Does this truck have an Event Data Recorder?

Hello,

Can you tell us what you are exactly trying to do?
These vehicles have the capabilities to keep records of pre-determined data that was set from the factory.
It can store any amount of data like engine hours, the operating temperature range, how many times the vehicle has been started, if the vehicle is equipped with GPS, it will have that data available as well.
For the most part some of this stored data can be accessed only with specialized scan tools from the factory.
Typical code readers or diagnostic tools can only get engine or transmission data and airbag, ABS etc. Codes.

Let me know of any questions.
Thank you.

Hi guys. There's two more things you might be referring to. One is the Chrysler Co-pilot. That's a portable unit that can be plugged into the data port to record what's happening when an intermittent problem occurs. That can travel with the vehicle owner for days or weeks if necessary. It can be set to record sensor data for a specific system. That, along with other operating conditions, can be replayed later to see what inputs or outputs changed as the event unfolded. Since the data passes through its memory, just like with the "record" function on scanners, the recording actually begins a few seconds before the "record" button was pressed.

To expand on two of Sean's comments, the second thing you may be referring to has to do with data stored in the Air Bag Computer and Anti-Lock Brake Computer. Those record operating conditions leading up to those computers going into action. For example, if you're in a crash, those computers will show whether the brake pedal was pressed, and for how long and how hard it was pushed. Vehicle speed is also recorded. Some people don't like that because it can prove you were speeding, but it can also prove you were not speeding. That information can only be retrieved by Chrysler. I've been told law enforcement agencies can read it too, but that might only also be through Chrysler.

A different type of event recorder we rarely discuss has to do with warranty work. When any defect is detected by the Engine Computer and it sets the appropriate diagnostic fault code, even after we erase those codes, a permanent record of it is kept in that computer. If a disagreement comes up, such as whether proper procedures were followed related to a recall, Chrysler engineers can take that computer and verify the fault in question really did occur, and how long it took to diagnose or how many repair attempts occurred. Chrysler instructors tell us that record is permanent going back to when the vehicle was new. I never thought to ask what the ramifications are related to installing a used computer into a different vehicle. This permanent record capability goes back to at least the early '90s when none of this silly programming to the vehicle's VIN had been dreamed up yet, so any good used computer could be transplanted into any similar model. Only Chrysler can retrieve that data. That information might be useful in a lawsuit, but I don't know what kind of legal standing it would have.

Correct. That data is constantly being monitored by the Air Bag Computer / Supplemental Restraint Computer, and the Anti-Lock Brake Computer on vehicles with that option. I don't know how far back the memories go, but what's most important is the five or ten seconds preceding the event.

I have a 2014 Ram with traction control and skid recovery. Those are options added onto the anti-lock brake option. With those, even the steering wheel angle and "yaw" rate are recorded. Yaw rate refers to the truck sliding sideways so you'd have to look out a front door window to see where you're going. With those, it can be determined if you were steering the right way to recover from a skid, and it can prove the systems were working. I'll never admit how much I was going over the speed limit on the Interstate while dragging a tandem axle enclosed trailer, (heavily-loaded), but the anti skid system activated while coming around a sharp corner. I could have handled it myself by just slowing down quickly, but after all the lights on the dash stopped flashing, I just continued on as if nothing had happened. I wouldn't want to be dependent on systems like that, but it's comforting to know it's there.

Among all of their many other "firsts", Chrysler was the first manufacturer to use air bags in the mid '80s. Even those had data recorders, but the computers were relatively stupid compared to what we have now. You had to have one of the two front crash sensors and the "safing" sensor inside the computer trip at exactly the same time for the driver's air bag to deploy. Today there's air bags built into the seat upholstery, into the head liner just above the doors, and even some in front of your knees. The passenger air bag won't deploy in a crash if no one is sitting there. Only some of those bags deploy depending on the angle of the impact. It's rare to find more than half of them deployed. Some of the others can be deployed with varying amounts of force. Even the seatbelts have explosive charges built in to tighten the belts during a crash.