My First Truck!

[AndreiV]

I have never owned a truck before. That was my dream! We have two family commuters: Mazda SUV and BMW sedan, and our commute is 12 miles round trip, lol. Anyway, it was time for an all new family weekend fun ride. I have looked for RAM trucks for a year, glad i waited. Mid September registered on forum to get better understanding on the price i should pay. And Thanks to all for helpful tips on price paid vs. MSRP! On 29th September after one week of online negotiations i went to pick up my dream ride: Delmonico Red Laramie Crew Cab 4x4, stock options, except upgraded 20" wheels, 3.92 rear end, V8 Hemi, and rubber floor mats. Got it for 11K off MSRP, straight buy no trade in, and I own it (paid off). Love it! My wife Loves it! What an amazing ride!
In the month and half i owned it I have installed: OEM wheel to wheel running boards (personally look much better than any other off the market boards with my color and trim), truxido soft top cover, and LED taigate LED strip.

 

[devildodge]

Welcome. Sounds like you did your research and were prepared to make the purchase.

Hope it treats you well.

Thanks for joining us

 

[Grunkster]

Congrats!! I have been trackless for 10 years or so and just picked up a granite metallic laramie myself. What a truck!!

 

[AndreiV]

Thanks, so far truck is very good with one exception, It seems to have randomly flickering headlights (LED). Could not find any thread on how to fix it yet. Sometimes they flicker at night ones every 20-30 seconds for a fraction of a second and sometimes they don't. I have several local dealers but the one I bought my truck is 120 miles away.
Hope,to figure it out myself before going around dealers. Any help would be appreciated. They only flicker during driving and battery voltage seems jump up and down by 0.1V during a flick. After driving from a cold start for 15 miles, and restarting the engine, issue goes away until next cold start.

 

[Gman]

Did you get a package with the Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control? Are the high beams active? They were when I picked up my new truck. I could tell when the turn signals were further away from my hand than usual. Maybe try pulling toward you with the turn signal stalk to see if it releases to the normal lighting position? (Not the 'flash to pass' temporary high beam activation)

 

[AndreiV]

Did you get a package with the Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control? Are the high beams active? They were when I picked up my new truck. I could tell when the turn signals were further away from my hand than usual. Maybe try pulling toward you with the turn signal stalk to see if it releases to the normal lighting position? (Not the 'flash to pass' temporary high beam activation)

All I could find in the sticker discription is "LED Automatic Reflector Headlamps". My turn signal lever is in the neutral position, and when headlight flicks, there is no high beam indication, and high beams would be much brighter, so it is regular headlight beam flicks.

 

[RamCares]

Thanks, so far truck is very good with one exception, It seems to have randomly flickering headlights (LED). Could not find any thread on how to fix it yet. Sometimes they flicker at night ones every 20-30 seconds for a fraction of a second and sometimes they don't. I have several local dealers but the one I bought my truck is 120 miles away.
Hope,to figure it out myself before going around dealers. Any help would be appreciated. They only flicker during driving and battery voltage seems jump up and down by 0.1V during a flick. After driving from a cold start for 15 miles, and restarting the engine, issue goes away until next cold start.

Hi AndreiV,
We're so glad that you're enjoying your new truck! We understand why you would like to refrain from driving 120 miles to your dealer. If you decide that you would like to have a dealer look into this, you may also send us a private message if you would like any extra assistance while your truck is at the dealer.
Lydia
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[syddog 2000]

I'm sure you will get the led headlight gremlin worked out, I think you were wise to wait out the initial urge as they have been able to work out some of the bugs that plaged the earlier builds. Good luck and happy motoring

 

[AndreiV]

Today remote start did not work on the cold start. I was reading posts for 4th generation trucks having headlight flickering issue and possibility of battery-alternator combo being a culprit. Planning tomorrow to test battery and alternator at local autoparts store before heading to dealer after holidays.
Question: what is your normal battery voltage in ACC, when idling, and while driving.
My dash cluster battery readings:
12.4V in ACC
13.7/13.8V idling
13.8V driving

 

[AndreiV]

 

[AndreiV]

 

[Gman]

Does this happen only when you're turning?

 

[AndreiV]

No, happens randomly on the straight line and while turning.waa

Doors this happen only when you're turning?

No, happens randomly on the straight line and while turning.

 

[2019REBEL]

Today remote start did not work on the cold start. I was reading posts for 4th generation trucks having headlight flickering issue and possibility of battery-alternator combo being a culprit. Planning tomorrow to test battery and alternator at local autoparts store before heading to dealer after holidays.
Question: what is your normal battery voltage in ACC, when idling, and while driving.
My dash cluster battery readings:
12.4V in ACC
13.7/13.8V idling
13.8V driving

Your driving voltage is a little low should be around 14.5

 

[AndreiV]

I though so too, but it is with headlight On. With out headlights it reads 14.2/14.3. Tested battery and alternator at Autozone, all good. Spoke to local dealer - they have not seen issue like this and said they will have to troubleshoot and I will have to bring truck in. Before I do that in the future, as last resort, and i think they would go for headlight replacement due to defective LED which most likely not readily available yet, I will check myself headlight wiring connections and headlight switch.

 

[HarleyDavidson]

Mine did the same thing when I picked mine up. There was a loose ground. It took the dealer two days. Mine flashed every 8 seconds.

 

[AndreiV]

Mine did the same thing when I picked mine up. There was a loose ground. It took the dealer two days. Mine flashed every 8 seconds.

Do you happened to know where exactly it was loose? I l already disconnected and reconnected battery terminals, checked fuses, and terminals on the main fuse board.

 

[AndreiV]

Mine did the same thing when I picked mine up. There was a loose ground. It took the dealer two days. Mine flashed every 8 seconds.

I found very loose ground connection on the drivers side right by the headlight, almost feels that someone loosened it on purpose as others were all tight. Picture below, hope this will fix my headlight flickering, will update my findings

 

[AndreiV]

Loose ground

 

[Patriotmobiledetail]

Congrats!! I have been trackless for 10 years or so and just picked up a granite metallic laramie myself. What a truck!!

Another granite guy.
What a color...in the sun you can see the metallic.

Good taste

To the original poster.....welcome to your first truck from another first truck guy.