Dead in the Driveway; Had to be Haul Away

[AlJ]

I was really happy with my new 2019 Dodge Ram Laramie after driving it for all of 3,400 miles, until yesterday afternoon. I went to start it yesterday afternoon, and it was dead. A mechanic came to my house with a battery pack to jump it and still nothing. Frustratingly, almost everything inside the truck worked, but it wouldn't start. Wouldn't even cycle through the acc/run positions. It had to be dragged up on the flatbed, because even after manually shifting it to neutral, the parking brake wouldn't release. Waiting to hear from the Dealership now. Hopefully it's still not on the flatbed.

 

[Trfnj74]

You should talk to this guy, he's having the same issue

https://5thgenrams.com/community/th...mpletely-dead-out-of-options.6744/#post-97784

 

[klail]

I hope you didn't literally drag the truck. There is a manual override for the transmission to get the truck to neutral if something like this were to happen. The below video is pre 2019 model year but I would imagine it is not too different since they both have the 8 speed.
I could be wrong and I am sure someone else may know.

 

[Rich]

Thanks for this video, I keep meaning to try this myself, so I'll know how to use it if/when the time comes.

Our owners manual basically says the same steps as this video shows, so I'll assume it's the same. The only real difference appears to be that we have the fun electronic parkin brake (vs the mechanical parking brake shown in this video). Without trying it myself yet, the video appears to follow our 2019 DT model trucks.

Here are the steps from our DT owners manual:

In order to push or tow the vehicle in cases where the
transmission will not shift out of PARK (such as a dead
battery), a Manual Park Release is available.

Follow these steps to activate the Manual Park Release:
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool, remove the
Manual Park Release access cover, which is just below
the Electric Park Brake switch, below and to the left of
the steering column.
3. Press and maintain firm pressure on the brake pedal.
4. Using the screwdriver or similar tool, push the Manual
Park Release lever locking tab (just below the middle of
the lever) to the right.
5. While holding the locking tab in the disengaged position,
pull the tether strap to rotate the lever rearward,
until it locks in place pointing towards the driver’s seat.
Release the locking tab and verify that the Manual Park
Release lever is locked in the released position.
6. The vehicle is now out of PARK and can be towed.
Release the parking brake only when the vehicle is
securely connected to a tow vehicle.

To Reset The Manual Park Release:
1. Push the locking tab to the right, to unlock the lever.
2. Rotate the Manual Park Release lever forward to its
original position, until the locking tab snaps into place
to secure the lever.
3. Pull gently on the tether strap to confirm that the lever
is locked in its stowed position.
4. Re-install the access cover.

The other thing I want to practice before I need to do it is dropping the spare tire. I'd hate to be doing that the first time if it's dark while it's raining or snowing!

 

[PTRAM]

Am I missing something--isn't 2019 the first year for the electronic parking brake?

 

[klail]

Am I missing something--isn't 2019 the first year for the electronic parking brake?

I believe it was for the electronic gear shift which would deactivate the parking break too. I could be wrong.

 

[AlJ]

I hope you didn't literally drag the truck. There is a manual override for the transmission to get the truck to neutral if something like this were to happen. The below video is pre 2019 model year but I would imagine it is not too different since they both have the 8 speed.
I could be wrong and I am sure someone else may know.

Literally, put the bed up against the rear tires and slid the truck onto the bed. The truck was in neutral , but the e-brake wouldn't release.

 

[AlJ]

Now I am getting concerned. I just spoke with the dealership and the truck is still sitting in their lot because they dont know how to get the e- brake to release either.

 

[duke2001]

Now I am getting concerned. I just spoke with the dealership and the truck is still sitting in their lot because they dont know how to get the e- brake to release either.

According to the Manual :The park brake can be applied even when the ignition switch is OFF but the BRAKE telltale light will not illuminate, however, it can only be released when the ignition is in the ON/RUN mode.

I don't have access to wiring diagrams for this feature, but it probably requires electrical power to disengage. If the power buss is not active, then it probably won't release.

