup but never saw a drop of coolant anywhere. Another thing the mechanic told me is that fogging of the windshield when you first turn on the defroster is another sign of a leak in the heater core. Thanks for the video.
I love your squishy floor solution! I didn't mind stepping on it but it annoyed the hell out of me that anything I put on it slides backwards to where I can't reach it. I have the same turn signal/high beam issue. Never had a headlight go out. Never smelled coolant. My side door used to close like that but I got into an accident and have a new one which closes GREAT so it's probably adjustable or you could just get broad-sided and see if your replacement door fixes things. I have a 2015.
Thank you! I really just thought I was uncoordinated with the turn signal but turns out many other people have the same experience. Take care and have a good day.
I like your solution for the 'squishy step'. Well done.
Hear you on the door alarm-ouch.
The headlight burnout CAN be an indicator of a deeper electrical issue. I would definitely contact Mercedes about that. We had a ford Focus that would burn out a headlight-BOTH SIDES-every other month like Clockwork. We eventually sold that car. Hated selling it because it got 43 MPG Highway, but the electrical was getting too annoying and too expensive. Have a Ford Ranger now. Lousy Gas Mileage, but everything else has been quite reliable.
Electrical issues ARE a deal breaker for me.
Yeah the slider door doesn't close super easily (unless you're on a downhill lol). We haven't found it to be too much of a problem though. We haven't had the problem of it happening over and over again in the same instance. Just one time, then we close it real good and it seems to work. They just weren't made right by the manufacturer, so it's possible that some promasters have a worse door than others.
My husband had to adjust the thing the door is on because even when closed "all the way" the seal wasn't sealing all the way, so water was coming in when it rained. So he had to adjust it so it closed tighter than when we first got it. There is an adjustment, I think it's at the top part of where the door is attached. I'm not sure how to do it, but maybe somewhere online shows you how to do it. That might help.
Also, I have noticed the weird blinker thing that happens. I haven't been too annoyed about it. When that happens I usually just flip it the opposite way, then it goes on the other way, then I just manually put it back in the middle. My husband says that might be for lane changes, if you don't want to have to turn on your blinker all the way and have to turn it off manually. It will just turn off automatically. But I have had a hard time trying to make that feature happen on purpose lol.
The thing that annoyed me the most about the promaster, right away, that I could not stand and would not be able to live with was the loudness of the blinker and notification beeping, etc. (Like the door not being closed all the way, seat belts not being buckled yet, etc). That was a deal breaker for me, but we already bought the van before I realized how much it bothered me. We took apart the dashboard gauge area to try to figure out where the sound was coming from. Realized there was no way to make it quieter, until we just stuffed a bunch of old towels and rags behind and underneath it, in any space around it as we could. Added and took away towels until the sound was an appropriate level. Now it's perfect! Made me really happy to get that solved. They really should allow you to adjust the volume on those things!
Haven't had any problems with the coolant smell. But I have noticed that if I don't drive the van for a week, the exhaust smells pretty bad the first time I drive it again. It goes away though.
Also, I'm not too happy hearing about the headlights going out so often. That can be a safety concern. But at least if only one goes out at a time it shouldn't be too bad. Also, there are those lights at the top still.
I didn't even realize there were wires below that soft spot between the two front seats. That seems like a dumb design. I will have to check that and make an adjustment there where needed. The wood thing you guys made to go over it seems pretty cool, and it gives you a place for your inverter. win-win.
Great video once again! Thanks guys!
We found out from an earlier comment that the Promaster comes with air vents near the rear wheel wells designed to vent out the air pressure when the sliding door closes. I remember filling them full of insulation wondering what they are for lol 😂So now we leave the front door open until the slider is closed and have no more problems.
We forgot to mention the loud beeping noise! Just like you said... way to loud. I like your way off reducing the noise level with rags, we may do the same. Thank you for watching and we wish you happy travels. Take care 🚎
@@oneadVANtureatatime that is good to know! I haven't done insulation or walls yet, so I will leave those vents open! 😁👍👍
Does any body know if ram pro master 159 2020 have issues with the transmission, or head lights or any other issues, we are interested to get one new but we don’t want bay problems from ram , please help us with your experience . God bless van warriors 🙏
if your not the type to forget to close your side door before you drive, an easy fix would be to locate the switch that gets depressed when you close the door, and short the wires going to the switch. This will trick the car in to thinking the door is always closed. This problem is due to the switch being broken internally and when depressed by the door the internal contacts are not making a solid connection. Alternatively if you are worried about driving off with the door open the easy fix would be to replace the switch.
