Issues after jump start

[Nowatruckguy]

Got my truck a fee weeks ago, love it mostly. But has anyone had issues similar to mine?

Battery dead, so I jump started it. After jump a few warnings are on( e stability control/trailer control) AND my truck won't shift out of first gear.

I let it sit for 30 mins and restarted it (no jump needed) and the same sensors warnings came on and it still won't shift out of 1st gear. Trying to figure out how to get it to the dealer.
Thank you for any help!

 

[Yelzelity]

If you charge the battery up to 100%, it will shift out of 1st. I know first hand.

 

[Nowatruckguy]

If you charge the battery up to 100%, it will shift out of 1st. I know first hand.

Thank you, how do you fo about that?

 

[Yelzelity]

Put a battery charger on it, once it gets enough voltage the truck will work properly.
You still need someone to clear the codes though.

 

[heydre]

That's odd...jumping the truck but it won't shift out of first after starting it makes no sense. since no one is going to wait for the battery to "top off" or get anywhere near 100%...what am I missing?

 

[Nowatruckguy]

So I went out and bought a charger for $65 and charged it for about 6 hours. When I started the batter was under 20%. I charged it until the Amps decreased from around 16-17 to 5-6 and it was showing around 87.5%. Truck started up, no issues shifting, no warning lights on. I'm going to check with the charger in the morning to see if the battery held the charge. Thanks Yelz

 

[RamCares]

So I went out and bought a charger for $65 and charged it for about 6 hours. When I started the batter was under 20%. I charged it until the Amps decreased from around 16-17 to 5-6 and it was showing around 87.5%. Truck started up, no issues shifting, no warning lights on. I'm going to check with the charger in the morning to see if the battery held the charge. Thanks Yelz

Hi Nowatruckguy,

Sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing with your truck. If you end up having to address this with your local Ram dealer, please feel free to send us a private message. We'd be happy to have your concerns documented and connect you with a case specialist for an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[TWRam]

Am I hearing that these trucks will not operate with a weak battery or after inadvertently running the battery low? If so, that is a HUGE oversight by FCA engineers! If you have a dead battery, you can't just jump start it and drive away like any other vehicle ever made??? I know that all vehicles have their quirks and personalities, but this is just absurd.

 

[Billy James]

Am I hearing that these trucks will not operate with a weak battery or after inadvertently running the battery low? If so, that is a HUGE oversight by FCA engineers! If you have a dead battery, you can't just jump start it and drive away like any other vehicle ever made??? I know that all vehicles have their quirks and personalities, but this is just absurd.

That really isn't anything new. I had a 1996 Dodge Dakota that threw CELs and wouldn't run right when the battery died. I jumped it and expected it to run right and it just sputtered and backfired. In that case, the battery would not recharge and I replaced it. Point being though, that even over 20 years ago, a bad or low battery would cause anything electrically controlled to go haywire.

 

[Trones]

Maybe it has something to do with software from other FCA vehicles. Say, if your car had auto start\stop, you wouldn't want to jump the car, drive 2 blocks just to have it turn off at a stop light stranding you in the middle of the road. But, this should be configurable per vehicle and not a blanket setting.

 

[troutspinner]

Am I hearing that these trucks will not operate with a weak battery or after inadvertently running the battery low? If so, that is a HUGE oversight by FCA engineers! If you have a dead battery, you can't just jump start it and drive away like any other vehicle ever made??? I know that all vehicles have their quirks and personalities, but this is just absurd.

My 96 Ram did this....or Dodge should I say. Left me a little frustrated once.

One thing I'll say about Rams, they're good trucks but they have their nuances when it comes to design, both good and odd.

 

[jdefoe0424]

All newer vehicles have random issues/codes/lights when their batteries discharge, are dieing or are very weak.
Just go for a long drive or charge it back up and it'll be good.

My previous vehicle did not like the -30F start it did at my parents house last winter, it had all kinds of lights and codes but all went away after driving and the battery charged and everything was back to normal. Granted that battery was 6 years old and that car did start-stop half it's life to that point.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

 

[Brad460]

Hi Nowatruckguy,

Sorry to hear of the trouble you are experiencing with your truck. If you end up having to address this with your local Ram dealer, please feel free to send us a private message. We'd be happy to have your concerns documented and connect you with a case specialist for an additional layer of assistance as you work with your dealer.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

1,159 messages...insert users name...insert users name...insert users name...insert users name....copy paste message...copy paste message.

Mark- How about bring some technical answers to the damn conversation?! LOL.

 

[Rob5589]

1,159 messages...insert users name...insert users name...insert users name...insert users name....copy paste message...copy paste message.

Mark- How about bring some technical answers to the damn conversation?! LOL.

I believe Ram Cares helps facilitate repairs/complaints, not to provide technical/repair advice.

 

[RamCares]

1,159 messages...insert users name...insert users name...insert users name...insert users name....copy paste message...copy paste message.

Mark- How about bring some technical answers to the damn conversation?! LOL.

Hi Brad460,

I apologize, as our team here on the forum is not mechanically trained. With this in mind, we are unable to speculate regarding vehicle concerns and we rely on our dealers to be our eyes and ears in the field. As Ram Social Care Specialists, we are a part of the Customer Care Team and we work in tandem with our dealerships and internal teams to assist you with your concerns.

Please know that if you are ever experiencing a concern with your truck and you'd like an additional layer of assistance while you work with your dealer, we'd be more than happy to help.

