Battery died after sitting for one week

[ramain]

I just came back from a one-week vacation, and surprisingly notice that my truck's battery is dead!

I just got it from dealer 3 weeks ago and nothing was plugged in and headlight was turned off.

Not sure if it's a common issue, and waiting for AAA to jump start to see if the dash light problem will occur https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/dead-battery-now-abs-esc-etc-lights-on.5168/.

 

[Edwards]

I just came back from a one-week vacation, and surprisingly notice that my truck's battery is dead!

I just got it from dealer 3 weeks ago and nothing was plugged in and headlight was turned off.

Not sure if it's a common issue, and waiting for AAA to jump start to see if the dash light problem will occur https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/dead-battery-now-abs-esc-etc-lights-on.5168/.

Had to leave mine for 15 days over Christmas. Was a little hesitant coming back after reading a few of these threads (IFS - internet fear syndrome) but she started up like normal.

 

[RamCares]

I just came back from a one-week vacation, and surprisingly notice that my truck's battery is dead!

I just got it from dealer 3 weeks ago and nothing was plugged in and headlight was turned off.

Not sure if it's a common issue, and waiting for AAA to jump start to see if the dash light problem will occur https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/dead-battery-now-abs-esc-etc-lights-on.5168/.

Hi ramain,
We're terribly sorry to hear about this happening to your new truck! Let us know if you need any additional assistance with this concern. We're happy to help.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[kittyjo]

Best way to find out is take it out and take it to a interstate battery center and ask them to load test it and check the cells if possible... sounds like a bad cell in battery but something cud have drained it fyi

 

[ramain]

Update:
AAA guy came but was not able to jump start my truck (he tried a battery pack and his Tacoma, but neither works).
Called dealer and suggested to call FCA roadside service to schedule a tow. The tow guy came and jumped start my truck with his battery pack.

I will order the same battery pack and visit a shop to check if the battery is OK.

Also notice that the truck came with the dead battery when I test drove it. The dealer said the battery is OK before deliver to me.
Not sure if dealer will replace the battery if the battery has a problem (I know battery is not included in warranty), but it seems to be a pre-existing problem.

 

[Jsvt3]

Update:
AAA guy came but was not able to jump start my truck (he tried a battery pack and his Tacoma, but neither works).
Called dealer and suggested to call FCA roadside service to schedule a tow. The tow guy came and jumped start my truck with his battery pack.

I will order the same battery pack and visit a shop to check if the battery is OK.

Also notice that the truck came with the dead battery when I test drove it. The dealer said the battery is OK before deliver to me.
Not sure if dealer will replace the battery if the battery has a problem (I know battery is not included in warranty), but it seems to be a pre-existing problem.

If this was something that was an issue prior to purchase and has proven to remain an issue I would expect them to change it out. What battery pack did are you going to go with?

 

[MrHankbot]

Update:
AAA guy came but was not able to jump start my truck (he tried a battery pack and his Tacoma, but neither works).
Called dealer and suggested to call FCA roadside service to schedule a tow. The tow guy came and jumped start my truck with his battery pack.

I will order the same battery pack and visit a shop to check if the battery is OK.

Also notice that the truck came with the dead battery when I test drove it. The dealer said the battery is OK before deliver to me.
Not sure if dealer will replace the battery if the battery has a problem (I know battery is not included in warranty), but it seems to be a pre-existing problem.

I'm not sure why you assume the battery wouldn't have any sort of warranty? If you bought it new at any parts store it would come with one, and I would expect the same being that it's part of a brand new truck. Even if they prorated it, as is common at a parts store, a 3 year warranty on a $200 battery and you'd only owe like $5 for your new battery.

I would stand firm and politely demand a new battery.

 

[ramain]

After reading https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/2019-ram-1500-big-horn-keeps-dying-overnight.5920, I found that the indicator lights around both front and rear usb ports keep turning on after the truck is locked!!!

I think the relative low brightness lights explain why the battery does not die overnight but for sitting one week.

Will take to the dealership and ask for a fix.

 

[Jsvt3]

After reading https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/2019-ram-1500-big-horn-keeps-dying-overnight.5920, I found that the indicator lights around both front and rear usb ports keep turning on after the truck is locked!!!

I think the relative low brightness lights explain why the battery does not die overnight but for sitting one week.

Will take to the dealership and ask for a fix.

Mine do this as well. As does my wife’s Grand Cherokee. I assume it’s meant to be this way but I don’t really know one way or the other.

 

[Edwards]

After reading https://5thgenrams.com/community/threads/2019-ram-1500-big-horn-keeps-dying-overnight.5920, I found that the indicator lights around both front and rear usb ports keep turning on after the truck is locked!!!

I think the relative low brightness lights explain why the battery does not die overnight but for sitting one week.

Will take to the dealership and ask for a fix.