I have the 2019 Ram PM 2500 159. I absolutely love it. I don’t have any problems with the sliding door beeping crazy. BUT!!!! I am constantly having to slide that sucker with all my might otherwise, for me, it won’t lock. Second, Yyyyep! The bright lights I have the same issue. I’ve had some really PO’d people because u have that delay before u can do anything. Squishy center; Absolutely! I am super interested n the board u made although I’m not sure my Inverter will fit. What inverter do u have? And finally no matter what I do I cannot get the TPM message and load beeping every-time I start the van, to go out. I know there was a recall on earlier years but something tells me I can get this fixed from a dealer under warranty. To me it’s very important. I am already a super super cautious driver having lost my parents in an aweful accident (drunk driver). I have never gotten over that feeling of always needing to b aware and having my car’s safety features working properly. After all that I absolutely love my Van. I’m still n the very beginning stages of building it out. I am also overly cautious about making the wrong decisions: insulation, where will the bed go, sink, ceiling, walls. I can’t wait to get on the road. In closing, do u have the demensions for that board y’all built that goes over the squishy part? And also, if y’all have recommendations for the inverter? Thank you so much for really great videos and for sharing your precious doggy. Happy trails to you.
+MaryAnn DuVall Your very welcome! Glad you like our videos. We are using a 1500 watt sine wave inverter. The squishy step is 14” wide, 27” long, and measures 6” high. Try this when closing your slider from the outside...pull the handle with your right hand and push on the door slightly with your left hand..all at the same time. From the inside we installed a grab handle that helps. We are excited for you about getting on the road and hope we get to meet you
Happy trails 😎
If you dont mouny anything to it, you should be able to cover the squishy spot with a flat piece of plywood and a little velcro.
MaryAnn, I’m sorry for your loss. I just got a new Promaster... the TPM signal was there, and I found that one of the tires was actually low. Filling all tires to the recommended pressure took care of it.
On your driver side door where the latch is located is the information on the tires and pressure. Our promaster takes 80 psi on the rear 2 tires and 65 psi on the front 2. 100 percent of the time people at the tire store have put in the wrong pressure and we now check before leaving any shop. The alarm takes a few minutes of driving before going off. Be prepared for that 😆
The blinker is the most maddening to me. Especially when making a turn that doesn't turn the blinker off so have to do it by hand and then the opposite way turns on! Can't open the sliding door from outside unless it's cold out for some reason, and the squeak in the back is not so fun! Got a '14.
+Lynne nanavanr I forgot to mention hitting the blinker the opposite way and having that go 3 more seconds. Too funny 😄 My old Jeep Wrangler was the same way and even now I am still not use to it. I hope your able to fix the door so it opens from the outside. Take care and happy travels.
So far, knock on wood, the only one we've had is the turn signal. it seems to be very touchy and easy to bump on. The "squishy spot" is there but I'm not that worried about it. Ours is a 2014 and after 50,000 miles it has not presented a problem. We actually have a problem with the license light. Not sure what's going on there. I replaced both bulbs and they literally burned out in a day or two. I may have to replace the entire housing.
+John tatman Interesting about the plate bulbs. Definitely interested to hear more about the cause if you find out. That's great news if you have not had problems with your sliding door. Gives me hope to keep adjusting it tell it works right! 😀 Thank you for sharing about your 2014. We appreciate your comments.
John, check the wire inside the metal "hose" that goes between the door jam and the door. Have had two vans with the fuse and bulb burn outs. The wires get pulled or frayed. Re-wrap them and use dielectric grease on the wire thru the hose. Problem solved.
Regards, Mike
@@miketwigg5358 Thanks Mike. I was wondering if there could be a problem there. You're the first person who has mentioned it though.
What harness do you have on Roodle? My puppy is a Hoodini. Rppdles looks escape proof.
+Sandra Serra The harness is by ”Ruffwear” it's great..no worming his way out. 🐕
+Sandra Serra RUFFWEAR All Day Adventure Dog Harness, Medium Breeds, Adjustable Fit, Size: Medium, Blue Dusk, Front Range Harness, 30501-407M www.amazon.com/dp/B01N10INNX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.k0yDb52GXVJ3
Yup the 2018 have the same issues.
