My truck is a 2020 Ram 1500. a few months ago I had the leaking back window. I bought the truck used, and it only came with one key fob.
I’m only aware of this because one day the truck wouldn’t start. I even hooked up jumper cables thinking the battery was dead, and when I hit the PTS button, still just a single click.
Pulled my phone out and did some searching and this is when I discovered the massive amount of people having this same problem because the leaks and possible water damage to the RF Hub.
I have no clue how long the back window had been leaking?? I noticed several cracks in the plastic frame that the back window mounts in to make the seal.
Through some determination, trying multiple times cycling through the PTS ignition buttons and locking/unlocking the doors with both the buttons on the door and key fob, pushing the PTS button with the fob itself, I was able to get it to start.
After that, no issues for a while, but I made an appointment at the dealer, anyway. Went ahead and bought a new battery for the FOB and had the truck battery replaced, as well, as it was getting low.
Took it to the dealer, they said the only thing covered by the warranty was the 3rd brake light seal. So, they replaced that.
They said the window and window frame isn’t covered, and I would need to have that replaced at my cost.
At this time, they said there are no other issues with the truck, they checked the systems and everything came back good.
I did not have the back window or frame replaced, instead, I sealed it myself with black sealant. Checked after words and multiple times since then to verify there is no leaks around the window.
Unless you know its there and get close and look in the gaps, you can’t even see it. $8 of sealant was way easier to swallow than $1200 for the window replacement.
BUT! Over the last several weeks the not starting while pushing the PTS button. I have always been successful at finally getting it to start using the same methods as before.
I don’t know what actually causes it to eventually work, I just know it eventually starts. Sometimes after just a minute or 2 or sometimes it takes up to 15-20 minutes of….determination?
But the issue is definitely becoming more frequent.
So, I had another appointment at the dealer to specifically check the RF Hub for water damage because the truck would just randomly not start.
They said they checked everything and all the communication systems and everything seems to be working fine. They also checked my key fob.
They think the issue is my key fob. They say it’s only transmitting intermittently at a success rate of about 40%.
The guy showed me the checker and how they check it, and it does appear that it’s not working as it should.
So, they quoted a new fob for $244 + $80 to program it. On top of the $238 diagnostic fee.
I did not go with this option. Instead, I chose to order one online.
I’m still highly skeptical that they key fob is actually the issue, but I’m trying it anyway because if it is, GREAT, and I needed a 2nd fob anyway.
It always locks and unlocks the truck fine. The dealer says they are like 97% sure it’s the fob and that the communications systems are fine.
They did this assessment in about 25 minutes, so I have my doubts they actually physically checked the RF hub for signs of water damage.
Does anyone have any suggestions or insights?
I’m only aware of this because one day the truck wouldn’t start. I even hooked up jumper cables thinking the battery was dead, and when I hit the PTS button, still just a single click.
Pulled my phone out and did some searching and this is when I discovered the massive amount of people having this same problem because the leaks and possible water damage to the RF Hub.
I have no clue how long the back window had been leaking?? I noticed several cracks in the plastic frame that the back window mounts in to make the seal.
Through some determination, trying multiple times cycling through the PTS ignition buttons and locking/unlocking the doors with both the buttons on the door and key fob, pushing the PTS button with the fob itself, I was able to get it to start.
After that, no issues for a while, but I made an appointment at the dealer, anyway. Went ahead and bought a new battery for the FOB and had the truck battery replaced, as well, as it was getting low.
Took it to the dealer, they said the only thing covered by the warranty was the 3rd brake light seal. So, they replaced that.
They said the window and window frame isn’t covered, and I would need to have that replaced at my cost.
At this time, they said there are no other issues with the truck, they checked the systems and everything came back good.
I did not have the back window or frame replaced, instead, I sealed it myself with black sealant. Checked after words and multiple times since then to verify there is no leaks around the window.
Unless you know its there and get close and look in the gaps, you can’t even see it. $8 of sealant was way easier to swallow than $1200 for the window replacement.
BUT! Over the last several weeks the not starting while pushing the PTS button. I have always been successful at finally getting it to start using the same methods as before.
I don’t know what actually causes it to eventually work, I just know it eventually starts. Sometimes after just a minute or 2 or sometimes it takes up to 15-20 minutes of….determination?
But the issue is definitely becoming more frequent.
So, I had another appointment at the dealer to specifically check the RF Hub for water damage because the truck would just randomly not start.
They said they checked everything and all the communication systems and everything seems to be working fine. They also checked my key fob.
They think the issue is my key fob. They say it’s only transmitting intermittently at a success rate of about 40%.
The guy showed me the checker and how they check it, and it does appear that it’s not working as it should.
So, they quoted a new fob for $244 + $80 to program it. On top of the $238 diagnostic fee.
I did not go with this option. Instead, I chose to order one online.
I’m still highly skeptical that they key fob is actually the issue, but I’m trying it anyway because if it is, GREAT, and I needed a 2nd fob anyway.
It always locks and unlocks the truck fine. The dealer says they are like 97% sure it’s the fob and that the communications systems are fine.
They did this assessment in about 25 minutes, so I have my doubts they actually physically checked the RF hub for signs of water damage.
Does anyone have any suggestions or insights?
