I got a 2006 Ram 1500, 5.7L with about 114k miles on it.
Today the engine completely died, and at the same time the "Check Gauges" light popped on while I was pulling up to a stopsign. There was no drop in voltage or oil pressure from what I saw on the dashboard, and the car started back up no problem when I threw it into park and turned the key. No codes popped up either. This is the first time this has happened. I have no idea what it could be. I thought it may have been the battery, but I tested it and it appears to be fine.
Things to note:
I replaced the EGR valve myself a few days ago because the original was caked in carbon and threw on my "Check Engine" light. After I replaced it my truck's performance improved quite a bit. The acceleration was much more responsive and the mileage improved a little. Could the new unit be giving me issues now even though its not giving me any error codes?
Another Note:
Ever since I bought the truck (had about 104k miles at the time), the exhaust has had a rattle. Whenever I start the car, accelerate, when I idle, the rattle can be heard. Its not terribly loud, but it sounds like someone slowy shaking a couple rocks in a paint can, and its been a concern to me. I think I can trace it to the muffler, but the hell if I know for sure. I can replicate the sound when I hit the exhaust pipe hard enough with a rubber mallet. There are no loose bolts or clips that hold the exhaust system in place underneath, so that leads me to believe its something inside one of the components. I've brought it up to three different mechanics when I get it inspected for other issues, and everyone tells me its nothing to worry about after they "look at it", which I think is most likely bullshit.
Everywhere I look online gives me different answers. Some say its a bad fuel pump because it doesn't throw any error codes, others say its a catalytic converter problem or even a shitty manifold. One faggot even said it could be the alternator because they're known to be shit on these cars.
Everything else functions flawlessly on this truck. Transmission works well, theres no engine knock, no leaks whatsoever, but this issue has bugged me all goddamn day. Should I just take it to a fucking dealership now because the mechanics are incompetent, or am I just overreacting? Sorry for the blogpost I hope this paragraph isn't considered "reddit spacing" :^)