Solved: Dead Battery, instrument panel light stays on all night

[jmoor126]

I have a 2019 Ram crew cab Laramie 4x4 that the instrument screen will not turn off.

Two mornings ago I wake up to a dead battery. I convinced myself I must have accidently left it on the acc/on positon and jump the truck and it starts right up. Only issue was my check engine light stayed on for a drive cycle, and the red security light stayed lite for the same time. I ran the truck for a few hours and everything seemed fine. Later that night after locking the door, I looked out at my truck and the Press brake and push button to start screen was on! So I did what anyone would do and play with every button, turning stuff on and off experimenting...unfortunately nothing worked. In order to not have a dead battery, I unhooked my battery for the night and took it first thing to the dealership this morning. When I got to the dealership, I was able to replicate the problem in front of the service manager, thankfully. So now I am in limbo waiting to see if there is a fix. I did manage to create a video and took pictures to document this.

Has anyone else had this problem? I have 2443 miles on the truck and came over from a 200k Tundra with 0 issues. I love the looks of my Ram, love the gas mileage of the Laramie 4x4 3.6, but am starting to regret my decision.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? Thoughts?

 

[Laramie81]

I haven’t had this problem, but it’s likely just a software issue. Might need an update or reset. I wouldn’t regret your truck over it.

 

[RamCares]

I have a 2019 Ram crew cab Laramie 4x4 that the instrument screen will not turn off.

Two mornings ago I wake up to a dead battery. I convinced myself I must have accidently left it on the acc/on positon and jump the truck and it starts right up. Only issue was my check engine light stayed on for a drive cycle, and the red security light stayed lite for the same time. I ran the truck for a few hours and everything seemed fine. Later that night after locking the door, I looked out at my truck and the Press brake and push button to start screen was on! So I did what anyone would do and play with every button, turning stuff on and off experimenting...unfortunately nothing worked. In order to not have a dead battery, I unhooked my battery for the night and took it first thing to the dealership this morning. When I got to the dealership, I was able to replicate the problem in front of the service manager, thankfully. So now I am in limbo waiting to see if there is a fix. I did manage to create a video and took pictures to document this.

Has anyone else had this problem? I have 2443 miles on the truck and came over from a 200k Tundra with 0 issues. I love the looks of my Ram, love the gas mileage of the Laramie 4x4 3.6, but am starting to regret my decision.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? Thoughts?

Hi jmoor126,

We recognize how frustrating this may be, and we're here to provide an additional layer of assistance while your vehicle is in service. Feel free to shoot us a quick PM if you would like to discuss further.

Steph
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Scooter01]

I had this same issue with my truck, the dealer ended up re flashing the computer and then kept the truck over night.
So far I have not had this issue again. This was about 6-7 weeks ago.
I have had this truck since September of last year, its weird that the push to start light some how decided just to stay on and it did kill my battery as well.
Good Luck

 

[jmoor126]

I had this same issue with my truck, the dealer ended up re flashing the computer and then kept the truck over night.
So far I have not had this issue again. This was about 6-7 weeks ago.
I have had this truck since September of last year, its weird that the push to start light some how decided just to stay on and it did kill my battery as well.
Good Luck

Scooter, thank you for the reply. My truck has been in the shop since Monday and I will call the service advisor to see if they have tried this yet. Do you mind sharing the dealership or service advisor that helped you with it? This may help the dealership my truck is at with resolving the issue. My dealership has been in touch with the engineers, but still don't have a solution.

 

[RAM309702]

Thanks for info, I have a Feb 2019 build with this issue. Going to dealer on Monday.

Another thing I noticed, if doors are locked and someone walks up to truck and grabs handle but doesn’t have the key, the ram screen actually turns on briefly. Seems like a security issue to me, not that anything bad could happen, but don’t like the thought that someone with zero access can make the screen turn on.

 

[jmoor126]

Thanks for info, I have a Feb 2019 build with this issue. Going to dealer on Monday.

Another thing I noticed, if doors are locked and someone walks up to truck and grabs handle but doesn’t have the key, the ram screen actually turns on briefly. Seems like a security issue to me, not that anything bad could happen, but don’t like the thought that someone with zero access can make the screen turn on.

I will look for that if they ever get my truck back to me. Thankfully the service manager at the dealership is a good guy and is doing what he can to get it fixed for me.

We are on Day 5 in the shop, with no resolution. They are working with engineers from FCA but still cannot find the source of the problem.

 

[HeliPilot]

Not for nothing, but is your spare key stored inside the vehicle somewhere. That particular screen lights up in my truck when my fob is inside the truck.

