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Push to start not working. Any ideas??

CFCSW6

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Hey everyone. I have a 2019 longhorn. Got in yesterday and pushed the start button. Nothing. No start, no ignition on, no accessories, no reaction to pushing the button.
background on me, I’m a former mercedes master tech so I checked the obvious.
Keys good. Battery good. Truck starts and runs with remote start. Push to start button lights up in general. Checked through fuse designation but not seeing any fuse/circuit failure that would cause it not to work but still illuminate. All signs point to the switch.
got a new switch from the dealer, nothing.
hoping someone here has an idea before towing to the dealer. If anyone has a wiring diagram to share I would be grateful. Not finding much online.
 
Did you check to see if there were any codes?
 
Does the truck shut off using the push to start button? If so I don’t think it’s your issue. Try pressing the push to start button with your key fob, roadside assistance told me this would allow you to start even with a dead fob.

If it were a fob issue I’d think it would display a “key fob not present” message when attempting to start.

Could be one of those awesome anti theft things dealers like to install preventing it from doing anything aswell.
 
Does the truck shut off using the push to start button? If so I don’t think it’s your issue. Try pressing the push to start button with your key fob, roadside assistance told me this would allow you to start even with a dead fob.

If it were a fob issue I’d think it would display a “key fob not present” message when attempting to start.

Could be one of those awesome anti theft things dealers like to install preventing it from doing anything aswell.
No. There is no response from the push to start button. If I start with remote start, I have to turn off with remote start (button on the key). I have both keys. They work normally lock, unlock, remote start.
Of course remote start is great but it starts the car but doesn’t turn on “accessories”. ie can’t drive the truck, put in gear etc.
 
No. There is no response from the push to start button. If I start with remote start, I have to turn off with remote start (button on the key). I have both keys. They work normally lock, unlock, remote start.
Of course remote start is great but it starts the car but doesn’t turn on “accessories”. ie can’t drive the truck, put in gear etc.
And yes. I tried the push the button with the key. This is for a dead key fob.
 
Starting with remote start would rule out any sort of check engine light/code as that is one of the checks it does in order for it to work.

When started remotely you should see the run light flashing on the push to start button, you are NOT required to push the brake to actually put the truck into run (when started remotely) so that would rule out a brake pedal switch. Definitely looking like an issue with the push to start button or it’s wiring.
 
Starting with remote start would rule out any sort of check engine light/code as that is one of the checks it does in order for it to work.

When started remotely you should see the run light flashing on the push to start button, you are NOT required to push the brake to actually put the truck into run (when started remotely) so that would rule out a brake pedal switch. Definitely looking like an issue with the push to start button or it’s wiring.
Thanks. That confirms a few things. And with trying a replacement switch I’ve ruled that out too.
I doubting but not ruling out a wiring issue. Had a quick poke around and saw nothing abnormal (water or critters )
Any info on what the push to start switch reports to? Is there an ignition module? Anyone know where that is located?
I will start tracing wiring but it’s currently raining sideways outside and I’m not climbing under the dash right now.
 
There’s so many modules and computers in these trucks I wouldn’t be surprised there’s one just for the push to start button.

I’d take a look under the panel below your steering wheel for anything that looks aftermarket or not factory installed, there has been a lot of owners reporting dealer installed anti-theft crap on newer vehicles for “inventory control” even if you pay cash. Two small screws at the bottom of the panel and then give it a good pull, there’s several clips that hold it on really well. Might even be a blown fuse for the ignition switch? These devices tend to tie into the OBD port behind that panel with an inline piggyback connection.
 
Do you happen to have a part number mine is doing the exact same thing as of this morning.
If it happens again, here is a video that is extremely informational on the issue.

 
If it happens again, here is a video that is extremely informational on the issue.

I would like to see an update to this, how his truck has been doing since he changed the starter. Our first issue with this was over the winter of 2023, we have a 2021 Ram Bighorn 2500 that is now at about 71k miles. When it happened, we replaced the starter and got 2 new batteries. Months went by without problem. But, all summer long there have been intermittent push start problems, and it’s always in the morning at first crank. We live In Mississippi, so it’s not cold in the mornings, usually 70s. Anyway, while on an 8 day vacation in July we left the truck at Dodge and each morning they went out and cranked it. It finally happened to them and they changed the relay and fixed the recalls. Less than a week later same problem, which has made our son tardy for school. It’s very frustrating! The truck is great, does everything we need it to do other than crank every time! It’s a problem that Dodge doesn’t want to acknowledge, or they can’t figure it out either! I have read comment after comment of other dodge owners having the same problem. And, all that tapping on the starter, tightening the cables, using the fob to push the start button, pushing the brake pedal harder, etc., I think it’s random that the truck starts after people have done those.. just like it’s random when it will finally start after pushing the button 3 or 30 times. We’ve done every suggestion out there from others and nothing is THE fix! I will die on that hill that dodge doesn’t know what the problem is or they would put out the fix! This is the first push button start we have owned. All those bells and whistles are useless when you are stranded!
 
I would like to see an update to this, how his truck has been doing since he changed the starter. Our first issue with this was over the winter of 2023, we have a 2021 Ram Bighorn 2500 that is now at about 71k miles. When it happened, we replaced the starter and got 2 new batteries. Months went by without problem. But, all summer long there have been intermittent push start problems, and it’s always in the morning at first crank. We live In Mississippi, so it’s not cold in the mornings, usually 70s. Anyway, while on an 8 day vacation in July we left the truck at Dodge and each morning they went out and cranked it. It finally happened to them and they changed the relay and fixed the recalls. Less than a week later same problem, which has made our son tardy for school. It’s very frustrating! The truck is great, does everything we need it to do other than crank every time! It’s a problem that Dodge doesn’t want to acknowledge, or they can’t figure it out either! I have read comment after comment of other dodge owners having the same problem. And, all that tapping on the starter, tightening the cables, using the fob to push the start button, pushing the brake pedal harder, etc., I think it’s random that the truck starts after people have done those.. just like it’s random when it will finally start after pushing the button 3 or 30 times. We’ve done every suggestion out there from others and nothing is THE fix! I will die on that hill that dodge doesn’t know what the problem is or they would put out the fix! This is the first push button start we have owned. All those bells and whistles are useless when you are stranded!
This is with nearly 100% certainty your RF hub intermittently failing. Some of them fail completely and some of them intermittently like yours. The hub is the wireless comm link from your key fob to your truck. Hopefully you have an extended warranty in force. The part itself is inexpensive and could be user replaced BUT it needs to be programmed to your keys so you can't do the one without the other. I know this because my RF hub failed, and I went through this. Although mine failed catastrophically and nothing worked and I had to have it towed to the dealer. Luckily I have a good extended warranty and it was covered 100%.
 
Just started having this on a 2019 Laramie. Both times the remote start wouldnt start the truck up. I got the lights to flash the first press, but nothing on the second. Thought maybe the battery was dead, but getting in the truck and pressing start once did fire up the dash and lights. Second press of start did nothing and any combination of opening doors, pressing start multiple times, brake pedal, no break pedal, didn't do anything. Then on some random amount of presses of the start button, it fired right up. Got home, spent 30 min searching online for answers, tried remote start again, and it worked on the first try. Battery voltage was also checked and looks normal. So I'm probably in store for more intermittent issues and random fixes down the road. I'll give the dealership a ring and see what they say.
 

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