Truck completely discharged battery in 30 hours

[00 Trans Ram]

TLDR - Put in a wireless charging pad. Killed battery. Took several tries to get battery back. Now it works (for now). Can a wireless charger plugged into the USB-C charging port under the radio discharge a battery in 30 hours?

It's a 2025 1500 Limited with 15k miles. Everything was fine except the wireless chargers didn't work. Saw a few posts talking about replacing with another qi charger, so I got this one https://a.co/d/0j1KGrWs. Plugged it into the USB-C charging (not the 1 or 2 communication) port and it worked like a charm. Kept up with charging the phone during normal usage (Android Auto, Waze, Spotify all running). Even added a percent charge every 30 min or so.

Left it plugged in Sunday evening and didn't drive Monday. Tuesday morning, truck is completely dead. Won't unlock doors, no lights, nothing. Check battery. Battery is at 3.4v. Tried using the jump start box. Nope. Put it on a charger, but charger wouldn't even begin charging it.

This morning, figure I'm going to go get a new battery, try to jump it with the jump box again, and it works! Drive an hour and the alternator is reading ~12.2v most of the time, with occasional jumps to 14.1 (seems odd behavior?). Stop the truck, it won't start again. Put it on the charger and the charger works now, reading 10.5v.

Leave it charging for 3 hours, go to drive again, it won't start. Use jump box, starts up. Drive an hour and it's constantly 13.4-14.1 charging (normal, right?). Stop to run an errand, come back, it starts right up. Get home, measure voltage, battery is reading 12.3v now.

Would that wireless charger have run down the battery like that?

 

[Paul B]

Maybe quit using the charger, if it doesn't go dead you have your answer.
That's what I'd try.
Paul B

 

[Richard320]

I wonder if the charger doesn't also trigger a bunch of other parasitic draws? By itself it shouldn't pull enough amperage to drain a battery that fast.

 

[00 Trans Ram]

Maybe quit using the charger, if it doesn't go dead you have your answer.
That's what I'd try.
Paul B

Yep - pulled it out as soon as I saw it was dead. Starting to work again . . . but I can't figure out how it would have drained the battery. First off, the USB should have been off. Secondly, even if it was on, I can't imagine it pulling enough electricity (even if it was charging a phone!) to discharge a car battery.

Weird.

 

[Rebellion is Duty]

'2025' is key there. Weird battery events are a common tale.

 

[00 Trans Ram]

'2025' is key there. Weird battery events are a common tale.

Yeah, I'm starting to see that.

 

[70runner]

If you can, check the truck for parasitic draw w/o the wireless charging pad, then with the pad. Possible you might already have an issue that the pad aggravated.

 

[Ripper]

Yep - pulled it out as soon as I saw it was dead. Starting to work again . . . but I can't figure out how it would have drained the battery. First off, the USB should have been off. Secondly, even if it was on, I can't imagine it pulling enough electricity (even if it was charging a phone!) to discharge a car battery.

Weird.

I thought my 26 had a similar issue. Locked the truck and went inside, it was dark out. Went outside a bit later like 45 Minutes or so and thought I saw lights on in the cab. Went over to look and sure enough the illuminated borders around the USB ports were on. Figured that was not a good thing. Got on my computer and did some research and found out the USB ports are left on for 60 minutes after you shut off ignition to allow extra charging for anything left plugged in. I also found various reports of the USB ports remaining on longer or never shutting off. Cycling the ignition solved the issue is some cases.

You might want to check and see if you are experiencing this issue. My other thoughts were if the USB remains active what other modules or systems might be remaining active leading to a discharged battery.

 

[00 Trans Ram]

If you can, check the truck for parasitic draw w/o the wireless charging pad, then with the pad. Possible you might already have an issue that the pad aggravated.

Well, the good news is that it wasn't the charging pad.

The bad news is that it wasn't the charging pad. Just went back out this afternoon and it was completely dead again. Nothing plugged in. Jump started it and it set off the alarm.

Got it running, then noticed that the door locks (and unlocks) won't work. Neither the switches on the door nor the key fob. Only pulling the handle from the inside or the physical key on the driver's door.

Also, the 4wd was out The light above 2wd was dark and it wouldn't switch to 4wd at all (either by pressing buttons or switching to Sport or Off Road driving modes). And the auto-stop/start button was non-functional (though, this is a good thing).

Taking it to dealership tomorrow.

 

[00 Trans Ram]

Took it to dealer. They checked battery and alternator - no problems. They found a TSB for a flash update for the BCM due to battery draining. Performed the update. Let's see if it works.

TSB 08-380-25

08-380-25 Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions - OEMDTC

Flash: Body Control Module (BCM) Updates Customers may experience one or more of the following: ● The battery is draining from interior lighting. ● Lock/unlock may not work on the key FOB. This bulletin involves inspecting and possibly reprogramming the BCM with the latest available software.

oemdtc.com

 

[Ram1500OwnerMaybe]

Wow, when was that released?
Unable to open the web site.
Keep the thread updated.
If this does resolve the issue it would be HUGE news.

 

[kapinallinen2]

Wow, when was that released?

Manufacturer Communication Number: 08-380-25

TSB/Document Date: 2025-11-26
edit: actual date was 11-21-26

 

[00 Trans Ram]

Let me see if I can attach the actual file...