Mine does that too and truck started right up after 15 days so that's not it. You either have a different source of drain or a bad battery.

 

[dad2steph]

Had to have my Rebel towed on Monday because of a dead battery. Tried to start it and every warning light and message showed up. Wrecker jumped it but still had warnings. Decided better off having them tow it. Dealership replaced the battery and told me FCA had a bunch of defective batteries and had since changed manufacturers.

 

[dad2steph]

Do u happen to know any details on your old one

Unfortunately no, my build date was July if that helps and he told me they changed manufacturers a couple months ago.

 

[dad2steph]

That build date is good info, thanks!

Everyone should have a booster, charged up, in their cars and trucks. I cant believe people dont. Portable boosters have been out a while! Theres NO reason anymore we need to ask people for jump starts and calling roadside assistance for dead batteries.

Folks... get a simple portable booster. Theyre less than 100 bucks.

What booster do you have?

 

[Longhorn5G]

I am not sure the name, I will update you on that soon. Its in the car under the backseat

 

[PJG54]

Went to start my 2019 Longhorn at noon today and couldn’t even unlock the doors. Boosted it with my wife’s Jeep and it started. However got a message saying “Service electronic stabilility control”. When I tried to drive it, it wouldn’t shift out of 1st. gear nor would it go into 4wd. Limped it over to the dealer at 20 kph. They jumped right on it and called me later in the day saying they replaced the battery and it’s ready to go. Will pick it up in the morning and see. Dealer also said that they have replaced batteries in other 2019 RAMs

 

[rceagle1a]

Went to start my 2019 Longhorn at noon today and couldn’t even unlock the doors. Boosted it with my wife’s Jeep and it started. However got a message saying “Service electronic stabilility control”. When I tried to drive it, it wouldn’t shift out of 1st. gear nor would it go into 4wd. Limped it over to the dealer at 20 kph. They jumped right on it and called me later in the day saying they replaced the battery and it’s ready to go. Will pick it up in the morning and see. Dealer also said that they have replaced batteries in other 2019 RAMs

I went out to my 2019 Ram 1500 last night and it cranked S.L.O.W and then started. But then I had a service traction system and service trailer brake system warning. I let it run for a few minutes and shut it off, then restarted, warning messages went away. I moved truck to hook to my trailer for a haul the next day. This morning I started my truck which cranked slow and warning lights were back. I figured well I'll drive to work and restart it to see if warnings go away, NOPE!!! now my truck won't shift out of 1st gear. Turned around and parked back in my driveway, Unhooked negative cable for 10 minutes then reconnected. Now I only had the service trailer brake system warning but at least my truck now shifts. I shut truck off at work and restarted it cranked as normal and I didn't see the warning. My truck sat for 2.5 weeks without being moved or touched. Also, I bought the truck new in June of 2019 and I only have 5,500 ish miles now. I'm not happy at all and am starting to regret purchasing another ram honestly. I've been a ford guy all my life and this is the second ram in a row I've had that has electrical gremlins.

 

[DanInFlorida]

I bought a new 2020 Ram 3500 Laramie diesel this past Monday. Didn't drive it on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Saturday tried to drive it and it was dead as nails. Called FC roadside and two service visits tried to jump it, including using a jump kit on both batteries, but wouldn't start. They put it on a flat bed to the nearest dealership. Now they're telling me that they can't change the batteries until they test them as defective, but to test them they need to charge them, and the batteries won't take a charge, so they can't test, and therefore can't replace them... That is mind blowing to me. I'm heading back to the service center shortly to speak with the service manager because that explanation can NOT be right. If the batteries won't hold a charge at ALL, then clearly they are defective. How hard is it to put in two working batteries to see if it cranks over?

 

[Jako]

I bought a new 2020 Ram 3500 Laramie diesel this past Monday. Didn't drive it on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Saturday tried to drive it and it was dead as nails. Called FC roadside and two service visits tried to jump it, including using a jump kit on both batteries, but wouldn't start. They put it on a flat bed to the nearest dealership. Now they're telling me that they can't change the batteries until they test them as defective, but to test them they need to charge them, and the batteries won't take a charge, so they can't test, and therefore can't replace them... That is mind blowing to me. I'm heading back to the service center shortly to speak with the service manager because that explanation can NOT be right. If the batteries won't hold a charge at ALL, then clearly they are defective. How hard is it to put in two working batteries to see if it cranks over?

Who instructs and trains these individuals? 3500 Laramie diesel = big $$$$$$$$$$$$$ and they can't do batteries? I think the higher ups in the food chain wouldn't let this happen. Someone is dropping the ball.

 

[Florida Ranger]

Looks like your Dealer is a Dumbass. Do not give up and remember BOWUP if you have to . You are the customer and it is under warranty.

 

[Cochise]

I just had a new battery put in my 2021. I have had it for just over 2 months and when it sat over a day the battery was dead. The dealership replaced it no problem.