Mark
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[TWRam]

All newer vehicles have random issues/codes/lights when their batteries discharge, are dieing or are very weak.
Just go for a long drive or charge it back up and it'll be good.

My previous vehicle did not like the -30F start it did at my parents house last winter, it had all kinds of lights and codes but all went away after driving and the battery charged and everything was back to normal. Granted that battery was 6 years old and that car did start-stop half it's life to that point.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

That is my exact complaint! You cannot jump start the truck and then drive anywhere. You get all sorts of errors and the truck wont shift so you are stuck. So if you leave your interior light on overnight and your battery dies, then what, cant go to work in the morning? Have to get a tow truck to tow your car to the dealer? Have to catch a cab to the parts store to get a battery charger and then wait half a day for a full charge before you can use your truck again? Hey, at least you dont have to carry jumper cables in your truck, because they are worthless! I am not the type to get worked up, but I am just shocked by this. Having a battery go dead happens for many different reasons at many different times, sometimes in very inconvenient locations. With any other vehicle, if you find yourself in this predicament, you can get a jump from someone, or at worst, wait for roadside assistance to come give you a jump. I take comfort in knowing that I will not be stranded if the battery goes dead. I am frustrated that I am now in a vehicle that will leave me stranded who knows where the next time a battery goes dead. The truck should be able to run off it's own power once jump started, period. Anyway, I'll stop ranting now. I wonder how long the engine has to run at idle before the ECU determines that the battery is sufficiently charged to begin normal operation.... Hope I never find out.

 

[Rob5589]

That is my exact complaint! You cannot jump start the truck and then drive anywhere. You get all sorts of errors and the truck wont shift so you are stuck. So if you leave your interior light on overnight and your battery dies, then what, cant go to work in the morning? Have to get a tow truck to tow your car to the dealer? Have to catch a cab to the parts store to get a battery charger and then wait half a day for a full charge before you can use your truck again? Hey, at least you don't have to carry jumper cables in your truck, because they are worthless! I am not the type to get worked up, but I am just shocked by this. Having a battery go dead happens for many different reasons at many different times, sometimes in very inconvenient locations. With any other vehicle, if you find yourself in this predicament, you can get a jump from someone, or at worst, wait for roadside assistance to come give you a jump. I take comfort in knowing that I will not be stranded if the battery goes dead. I am frustrated that I am now in a vehicle that will leave me stranded who knows where the next time a battery goes dead. The truck should be able to run off it's own power once jump started, period. Anyway, I'll stop ranting now. I wonder how long the engine has to run at idle before the ECU determines that the battery is sufficiently charged to begin normal operation.... Hope I never find out.

Many vehicles have been this way for many years now. Welcome to computer controlled everything. You shouldn't have to worry about leaving dome lights, headlights, etc on since they will shut down after a short time after the vehicle is off. Those features weren't designed as "conveniences" but as "back-ups" to keep the battery from doing exactly what you fear. Your best practice should be, as soon as you sense a weak start, replace the battery immediately. Newer vehicles aren't like "back in the day" when you could jump/bump start it until you get a new battery in there.

 

[bravo1]

So one must realized that this software for body control modules,and PCM voltage tolerance's must be understood here.Battery jump starts must be followed to the letter in the owners manual.Each terminal connection must be very sure connection hook up in a certain sequence. And tight as well and the battery you jump from can not fall below a certain level or no jump my happen...If any module involving current flow and amp also tolerance level if not within electrical tolerance +/- will result in a host of issue's.CDJR Tech's if they have the time could explain this better.But if you do not hook up just right and unhook just right you will get a host of faults design to protect all circuits involved in amp current passing around the various systems on board.The battery itself has a control module to protect it as well, if the battery you jump from is not with in a certain voltage/amperage level it will attempt to block the jump as well.One only needs to look at 5th gen engine bay schematic to just see the tight control of the level of ampere tolerance's allowed and not allow.You should take your truck in so that a CDJR tech to insure you did not damage or trip a wide variety of faults, to include disabling the transmission control module, lay odds here the voltage coming in to it was not up to the design specs hence no shift.You should also ask your self why the dead battery on your truck and also have the CDJR Tech take a look at it as well plus all circuit/fuse connection as well.

 

[Nowatruckguy]

So yes, after I charged my battery completely all is well, no issues at all. But it is veey scary to think if I evee need a jump I'll be screwed and basically need a tow. Is there any solution for this @RamCares? Or essentially us a tow the only option if your battery dies?

 

[Jako]

Many vehicles have been this way for many years now. Welcome to computer controlled everything. You shouldn't have to worry about leaving dome lights, headlights, etc on since they will shut down after a short time after the vehicle is off. Those features weren't designed as "conveniences" but as "back-ups" to keep the battery from doing exactly what you fear. Your best practice should be, as soon as you sense a weak start, replace the battery immediately. Newer vehicles aren't like "back in the day" when you could jump/bump start it until you get a new battery in there.

One of the mechanics I used relayed the same information as you. He is of the opinion to replace at three years. My 2001 Dodge 1500 has a battery from Sears dated 5-13 and has started to fail - no complaints. I used to buy the best battery and things seemed to work well. Doesn't appear to work that way today. 2006 Honda Accord with an Auto Zone battery died twice within the warranty period so it was prorated and received a discount. I will not buy it again - prorated or not. Happened to my father's Interstate battery also which is supposed to be a better brand.