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Frostbitte's avatar
Frostbitte
Explorer
Nov 20, 2018

Weird Electrical issue

Calling all shade tree and professional mechanics or anyone with this experience.

My trucked died on me last night...here's the story.

A week and half ago, I remote started the truck. Came out and it was off I could have sworn I started it and didn't hit the cancel button. Remote start didn't work again as the dash stated I had to manually stat. OK, no problem, maybe someone tried to jimmy the door while it was running, that's been happening a lot in my area.

A few days later, truck starts, all is well. Put it into gear and the light for parksense comes on. Dash screen tells me it's off too. I try to turn it back on. Nothing. Stays off. Hmm, just a glitch I thought.

Take my daughter to curling last night, truck all good. Parked it. Came out an hour later. Totally dead. No power, batteries totally drained. Two nice strangers helped me boost it to start it as it takes a lot of of juice to turn over a diesel.
Truck runs, on way home, pull into a strip mall so eldest daughter can get some food. I leave the truck running.
All of a sudden, while parked and idling, radio dies, park sense sensor goes on and off, backup camera flips out, dash lights going off and on, trailer brake controller going nuts. Truck sputters and dies. Not enough juice to turn it over.
Wife comes with other two kids and boosts me again. Truck runs...all the way home fine, no problems.
This morning, truck has power, probably could start. I didn't try as we all had to get to our morning destinations.

Obviously there's a short somewhere. I'm thinking either along a data line in the chassis OR one or both batteries is starting to internally short out, disrupting the entire circuit.

If it's the batteries, is there a good way to test them using a multi-meter while they're in the truck since they're both connected or should i take each one out and test them?

If it's a cable or connector that's shorting, I'm thinking water is getting in somewhere as it's been warm and wet up here this winter so far. Is there any common spots on these trucks that could be a culprit that I could start looking at?

My truck is a 2011 RAM 3500 Cummins diesel Megacab SRW.
  • Super_Dave wrote:
    I'm sure temps are dipping pretty low in your neck of the woods about now. That can push a marginal battery over the edge pretty easily.


    Actually, it's been quite warm and will continue to be for the next few days or so, (41F = 5C) which is why I was wondering about water being the culprit. I'm thinking batteries myself though too. They are about 4 years old which is the typical life span if I'm not mistaken and I'm going to take them out tonight and test them.

    I value all of your opinions though.

    Thank you!
  • I would have already replaced both batteries because for us it is a life or death story because of my wife's heart issues. As said above it is time if the batteries are 2011's. I changed our radio and both batteries were going down so during the summer I pulled fuse. Had it checked to fine what the issue was. Good luck

    chevman
  • Are the batteries original? If so you've gotten beyond typical life out of them.

    I'll join the 'replace batteries' group.
  • I'm sure temps are dipping pretty low in your neck of the woods about now. That can push a marginal battery over the edge pretty easily.
  • Toss in the new metric of 'highly integrated' computers on top of the old electrical gremlins...

    Today's computer controlled EVERYTHING automotive now required an expensive diagnostic system/tool

    It could be a corroded something that the computer thinks is worthy of shutting down the system...or an old fashioned wiring issue...or a weak fob battery

    Hope you find the culprit and it's not expensive...
  • Take battery's out and have load tested.
    Batt's can short internally. If they do so, do not jump start or force to work. You can have an exploding battery on your hands (and face, etc.).
  • Bad battery on that era truck can cause many issues, get them tested!

    If only one is bad replace BOTH!!!
  • Batteries first. Try to charge them then load test If they are original there is a very good possibility they are bad. Always replace both.
  • My firat guess is a bad battery. At idle the alternator is not able to put out enough power.