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OEM Battery Life?

I got just over 2 years out of the OEM batteries in my truck. One of them cracked and dumped all of the acid out of it. Got 2 new AGMs to replace them. I checked mine the other day and the truck voltage meter showed 12.1 V and my VOM showed 12.6 V.
 
I agree the OEM Batteries are horrible!! I replaced my third battery with a AGM battery from Walmart hoping to remove the OEM battery from the scenario. But still it seems the battery drains overnight. The battery shows charging while driving, but if it sets overnight the battery gauge looks like this in the morning. Is this normal? Or is something draining my battery overnight? Did I get another bad battery off the shelf?View attachment 91989
You need to diagnose for excessive drain with the ignition shut off for at least a half hour. With all the modules, there is the possibility one or more are not shutting down. There are plenty of YouTube videos on how to do this.
 
Well, I gambled and didnt replace the 2.5 year old OEM batteries back in Aug/Sept when I started this thread. Last week, the temps here in Texas dropped into the thirties and the truck was DOA. Picked up a pair of Interstate AGMs from Costco for less than $400. Hopefully they last more than 3 years so I dont get screwed by the pro rated warranty.
 
Just replaced the OEM battery with a costco interstate H7 in my 2019. It was due and I'd rather be proactive. I then had this video pop up on my feed the next day (of course). I'll be trying this on the stock old battery when I have some free time.

 
You need to diagnose for excessive drain with the ignition shut off for at least a half hour. With all the modules, there is the possibility one or more are not shutting down. There are plenty of YouTube videos on how to do this.
Thank You! Haven't yet begun the process, but have watched several videos regarding the subject. Seems to be straight forward as long as you can find and read schematics. Finding a draw in a 40A Fuse under the hood leads to several possible fuses at the fuse box normally located under the dash or in an interior compartment that could be the culprit. Hopefully it's possible to find online schematics that identify which components the 40A Fuse relays power to.
 
Just replaced the OEM battery with a costco interstate H7 in my 2019. It was due and I'd rather be proactive. I then had this video pop up on my feed the next day (of course). I'll be trying this on the stock old battery when I have some free time.

Curious if it actually works. Update the post once you complete the project. Thanks
 
I just had to replace mine on my 2022 2500. 3 years and 3 months since date of manufacture. I’ve had it 2 years and 4 months bought new. They worked fine until they didn’t. In a remote camping spot and actually cranked for me to hook up to the trailer. Cut it off to finish hooking up and then nothing. Fellow camper jumped it off and I drove straight to the nearest Walmart. Cut it off again and nothing. Put 2 new Walmart AGMs in while in the parking lot. Now have a P2509 code but no CEL. I don’t know if it will clear on its own or I’ll have to do it.
Whats the P2509 code and what is meant by CEL?
 
RAM put a second set of batteries in my '22 with 26k. They have no idea why the truck keeps going dead.
The dealer probably doesn't want to spend the time looking for a parasite drain in the electrical system given its time consuming. They will wait until the warranty expires so they can charge the customer for a $150 diagnose fee, several hours of research work as well as cost for parts.
 
Thank You! Haven't yet begun the process, but have watched several videos regarding the subject. Seems to be straight forward as long as you can find and read schematics. Finding a draw in a 40A Fuse under the hood leads to several possible fuses at the fuse box normally located under the dash or in an interior compartment that could be the culprit. Hopefully it's possible to find online schematics that identify which components the 40A Fuse relays power to.
This is a relatively easy and fast way to check the source of parasitic draw. Once the truck is been shut down (doors closed and trip the hood latch) for at least a half hour, the total current draw should be less than about 30 milliamps. Since a specific fuse has a specific element size, determining the voltage drop in millivolts across the fuse will tell you how much current is flowing in that circuit. There are charts that let you convert the voltage drop to amps. Other methods have you pulling the fuse but that wakes the module and you have to wait for that module to shut down again. This method leaves everything in a sleep state, unless one is not shutting down. Don't really need the schematics to identify the circuit since it is identified on the fuse block cover. However, once you identify the circuit, a schmatic does help in some cases. Hope this helps.

 
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I haven't read this whole thread so please forgive me if this has already been mentioned. Some dealers will install a tracking device when they sell a truck (mine was listed as a $800 security option when I was reviewing the sales quote). This tracking device crates a parasitic draw. For those of you that are having the battery voltage go low in a shorter time than expected or the batteries not lasting as long as expected check to see if one of these tracking devices is installed.
 
I’d have a hard time basing anything off the arbitrary “no values given gauge”. Always hated those on the fords too.

What is your actual voltage.
Don't own a Volt Meter, but took my truck back to Walmart where I purchased the battery and it showed correct voltage and a good battery however, I'm sure the 8 mile trip down an interstate highway charged the battery to full capacity. I'll need to purchase a volt meter and start trying to narrow down where the drain is occurring.
 
Don't own a Volt Meter, but took my truck back to Walmart where I purchased the battery and it showed correct voltage and a good battery however, I'm sure the 8 mile trip down an interstate highway charged the battery to full capacity. I'll need to purchase a volt meter and start trying to narrow down where the drain is occurring.
There is a screen on the EVIC that actually shows voltage. It isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty damn close.

But yes, a cheap multimeter is a requirement for any tool set. Get one with a continuity test feature (ohm test with an audible alarm for open circuit), and you can diagnose a ton of issues.
 
I haven't read this whole thread so please forgive me if this has already been mentioned. Some dealers will install a tracking device when they sell a truck (mine was listed as a $800 security option when I was reviewing the sales quote). This tracking device crates a parasitic draw. For those of you that are having the battery voltage go low in a shorter time than expected or the batteries not lasting as long as expected check to see if one of these tracking devices is installed.
That must be the tracking device installed to show the dealer your current mileage, TPMS and current Oil Life so they can tell you when to bring your vehicle in for service. I hate the fact the dealer can track me. This is against the LAW and my Rights as an American Citizen.
 
That must be the tracking device installed to show the dealer your current mileage, TPMS and current Oil Life so they can tell you when to bring your vehicle in for service. I hate the fact the dealer can track me. This is against the LAW and my Rights as an American Citizen.
I believe that tracking is built into the system by Ram and doesn't need an aftermarket device. I suspect the dealer installed tracker is for if you finance the vehicle through dealer programs. But the ones that put it on appear to put them an all vehicles. In my case they agreed to remove it from the quote since I wasn't financing the truck through them. Interestingly I found the uninstalled device when I was cleaning out my truck.
 
IMG_1404(1).jpegMy factory batteries just died on 2022 Ram 2500 6.7. Towed to dealer and was about 1500 miles out of warranty. They ended up changing two batteries and agreed to go 60/40 with me on cost. My 40% was $450. Ouch!
 
View attachment 92034My factory batteries just died on 2022 Ram 2500 6.7. Towed to dealer and was about 1500 miles out of warranty. They ended up changing two batteries and agreed to go 60/40 with me on cost. My 40% was $450. Ouch!
Maybe the old trick where the "normal price" is increased by the amount of the "discount"?
 
View attachment 92034My factory batteries just died on 2022 Ram 2500 6.7. Towed to dealer and was about 1500 miles out of warranty. They ended up changing two batteries and agreed to go 60/40 with me on cost. My 40% was $450. Ouch!
You should’ve bought your own batteries the dealer batteries are junk and overpriced
 
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