2 week old Limited DEAD

[kittyjo]

14.2 to 14.6 is normal if it’s below 13volts the truck is running off the battery and the alternator is bad

 

[Mikey]

14.2 to 14.6 is normal if it’s below 13volts the truck is running off the battery and the alternator is bad

OK thanks. So I shouldn't be concerned that I'm running as high as 14.8 and over charging?

 

[Mikey]

No, that is within the acceptable range of "normal" operation.

Good deal, thanks for responding!

 

[Kewonotay]

This happened to me this morning. Truck was behaving just fine. Tried to start from my app and it didn't crank so when I walked out I tried the remote start and nothing happened. That's when i knew something was wrong. It was so dead that my car battery jumper, which uses technology to not put power to the jumper cables until it recognizes it's been hooked up, didn't even recognize my truck battery. Had to use valet key to unlock.

Over-rid the technology and got the truck jumped off and the battery then behaved fine so I let the truck run for about 10 mins before leaving for work to charge up the battery.

But then every check or service warning was on and truck wouldn't shift out of 1st gear. So I had it towed. When the guy went to unload off the wrecker, all the service engine lights had cleared and he said it was behaving fine. Something must have drained the battery completely dead. The dealer kept it to do a couple checks, but I imagine they're just going to tell me they couldn't replicate it.

This exact series of events happened to me, today! My truck has been running fine, but yesterday I had a factory trailer brake controller installed at the dealership, yesterday. Parked it overnight and this morning, my battery was dead. It is at the dealership now and I hope they are able to discover that something was done wrong on the installation.

 

[outback1972]

The same thing happened to me today. Nothing out of the norm. Drove to work like normal. Cam out after 4 hours and truck was dead. Had to call roadside assistance to have it jumped. Took it to the dealer and said codes were for a dead battery. Drove it for 2 hours to recharge it but I don't think it's right. The led lights around the USB plugs won't shut off when the car is turned off. I suspect that's what is draining the battery? Can anyone confirm those are not supposed to stya on? I don't remeber it doing that before.

 

[Edwards]

The same thing happened to me today. Nothing out of the norm. Drove to work like normal. Cam out after 4 hours and truck was dead. Had to call roadside assistance to have it jumped. Took it to the dealer and said codes were for a dead battery. Drove it for 2 hours to recharge it but I don't think it's right. The led lights around the USB plugs won't shut off when the car is turned off. I suspect that's what is draining the battery? Can anyone confirm those are not supposed to stya on? I don't remeber it doing that before.

They stay on for a while longer than other interior lights. They would have to be on a long time to drain your battery. They are very low draw. I would suspect that it's either a programming glitch or you got one of the bad batteries from the factory.

 

[outback1972]

They stay on for a while longer than other interior lights. They would have to be on a long time to drain your battery. They are very low draw. I would suspect that it's either a programming glitch or you got one of the bad batteries from the factory.

It's been 2 hours and they are still on, so I'm wondering if there isn't something else stuck on as well draining. The dealer I took it to was too busy and couldn't even do a battery test so I ended up taking it to a Honda mechanic friend who used his battery testing gadget and it tests as being a good battery.

 

[Patsy1099]

I don’t think those are lights. Just glow in the dark material right?

Also earlier in this thread it speaks about a faulty wire or faulty power distribution center. Should have the dealer check those.

 

[duke2001]

It's been 2 hours and they are still on, so I'm wondering if there isn't something else stuck on as well draining. The dealer I took it to was too busy and couldn't even do a battery test so I ended up taking it to a Honda mechanic friend who used his battery testing gadget and it tests as being a good battery.

I have a Limited and just checked the operation of the lights around the front USB ports. First of all, yes, they are lights and yes, they should turn off after you turn the truck off and exit. There is a delay based on your setting in the Uconnect.

 

[Patsy1099]

I’m going to have to go out and check mine now!