1) The Soft Floor Issue. This is still a thing. My solution was similar, but I used a plain piece of 3/4" plywood, cut it to fit under the cup holder, and extend to just beyond the ledge. I added legs to make it level and it's my every-day step to the back, plus it can be pulled out to use as a step up to see in the storage cubby over the cab (I'm short).
2) The Coolant Smell.... Haven't smelled anything like that yet.
3) The Driver's Side Headlight Issue: I watched another video recently that showed a possible cause of this. It appears the rain reservoir at the base of the driver's side windshield wiper has a tiny drain that is supposed to redirect water away from the light's electric terminal. Sometimes that drain hole gets clogged, so all the water backs up and overflows directly onto the electrical connection, causing possible shorts.
4) Turn signal/light problem: YES that is a true PITA.
4) The Side Door is Open: YES this is ALSO still a PITA.
Very smart Idea as a step. Multiple uses is the key to tiny living. Take care and safe travels.
That blinker would drive me nuts!
Hows the long term been? Any transmission issues?
Hi Andrew. We just broke 100k miles and still no major transmission problems. The last time we had the fluid flushed there was metal shavings on the magnet. The transmission guy recommended a fluid change every 30k miles rather than the 80k miles listed. Anyhow we have been happy with our Promaster. 👍
Have 2018 promaster put 85k miles never had a headlight burnt out so they must have fixed. But I have added 1.5 gallons of coolant over those miles. Must say I do like the van.
1.5 gallons? wow. i have a 2017 and only need to top off the coolant once in a great while, and only a small amount
@@hugeCRSfan69 yep, everytime I change oil coolant is low.
Hi Peter. We also were adding coolant all the time until recently. We decided to test out our coolant at the minimum line instead of the halfway mark to see if we would ”use” less coolant. So far this has been a huge success and we have had to add no coolant in over 3 months. Maybe it was steaming off out the overflow not sure but this has helped. I do however check the coolant more often now as it still makes me a bit nervous.
@@oneadVANtureatatime thanks, ill try that
@@oneadVANtureatatime Leave at MIN and no more smell, have run at MIN without having to add any since June 2019. Some vans do have a leak which will need to be addressed if it continues to drop after reaching MIN.
Cool idea on covering the squishy spot..but what about your inverter underneath it..does it get hot and does it need to stay cool?
It seems to stay cool. There is a few inches below it where air passes through
I found tiny cracks in the coolant tank that weep small amounts of coolant. I am replacing the tank.
Hey guys, I had the same problem with the side door. Drove me nuts. I just tried removing the bumper? handle thing below the lever and now the door shuts way,way better. Give it a try on yours and let me know what you think. As far as I can tell this part seems unnecessary.
Thank you! We will check that out. Also, we learned to open the front door to relieve the pressure and it shuts SO MUCH easier!!
Mike thinks if you change the radiator cap it may help.
Tell Mike thank-you for the radiator cap tip. 👍
@@oneadVANtureatatime will do.
Getting my so to fix my squishy spot for me, thank you sooo much. I wasnt as concerned about the wires and stuff, just that uncomfortable squishy feeling!
Also we noticed if we turn the head lights of before we turn the engine off they don't burn out. Congrats on your Promaster. 😎
I bought a 2016 Ram PM 1500 recently and the slider is very difficult to close securely even from the outside. I took it back in the same day I bought it and they sprayed the track with WD40 and that lasted 2 days. The bottom rear corner has to be man handled in order to close. If I really slam it then the open door light doesn't come on. Also need to address the squishy spot between the seats.
Our slider closed great until we stuffed the air vents near the wheel wells with insulation. Now we have to open the front door before shutting the slider.
So, did dodge correct them in their newer designs, because they are just cosmetics ?
How's the reliability on the power train , is it underpowered? hunting for gears? How's electrical? Engine overheating? Those are the deal breaker for me.
Hi Tik, We have been on the road now for nearly two years now and still are extremely happy with our Promaster. I like the amount of power from the v6 and the gears are great. We have not had any problems with overheating. We bought our van used with a problem with the radio but we have since replaced it with a better one with no more issues. We love Van life! Take care.
one adVANture at a time nice to know.. been working my ass off since 1989 and the idea of living far far away from a big city like LosAngeles is very encouraging.. My partner is going to retire soon (couple of years)from her county job and she’s excited too, I’m just starting to do my homework, that’s the reason for my comment.