 

[jmoor126]

Not for nothing, but is your spare key stored inside the vehicle somewhere. That particular screen lights up in my truck when my fob is inside the truck.

Thank you for the reply, I keep my spare key in my safe. I wonder if the truck is thinking a key fob is nearby? I tried to start the truck without the key in my pocket just to see if it would start and it would not.

 

[South Texas Aggie]

I finally determined the cause on my truck. I usually deploy the side steps when I come home at the end of the day in the following sequence: put the truck in park, deploy side steps using the Uconnect icon, then turn the ignition off. No problem UNLESS my wife is with me. Then the sequence is: put the truck in park, SHE OPENS HER DOOR, deploy side steps using the Uconnect icon, then turn the ignition off. Every time that happens, “Press Brake and Push Button to Start” displays and the 12” Uconnect is blank but lit and will not go out until I start the truck and put it in gear. Since I stopped deploying the side steps manually, I haven’t had a problem. I plan to get the dealer to look at when I go in for my next oil change.

 

[DaMythDaLegend]

I finally determined the cause on my truck. I usually deploy the side steps when I come home at the end of the day in the following sequence: put the truck in park, deploy side steps using the Uconnect icon, then turn the ignition off. No problem UNLESS my wife is with me. Then the sequence is: put the truck in park, SHE OPENS HER DOOR, deploy side steps using the Uconnect icon, then turn the ignition off. Every time that happens, “Press Brake and Push Button to Start” displays and the 12” Uconnect is blank but lit and will not go out until I start the truck and put it in gear. Since I stopped deploying the side steps manually, I haven’t had a problem. I plan to get the dealer to look at when I go in for my next oil change.

Why do you deploy them manually?

 

[South Texas Aggie]

Why do you deploy them manually?

I’m in and out of the truck taking things out and loading stuff for the next day, and I don’t like the running boards going up and down. Putting them down manually seems like it would save a lot of wear and tear.

 

[securityguy]

@South Texas Aggie ...I would just activate the automatic setting and not worry about wear and tear. That is why you have a warranty What you are doing is just ridiculous IMPO but do what makes you happy!

 

[South Texas Aggie]

@South Texas Aggie ...I would just activate the automatic setting and not worry about wear and tear. That is why you have a warranty What you are doing is just ridiculous IMPO but do what makes you happy!

I was just trying to help out the guys whose batteries are running down. I wasn’t asking for an evaluation of what I choose to do with my truck.

 

[securityguy]

Well then EXCUSE ME! What you posted is a bandaid and not a true fix. If this is happening, it needs to go to the dealer for evaluation.

 

[jmoor126]

I was just trying to help out the guys whose batteries are running down. I wasn’t asking for an evaluation of what I choose to do with my truck.

I appreciate your help, unfortunately I do not have the electric steps so this couldn't be the case on my truck.

 

[jmoor126]

Day 8 in the shop with no truck. I got a call yesterday stating they think it is the radio frequency hub? which will be in on Thursday (hopefully). I will update if that is the source of the problem so that any others with a similar issue know how to fix it.

 

[PJG54]

I finally determined the cause on my truck. I usually deploy the side steps when I come home at the end of the day in the following sequence: put the truck in park, deploy side steps using the Uconnect icon, then turn the ignition off. No problem UNLESS my wife is with me. Then the sequence is: put the truck in park, SHE OPENS HER DOOR, deploy side steps using the Uconnect icon, then turn the ignition off. Every time that happens, “Press Brake and Push Button to Start” displays and the 12” Uconnect is blank but lit and will not go out until I start the truck and put it in gear. Since I stopped deploying the side steps manually, I haven’t had a problem. I plan to get the dealer to look at when I go in for my next oil change.

I can get the same thing to happen in my Longhorn but in my case the screens will stay on if I open the drivers side door before I deploy the side steps. Haven't tried it with the passenger side. Did this yesterday as I had a bunch of stuff to get out of the back seat. Happened to look in the truck an hour later and both the screens were on as you describe above. Sounds like a bug in one of the control systems.

 

[MidnightRonin]

This same exact thing happened to me at 2500k miles. Except I also had in addition to the push to start message not turning off, every single light in the instrument cluster turning on and off randomly, headlights and wipers turned on and off randomly. Every morning after taking it in , the battery would be dead. Ended up replacing the Body Control Module with a flash. So far I’m at 6k miles with no issues! Hope this helps sir.

 

[jmoor126]

Just an update, I just picked up my truck this morning and the instrument gauge goes off after 5 minutes or so. They had to replace my radio frequency hub under warranty just in case someone else has this problem in the future.