When this is all resolved, please inform us to the cause and how it was repaired. Thanks

 

[AlJ]

According to the Manual :The park brake can be applied even when the ignition switch is OFF but the BRAKE telltale light will not illuminate, however, it can only be released when the ignition is in the ON/RUN mode.

And hence the problem. The truck will not cycle to the ON/RuN mode.

 

[duke2001]

And hence the problem. The truck will not cycle to the ON/RuN mode.

And hence the problem. The truck will not cycle to the ON/RuN mode.

Okay, so you have battery power but the vehicle will not change from the "off" stage when the push button switch is pushed?

 

[AlJ]

Okay, so you have battery power but the vehicle will not change from the "off" stage when the push button switch is pushed?

Correct. I have interior/exterior lights and the uconnect screen and radio works.

 

[Rich]

Now I am getting concerned. I just spoke with the dealership and the truck is still sitting in their lot because they dont know how to get the e- brake to release either.

If it is the brake, and not the transmission in park that's causing the issue, it's pretty strange that the dealer can't get instructions on how to release this!

If FCA gives them special instructions, I hope you can pass it along here!

 

[AlJ]

If it is the brake, and not the transmission in park that's causing the issue, it's pretty strange that the dealer can't get instructions on how to release this!

If FCA gives them special instructions, I hope you can pass it along here!

Will do. They indicated they had contacted FCA for guidance. My thought was figure out why it wont start, then you fix two problems.

 

[Rich]

Will do. They indicated they had contacted FCA for guidance. My thought was figure out why it wont start, then you fix two problems.

Yes, but then there will be no work around for a stuck parking brake and a dead BCM or whatever is the issue.

At least the hood is still a mechanical release so if we have a simple dead battery we can access the battery for a jump start.

It's interesting that they thought of a transmission mechanical park override, but didn't allow for a parking brake mechanical override?!?!?

 

[AlJ]

Yes, but then there will be no work around for a stuck parking brake and a dead BCM or whatever is the issue.

At least the hood is still a mechanical release so if we have a simple dead battery we can access the battery for a jump start.

It's interesting that they thought of a transmission mechanical park override, but didn't allow for a parking brake mechanical override?!?!?

Exactly my thoughts, which leads me to believe whatever is wrong with the truck, is highly unusal and not anticipated to happen. I am fairly certain its not the battery, since we tried two different bettery packs and neither made a difference.

 

[Edwards]

Yes, but then there will be no work around for a stuck parking brake and a dead BCM or whatever is the issue.

At least the hood is still a mechanical release so if we have a simple dead battery we can access the battery for a jump start.

It's interesting that they thought of a transmission mechanical park override, but didn't allow for a parking brake mechanical override?!?!?

Since the parking brakes are electric (actually have a motor at each rear brake location) I don't see how you could have a mechanical override.

Maybe a "jump start" at each brake to reverse the brake with an external battery?

 

[Ranger482]

Sorry to hear you are going through this issue. Should't happen. Another one of the electronic gremlins that seem to be popping up. Hope they resolve it for you quickly and let us know how to release the e-brake.

 

[AlJ]

Sorry to hear you are going through this issue. Should't happen. Another one of the electronic gremlins that seem to be popping up. Hope they resolve it for you quickly and let us know how to release the e-brake.

Sorry to hear you are going through this issue. Should't happen. Another one of the electronic gremlins that seem to be popping up. Hope they resolve it for you quickly and let us know how to release the e-brake.

Thanks, and I agree, shouldn't have happened, but.....it did. I doubt very much if there is a manual override to release the e-brake, however if you fix the reason the truck won't start, the brakes will take care of themselves. I had to laugh at the tow truck driver though. He said he has had this happen to him before and he just disassembled the rear brakes to release them. I told him to put his tools away, because that wasn't happening.

 

[klail]

Thanks, and I agree, shouldn't have happened, but.....it did. I doubt very much if there is a manual override to release the e-brake, however if you fix the reason the truck won't start, the brakes will take care of themselves. I had to laugh at the tow truck driver though. He said he has had this happen to him before and he just disassembled the rear brakes to release them. I told him to put his tools away, because that wasn't happening.

HA! I called you hear for a tow, NOT to be a mechanic.