Thanks for the tips and when I get my future Promaster I'll see if I have the same problems.
How do you keep your dog from running off? My dog would be gone I'd spend the rest of the day looking for her.
+Mary W he is such a good big and rarely leaves our side!!
Fortunately I have the 3 seater so squishy floor is covered. Or you can simply step over it
Nice! Our friends have the 3 seater in front and love it.
The side door on our 2018 if level or front higher is just make sure you use a crack the whip wrist action it shut ok with practice. BUT any van position w/o a advantage w the weight of the door causes issues.
After having van turned off and getting in/out no message is given if the door is open-know the weather stripping is not sealed IF it rains what a leak!!
We bought a new Fiat Ducato, basically the same vehicle as the Promaster, and had problems with the sliding door. What seemed to be causing it was the contact pad on the body which was loose. It is a sort of rubber/plastic pad with metal contacts that should make good electrical contact with corresponding pads on the door. What has worked so far is to cut an old credit card and slide it behind the pad, holding it firm, slightly further from the body. Strange problem with a new vehicle that the dealer didn’t solve!
+Ashley Allerton glad you figured that out! We had problems with our back door, went to the dealer and they couldn’t fix it either. We messed with it a while and got it fixed. Viewers are saying to keep a window open for air pressure inside the van to escape when you are closing the side door.... that’s has been working good for us.
We have a 2013 Peugeot Boxer which is effectively the same vehicle. The door problem is caused by the sensor plate being compressed after extended use and it then doesn't make good contact when the door is closed. We have fixed this using 2 methods - the first we used thin double sided tape between the sensor and the body to raise the panel a little and it then makes better contact when the door is closed. This worked for a while. We have a better fix through removing the panel and using pliers or a screwdriver to bend the edges of the opening into which the panel fits outwards and then refitting the sensor panel. The panel is now raised a little and makes good contact when the door is shut. Problem solved
PS. This is a common problem on these vehicles and has nothing to do with air pressure - it is purely the result of the sensor panel being compressed inwards and no longer making contact with the door when shut
I have a 2018 and only have the swishy step. I believe that was on purpose to distribute the weight over the wires. I hate that there is no handle to pull you up from the side door.
+Taapb faapb Taapb taapb That is a great Idea. A grab handle like the jeep wranglers have. Right now we use our sink and the back of the passenger door for grab points. Our little plastic step helps and is a cheap solution but not all that convenient.
@@oneadVANtureatatime I grab the headrest post to help myself up.
You mentioned you had to get grass...on another channel due to promaster...couldn't make out what You were saying..plz explain
You can lower the buzzer sound in your dash menu...I would axe mine if I could. The sliding doors are notorious for being off kilter. My 2019 w/6k has a squeak in the slider I can't find... Its big noise on a rough road. Going on the warranty list!... Have you tried adjusting the track bolt at the bottom of the slider straight down from the door handle? Try different positions and see if the telltale goes off. You can move the slider in and out of the track. Also, if you haven't already, clean the contact pads with alcohol. Rear pillar when slider is open. If your like me, you probably hit everything with a "bigger hammer"!! ...2018 +, Tony supposedly corrected the overheating of the headlamp sockets...we'll see!... Always praise your PM like you do your dog and a pat on the hood... Can't hurt
Thank you for sharing your experience and insight, very much appreciated. We actually filled the built-in air vents with insulation so there is no place for the air to escape. We learned if we leave the front door open while sliding our side door shut it works like brand new. Take care and thank you for watching.
@@oneadVANtureatatime WOW...Simple fix!
We have a ‘17 and the sliding door took some time getting used to but it just needs to be closed firmly
+Aaron G Learning curve for sure. I now give a little pressure on the door as it slides and having more success.
Even tho there's supposedly venting in the rear, i always have another door or window open before I close the sliding door. Works every time!
Curious if this is the 136 or 159 wheelbase? And do you know what kinda mpg yall get?
+Blurry Face 159 in wheel base. We get 16 MPG😃
that is so funny! the FIRST thing i "fixed" was putting a piece of wood over the squishy spot!
so good to know you have all the same annoyances as me! i actually ended up building around the back door being my main door cause i was sick of the sliding door sucking so badly.