 

[outback1972]

Here's an update... Dealers are so backed up most of them couldn't get my truck in to be looked at for another week to week and a half at the earliest. I've called 5 dealers in the area and they are all that backed up. Finally found one that could get me in on Wednesday. I went out and bought a battery charger and a jump starter pack. I charged up the battery and it shows that it is 100% charged. Went to start the truck and no go. Same issue with not enough juice to start. Threw the jump starter on and it started up just fine. Even though the battery was tested and results said it was good, I'm thinking it may be a battery issue and the test wasn't accurate? More to come.

 

[Jackham]

Sometimes this sounds more like battery "connections" rather than batteries. With such a "electric" driven vehicle I think a lot of care needs to be focused on grounding, proper wire gauge, etc. Let us hope the FCA electrical engineers get their stuff straight.

 

[RamCares]

Here's an update... Dealers are so backed up most of them couldn't get my truck in to be looked at for another week to week and a half at the earliest. I've called 5 dealers in the area and they are all that backed up. Finally found one that could get me in on Wednesday. I went out and bought a battery charger and a jump starter pack. I charged up the battery and it shows that it is 100% charged. Went to start the truck and no go. Same issue with not enough juice to start. Threw the jump starter on and it started up just fine. Even though the battery was tested and results said it was good, I'm thinking it may be a battery issue and the test wasn't accurate? More to come.

Hello outback1972,

Keep us updated on your dealer visit. If an additional layer of assistance is needed, don't hesitate to send us a private message.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[outback1972]

Final update... It ended up being a defective battery. The dealer that was able to get me in sooner than 1.5 weeks is AWESOME! They actually care about their customers and it definitely showed and has made a world of difference in my experience. The have followed up after my visit to make sure everything was working as expected. So lesson learned, find a dealer/service department that cares about their customers and isn't just a sales farm.

 

[Jackham]

Final update... It ended up being a defective battery. The dealer that was able to get me in sooner than 1.5 weeks is AWESOME! They actually care about their customers and it definitely showed and has made a world of difference in my experience. The have followed up after my visit to make sure everything was working as expected. So lesson learned, find a dealer/service department that cares about their customers and isn't just a sales farm.

Yes. Probably not stressed enough on the MSRP thread. I do negotiate but at some point I don't push any harder and start emphasizing the service side of things with the sales person letting them know I believe in make a buck share a buck but I had better get stellar service. I find this leaves everyone involved feeling they are winners. This is why I seldom go to the volume guys, and one the absolute largest is only about 250 miles from me.

 

[furrowflipper]

Same problem here, truck died at work, boosted it and drove home. 10 minutes after turning off went to leave house dead and boosted again. next morning truck dead and wouldn't boost, got towed to dealer. Dealer had truck for 4 days finding no problems after running multiple tests, charged engine battery and released back to me. 3 days later exact same thing... boosted truck and drove to dealer. After hassling service all day to get me a rental or loaner the service manager requested to replace battery and return to me. Have not had a problem since and that was a week ago. They assume the battery was a dud from the day I bought it. given the amount of computers and electronics/motors for suspension I can see a half life battery not cutting it and draining quick while not running. I do hope this was all my issue was... fingers crossed.

My Longhorn would not boost for the tow truck on 1 if it's 5 'dead battery' episodes but by the time he bounced it down to the dealer behind the truck it started right up for the service writer.

 

[furrowflipper]

Final update... It ended up being a defective battery. The dealer that was able to get me in sooner than 1.5 weeks is AWESOME! They actually care about their customers and it definitely showed and has made a world of difference in my experience. The have followed up after my visit to make sure everything was working as expected. So lesson learned, find a dealer/service department that cares about their customers and isn't just a sales farm.

They said that about mine as well but I didn't buy it then and 4 dead battery episodes later ... Still not buying it. If you never have one of those dead battery episodes again you are the luckiest guy on the planet that owns one of these POS

 

[RamCares]

My Longhorn would not boost for the tow truck on 1 if it's 5 'dead battery' episodes but by the time he bounced it down to the dealer behind the truck it started right up for the service writer.

Hi furrowflipper, Sorry to hear you are experiencing this concern, we certainly understand why this would be concerning. If you end up addressing this with your local RAM dealer again, please let us know via PM. We'd be more than happy to provide you with an additional layer of assistance for that process.
Rob
RamCares