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Battery Saver On Some Systems may have Reduced Power

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RamLimited2500

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Hey guys, I've seen some posts on this, but haven't learned of a cause, or a solution.

I've got a 2019 Ram 2500, Limited, with 105,000 miles on it. I've had it for just over a year. Never had an issue with it. Yesterday, this error message pops up on the screen behind steering wheel (Battery Saver On Some Systems may have Reduced Power.)

It killed the radio (and the ability to talk on the phone through the system) but that's all. Drove right to the Ram dealer near me, tested my batteries. One had 1017 CCA/12.69 volts and one had 996 CCA/12.75 volts so that's not the issue. Ram guys told me that it was nothing, a random fluke. With no warning lights on the dash, they said there was nothing more to worry about.

Headed into work today, same thing happens, about 4 minutes from my house. When this happens, all I have to do it turn it off, turn it back on, and everything works fine.

My truck has no mods, nothing unusual about the load the batteries are under. And it's parked in my garage. Last night the low was around 30 degrees. Three weeks ago it was 15 degrees at night, and I had no issues.

Anyone have this issue?
Anyone know what causes it?
Anyone know how to fix it?

Thanks and Merry Christmas!
 
That’s generally caused by weak batteries. Are your batteries original?
 
I have chased this issue for years. I also have a 2019 2500. Here's what I've tried:
  • I've replaced Intelligent Battery Sensors (IBS) 4 times. It 'solves' the problem for a few months, and then it's back.
  • I took an IBS apart and noticed that the terminals were a friction fit and not soldered. I soldered them and it made no difference.
  • I've changed Battery Saver settings in AlphaOBD--no difference.
The only thing I've learned is that this seems to be related to the supplemental heater system on the diesel trucks. Here's my logic:
  • If I plug in my block heater at temps below 50F, the Battery Saver doesn't activate, no matter what, unless I don't drive the truck before the coolant temp falls back below 100F (my block heater is on a timer that shuts off at 7am.
  • If I don't plug in my truck, and just start cold, and the outside temp is below 50F, the Battery Saver comes on religiously at the same drive time from my house every morning.
  • If I don't plug in the truck, but turn the HVAC controls 'off' until the coolant temp reaches 100F, the Battery Saver does not come on.
  • There must be some connection between the 100 or so amps of the supplemental heaters and coolant temp that engages the Battery Saver.
My advice: plug in the block heater or turn off the HVAC until the engine warms up over 110F.

This is a supremely frustrating 'feature'. Hope this helps...
 
takopecky said:
I have chased this issue for years. I also have a 2019 2500. Here's what I've tried:
  • I've replaced Intelligent Battery Sensors (IBS) 4 times. It 'solves' the problem for a few months, and then it's back.
  • I took an IBS apart and noticed that the terminals were a friction fit and not soldered. I soldered them and it made no difference.
  • I've changed Battery Saver settings in AlphaOBD--no difference.
The only thing I've learned is that this seems to be related to the supplemental heater system on the diesel trucks. Here's my logic:
  • If I plug in my block heater at temps below 50F, the Battery Saver doesn't activate, no matter what, unless I don't drive the truck before the coolant temp falls back below 100F (my block heater is on a timer that shuts off at 7am.
  • If I don't plug in my truck, and just start cold, and the outside temp is below 50F, the Battery Saver comes on religiously at the same drive time from my house every morning.
  • If I don't plug in the truck, but turn the HVAC controls 'off' until the coolant temp reaches 100F, the Battery Saver does not come on.
  • There must be some connection between the 60 or so amps of the supplemental heaters and coolant temp that engages the Battery Saver.
My advice: plug in the block heater or turn off the HVAC until the engine warms up over 110F.

This is a supremely frustrating 'feature'. Hope this helps...
Click to expand...

It’s definitely not a normal issue, but absolutely frustrating.

The coolant temp likely has nothing to do with your fix, but rather in the time it takes for the coolant to get to 100° the batteries have warmed a little and also charged enough that the added amp draw of the supplemental heater doesn’t effect the voltage and recharge rate of the battery.
 
...it absolutely seems to be connected to coolant temp, unless you're telling me that the block heater heats the batteries as well...
 
takopecky said:
...it absolutely seems to be connected to coolant temp, unless you're telling me that the block heater heats the batteries as well...
Click to expand...

It absolutely heats the batteries, indirectly, but it does heat them.

The supplemental heater works until coolant reaches 158°.
 
If one were to take out the supplemental heater relays to deactivate the system would it throw a code? May be a way to test your theory.
 
takopecky said:
I have chased this issue for years. I also have a 2019 2500. Here's what I've tried:
  • I've replaced Intelligent Battery Sensors (IBS) 4 times. It 'solves' the problem for a few months, and then it's back.
  • I took an IBS apart and noticed that the terminals were a friction fit and not soldered. I soldered them and it made no difference.
  • I've changed Battery Saver settings in AlphaOBD--no difference.
The only thing I've learned is that this seems to be related to the supplemental heater system on the diesel trucks. Here's my logic:
  • If I plug in my block heater at temps below 50F, the Battery Saver doesn't activate, no matter what, unless I don't drive the truck before the coolant temp falls back below 100F (my block heater is on a timer that shuts off at 7am.
  • If I don't plug in my truck, and just start cold, and the outside temp is below 50F, the Battery Saver comes on religiously at the same drive time from my house every morning.
  • If I don't plug in the truck, but turn the HVAC controls 'off' until the coolant temp reaches 100F, the Battery Saver does not come on.
  • There must be some connection between the 100 or so amps of the supplemental heaters and coolant temp that engages the Battery Saver.
My advice: plug in the block heater or turn off the HVAC until the engine warms up over 110F.

This is a supremely frustrating 'feature'. Hope this helps...
Click to expand...
Thanks, a lot here. Sounds like it's hit or miss.

What's odd is that I've had this truck for 13 months, and I've never had this issue before. Even with low temps at 0 degrees. I can't figure out what caused this to begin happening now.
 
RamLimited2500 said:
I'm not certain about that, to be honest.

But one had 1017 CCA/12.69 volts and one had 996 CCA/12.75 volts.....Ram said they were good to go.
Click to expand...

I’d look for OE part number or a manufacturer date and if they are original I’d replace them. Odds are still good it’s the batteries, especially if it’s getting down to 0°. Testing doesn’t always tell the whole story, especially since the size battery in these trucks are only rated at ~730 CCA.
 
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