Too funny! We have learned that if we turn off the headlights before turning the engine off our headlights no longer burn out. Take care and hope to meet you on the road.
lol ive had mine for 3 years and never noticed any "squishy spot"
@@hugeCRSfan69 really?!?! haha who knows, maybe some of ours are missing a vital piece of plastic haha i wouldn't be surprised! if you never step on that spot, you'd never know it though...
@@warriorkelly i actually went out and checked and there is a small soft spot between the 2 front seats. i dont think its a big deal or a problem though otherwise they wouldnt have made it like that. that area is not really meant to be stepped on anyway
@@hugeCRSfan69 totally agree. It happens that for me, I noticed I kept stepping directly on it whenever going from front to back hahaha 🤷🏽♀️
I just bought my 2019 Promaster and have had no issue with coolant. Also, I have no problem with the turn signals. They work like most cars I've had. The fact that you picked 5 micro-petty gripes is a testament to the superb engineering design of this European designed van. Additionally, I think the RAM Promaster is by far the best looking of the 3. If I had to make a list of positives, it would take pages. Your complaints seem to be an excuse to indulge in making a contrarian TH-cam video. even if these "problems" did exist, they are minor and the pluses far outweigh any perceived faults.
+Scott H on the contrary! We get comments quite regularly about what a piece of $h!+ the Promaster is. The 5 micro-petty gripes was to show how much we love it! A reverse physiology type of video😃
Seriously, the five things we listed are so minor!!
@@oneadVANtureatatime thank you for making the video. It helps me so much. Sliding door issue. Thanks to the video people replied with solutions to help others with the same problem. As for the other guy, lucky him he has had any issues yet. But for the rest of us, we are thankful for these problem-solution types of video. Comments are super helpful.
Your video was VERY HELPFUL... Thank You!
I am, and (after seeing your video) "maybe" still interested in buying a 2022 Ram Promaster 2500 High Roof Cargo Van 159" wheelbase. I have been doing a WHOLE LOT of research before I made my decision on the Ram Promaster, but now I am wondering if maybe I should be doing my research on the 2022 Ford Transit High Roof instead??? What do you think?
I would definitely check out the ford transit. They were coming out with a 4X4 either this year 2021 or next year. That would probably be the only thing that would really sway us to look at the transit. We are very happy with the Promaster. They are using the Promaster in so many areas( mail delivery, ambulances, amazon) that parts will be easy to acquire if needed. Perhaps the transit is the same? Let us know what you think? And what you decide😀 happy researching!!!
One thing to consider in Promaster vs Transit is the quality of your local dealership. In general, I have had a lot of frustration with the CJDR dealerships I've gone to (my pre-owned Promaster is still under warranty so I have to go through them for parts and service). I am still overall happy with the Promaster (despite the "squishy step"!) but I didn't consider this aspect when I purchased.
Great video, I have a 2018 with bad door adjustments, back & side doors creaking. I've managed to get the side door ok but the back one is still annoying with a creaking sound at the top. I've even put lithium grease on the latches that did help for a while. Also changed the passenger headlight as well. My biggest disappointment is how Dodge attached the lower mouldings all the way around. They are purposely causing the van to rust out with this design.
+R G Thank you! Yep we get that creaking sound with the side door. Which adjustment brackets did you find most useful with the slider?
Dave: Update on coolant level. The level hasn’t moved at all since we last discussed it. It looks like that’s just where the sweet spot is. So I’m not going to add back up to the max line.
Exactly the same for us!!!
Didn't you find the little leak ? I thought you finally found it...
Thank you for sharing this!! I though it was just me with the sliding door not being shut and the blinker/high beam issue. I have a used (but only a few hundred miles on it) 2019 Promaster so they definitely are still happening :)
A 2019 with the same (though simple) problems - and that is the concern I have with buying something made by Fiat.
Yes the 2020 pro master 3500 still has the squishy spot
I hear that the 2020s don't have the headlamp bulb issue. We hope that's true. 😀
My 2016 Promaster has the sliding door issue too. The warning comes off and on without reason.
It was super intense!! I felt sorry for the tent campers.
I have the Promaster 2017,1500 model. The headlights do go out but once you figure out how to replace it,it's no biggie. Takes me about 20 minutes . Hint-take out the whole unit.To shut the sliding door,just open a window first.
+joe viljoen That is the solution for the slider! Really appreciate your helpful comment! Like you said no biggie for the light replacement after you do it a time or two.
joe viljoen how the engine and transmission is it reliable