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Like tires are. There's only about two or three battery makers. I believe Johnson Controls is a big one. Likely most batteries are just re branded.
Stop/Start is not supossed to engage if battery voltage is low. You should get a warning on the cluster to that effect .
I'm 64 and can identify with you. I have a 2001 Dodge 1500 that I thought about restoring to like new condition. There are + and - to the scenario. 2001 with 8 cyl. 230 hp vs 2019 hemi 395 hp. , but the biggest factor is the ride comfort in the 2019. I have never found the comfort level driving as I do now in the 2019 Bighorn. So far 2 recalls and 2 TSBs and 10,000+ miles (and smiles) in 10 months. The technology curve can be annoying and time consuming, thank God for the 5th Gen. forum.
It's not absurd, most people just don't understand new electronic systems vs. old ones. The new electronic systems rely on steady power and the CANbus systems will not operate correctly with inadequate power. There are airbags, antilock, electric steering, transmission control computer, engine control computer... and much much more and they all compete for perfect voltage in order to work correctly. FCA is not the only manufacturer to have this issue, it's a newer vehicle system that will operate perfectly, but one of the important items is the correct voltage.
As an engineer who works for the largest marine engine OEM in the world and who has been in the marine/automotive engineering industry for over 15 years, I have an intimate understanding of, as you say, "new electronic systems" and it is due to this understanding that I have come to the conclusion that having a vehicle rendered inoperable after a jump start due to a weak battery is absolutely absurd. You are right, all the various systems/sensors/CAN networks/etc do need proper voltage; however, they all have that proper voltage when the engine is running, regardless of the state of the battery, as provided by the alternator/voltage regulator. The alternator in our trucks have an output capacity of 160 amps. If you could, which you can't, run every single system on this truck simultaneously, short of the starter, you would be nowhere close to consuming 160 amps. In other words, the alternator can support everything required to run the truck, even with a weak battery; however, must consider that the 160 amps is peak amps at an optimal RPM. If the available amps at lower RPMS were to drop below amp demands, system strategies can be created to focus on powering essential systems or recharging the battery quickly by limiting the A/C, blower speeds, and other power sucking non essential devices. Raising the idle RPM in times of need also has a large effect on available amps. In short, if my battery runs low and I need a jump, show me a warning saying my ABS in unavailable, significantly raise the idle RPM for extra available amps, turn off my AC, etc, but let me drive.
As an engineer who works for the largest marine engine OEM in the world and who has been in the marine/automotive engineering industry for over 15 years, I have an intimate understanding of, as you say, "new electronic systems" and it is due to this understanding that I have come to the conclusion that having a vehicle rendered inoperable after a jump start due to a weak battery is absolutely absurd. You are right, all the various systems/sensors/CAN networks/etc do need proper voltage; however, they all have that proper voltage when the engine is running, regardless of the state of the battery, as provided by the alternator/voltage regulator. The alternator in our trucks have an output capacity of 160 amps. If you could, which you can't, run every single system on this truck simultaneously, short of the starter, you would be nowhere close to consuming 160 amps. In other words, the alternator can support everything required to run the truck, even with a weak battery; however, must consider that the 160 amps is peak amps at an optimal RPM. If the available amps at lower RPMS were to drop below amp demands, system strategies can be created to focus on powering essential systems or recharging the battery quickly by limiting the A/C, blower speeds, and other power sucking non essential devices. Raising the idle RPM in times of need also has a large effect on available amps. In short, if my battery runs low and I need a jump, show me a warning saying my ABS in unavailable, significantly raise the idle RPM for extra available amps, turn off my AC, etc, but let me drive.
Edit: Thinking through this some more. The single outlier that could potentially warrant limiting a vehicle's operation would be related to proper electronic power steering response. Some EPS systems can draw very large amounts of current and could feasibly depend on a strong battery as a reserve during events where EPS amperage spikes briefly beyond the available amps. If a battery is dead, the EPS system may not be able to give full authority in all situations. For liability reasons, the decision may have been made to render the truck inoperable until sufficient battery reserve has been obtained for full EPS response. IF that is the case, with the truck running after being jumped, the RPM should be raised to up the charging amps, all non-essential systems should be turned off except for possibly HVAC depending on ambient conditions and there should be a message screen that shows me how much time remaining until sufficient charge has been obtained and vehicle operation can be resumed. Just a theory.
Disclaimer: My opinion may be worth what you paid for it.
I have no idea unfortunately. It would all depend on the state of the battery, the rate of charge, and what variables/requirements FCA engineers use to initiate/terminate their "Weak Battery" strategy.
No idea, best guess is that it was on the dealer lot for 6 months before it sold, and then I was out of town for a week right after I took it home. Dealer probably had a quick charge on it and then it sat too long.
5thgenrams.com
