Parasitic Draw

[Trooper91]

First issue with my ’25 Laramie. Truck was perfectly fine up until 3 days ago and it was completely dead the following morning. The key fob would respond, but none of the doors would unlock. Had to get it towed to the service center.

Nothing was left on when I parked it and no lights were flickering or acting strange the day prior.

Since then service department confirmed there is a parasitic draw. They have ordered a replacement module (pending approval), and a designated technician will be assigned to complete the repair.

Service department did 6 different flashes in combination with software updates. Unfortunately that did not resolve the issue.

Sharing, not sure if someone has gone through something similar

 

[rylock21]

First issue with my ’25 Laramie. Truck was perfectly fine up until 3 days ago and it was completely dead the following morning. The key fob would respond, but none of the doors would unlock. Had to get it towed to the service center.

Nothing was left on when I parked it and no lights were flickering or acting strange the day prior.

Since then service department confirmed there is a parasitic draw. They have ordered a replacement module (pending approval), and a designated technician will be assigned to complete the repair.

Service department did 6 different flashes in combination with software updates. Unfortunately that did not resolve the issue.

Sharing, not sure if someone has gone through something similar

What ended up being the issue?

 

[Ramintime]

I'm curious too.
My buddies 2023 Laramie had a parasitic draw and it ended up being something with the module for the air suspension..

 

[Ram1500OwnerMaybe]

With all these type of electrical issues and dead batteries, I am a bit surprised none have been experienced on the dealership lot.
Would expect to hear more stories of :
"Went to the dealership to test drive and they had to jump the truck."
Or something related to other electrical issues.
Could there be a setting or option that maybe is turned on which is leading to these issues?

 

[Rebellion is Duty]

Before I drove mine, they dropped a battery in it. I think they know about the issues.

 

[Tyee]

When I was shopping for a new truck last November, I went to the largest Ram dealer in the area. Not only did they have 50 to 100 on their main lot, they had another couple of hundred in a storage lot. We went to the storage lot, every single truck that I looked at had to be jumped in order to start. Even the one I looked at on the main lot had to be jumped. I don't know if would make a difference but the trucks that I looked were all higher end models.

 

[RamCares]

First issue with my ’25 Laramie. Truck was perfectly fine up until 3 days ago and it was completely dead the following morning. The key fob would respond, but none of the doors would unlock. Had to get it towed to the service center.

Nothing was left on when I parked it and no lights were flickering or acting strange the day prior.

Since then service department confirmed there is a parasitic draw. They have ordered a replacement module (pending approval), and a designated technician will be assigned to complete the repair.

Service department did 6 different flashes in combination with software updates. Unfortunately that did not resolve the issue.

Sharing, not sure if someone has gone through something similar

Hi there, we're sorry to hear of your experience. If you would like an extra layer of support alongside the dealer, feel free to send our team a private message.

Diamond
Ram Cares

 

[70runner]

Based on experience with 21 Rebel and now 25 Rebel, believe excess parasitic draw is much more common than believed. 21 had fluctuating parasitic draw, from spec (~30mA) to as high as 200mA. Killed 1 battery before I put truck on trickle charger. Dealer couldn't find cause. 25 has draw at about 50mA, also on trickle charger. Several dozen electronic modules in these trucks, some of which don't sleep soundly can cause parasitic draw.

 

[tinfoil_hat]

With all these type of electrical issues and dead batteries, I am a bit surprised none have been experienced on the dealership lot.
Would expect to hear more stories of :
"Went to the dealership to test drive and they had to jump the truck."
Or something related to other electrical issues.
Could there be a setting or option that maybe is turned on which is leading to these issues?

As a matter of fact....
As I was getting into my truck to test drive it, the salesman mentioned they had one other truck just like it but they had to jump it every time they moved it.

 

[Cbty2050]

Based on experience with 21 Rebel and now 25 Rebel, believe excess parasitic draw is much more common than believed. 21 had fluctuating parasitic draw, from spec (~30mA) to as high as 200mA. Killed 1 battery before I put truck on trickle charger. Dealer couldn't find cause. 25 has draw at about 50mA, also on trickle charger. Several dozen electronic modules in these trucks, some of which don't sleep soundly can cause parasitic draw.

I would say 50mA is acceptable draw/non issue.

 

[Trooper91]

Dealer Diagnosis:

• Parasitic draw detected
• Issue traced back to a module (suspected DTCM / control module not going to sleep properly)
• Software flash and/or module replacement performed

Truck was kept at dealer for diagnosis and repair. Currently monitoring to confirm the issue is fully resolved. A special tech had to repair the issue. Truck was at dealership for 2 weeks!

 

[c3k]

Thanks.

For a different vehicle with a parasitic draw, I just purchased a TopDon 002c thermal imager. My plan is to open the hood, let it sit (so things can go back to sleep), then look around for a warm relay/module. I saw it work on a youtube video.

 

[tinfoil_hat]

Dealer Diagnosis:

• Parasitic draw detected
• Issue traced back to a module (suspected DTCM / control module not going to sleep properly)
• Software flash and/or module replacement performed

Truck was kept at dealer for diagnosis and repair. Currently monitoring to confirm the issue is fully resolved. A special tech had to repair the issue. Truck was at dealership for 2 weeks!

There it is, the DTCM. The motor sound many of us hear when opening the doors or tailgate.