Cummins no start in the COLD!

[Burn'n Oil]

Appreciate the input. I need all the hindsight I can get. As well, I should've checked the battery voltage after it failed to start. It just didn't initially appear to be a battery issue even through it was hellishly cold. It was -28C a few days prior when I was off down the road and she started fine. And that excursion was at least 45 min in duration and 50 or so kms of continuous operation. That should have been plenty of time for the batteries to replenish the juice after getting beaten up by the grid heater. If it's gonna happen again it'll likely be when the mercury plunges into the ugly range again and I ain't looking fwd to that!

 

[Great White North Eh]

The problem is when you live out in the sticks you’re on your own to get your vehicle going. There is no neighbours rubbing elbows ready to help give you a boost. If it’s-40 then there is no other vehicle to boost from. I usually keep charged batteries ready to boost from and sometimes that works. The school buses didn’t run for a week here so it was cold.( insert cold emoji)

 

[Camr]

The problem is when you live out in the sticks you’re on your own to get your vehicle going. There is no neighbours rubbing elbows ready to help give you a boost. If it’s-40 then there is no other vehicle to boost from. I usually keep charged batteries ready to boost from and sometimes that works. The school buses didn’t run for a week here so it was cold.( insert cold emoji)

Noco make a boost box that is large enough to boost a 6.7. I’ve carried one for three years and have boosted lots of Fords, but never my own truck.

 

[Burn'n Oil]

Noco make a boost box that is large enough to boost a 6.7. I’ve carried one for three years and have boosted lots of Fords, but never my own truck.

Yep, and if you're gonna depend on it when it's -40, ya want the GB150. It retails for well over $400 up here.

 

[BC2019RAMLTD]

So my otherwise trouble free truck failed to light the fire this morning. It was round about -35C. Block heater had been plugged in for about four hrs. The grid heater preheat cycled and then,"SNAP!" (same kinda sound ya get when a relay goes) Then the "Service Fuel Filter" msg flashes up on the EVIC and the tail gate dropped down. WTH! The engine would not crank. MIL is flashing so query that and get a P2509 DTC (ECM/PCM Power Input Signal Intermittent). Hmmm... Replaced the fuel filters in Oct so I'm reasonably confident they're ok. Fuel tank has anti-gel in it and the fuel is from a reputable source. I suspect I'm the victim of some form of electrical sorcery but too soon to tell for sure. Waiting on a tow truck via roadside assist. They're usually very busy when it's this cold. More to follow...

I'm staring to wonder about how prepared these things are for cold weather myself. My new 6.7 just spent two weeks parked and plugged in, there was a -40C cold snap for about a week while I was gone. Started ok when I got back, but within 200km it the Service DEF light, turned around to make it to the nearest dealer... hoping to hear it's a flash update but fearing it could be worse. Apparently they've seen 3 more of these today!

 

[Great White North Eh]

I'm staring to wonder about how prepared these things are for cold weather myself. My new 6.7 just spent two weeks parked and plugged in, there was a -40C cold snap for about a week while I was gone. Started ok when I got back, but within 200km it the Service DEF light, turned around to make it to the nearest dealer... hoping to hear it's a flash update but fearing it could be worse. Apparently they've seen 3 more of these today!

That sucks pig p!$$. I remember years ago that they bragged about having a ‘’cold condition testing facility“ I think it was in Manitoba. Doesn’t seem they are doing much in the way of that anymore. Please update on how you make out.

 

[Burn'n Oil]

I'm staring to wonder about how prepared these things are for cold weather myself. My new 6.7 just spent two weeks parked and plugged in, there was a -40C cold snap for about a week while I was gone. Started ok when I got back, but within 200km it the Service DEF light, turned around to make it to the nearest dealer... hoping to hear it's a flash update but fearing it could be worse. Apparently they've seen 3 more of these today!

4000 kms and first winter... that is not particularly inspiring! Real curious about what they find.

 

[flan]

Keep us updated!

 

[BC2019RAMLTD]

4000 kms and first winter... that is not particularly inspiring! Real curious about what they find.

So they had it sorted out within an hour and a half and I managed to make the rest of my trip home with no issues. They said it just needed a flash, all is well.

Not super pumped about the fact that something as simple as the DEF system is going to put me in limp mode, especially since I bought this new truck so that I didnt have to worry about having issues on the long trips I make twice a month. I'll be picking up a code scanner/clearer... the last thing I need is to be stranded on the highway in the middle of the night with no dealership in sight.

Hopefully this will be my last experience with this gremlin!

 

[TrminalV]

So my otherwise trouble free truck failed to light the fire this morning. It was round about -35C. Block heater had been plugged in for about four hrs. The grid heater preheat cycled and then,"SNAP!" (same kinda sound ya get when a relay goes) Then the "Service Fuel Filter" msg flashes up on the EVIC and the tail gate dropped down. WTH! The engine would not crank. MIL is flashing so query that and get a P2509 DTC (ECM/PCM Power Input Signal Intermittent). Hmmm... Replaced the fuel filters in Oct so I'm reasonably confident they're ok. Fuel tank has anti-gel in it and the fuel is from a reputable source. I suspect I'm the victim of some form of electrical sorcery but too soon to tell for sure. Waiting on a tow truck via roadside assist. They're usually very busy when it's this cold. More to follow...

I had nearly the exact same thing happen to me about 2 weeks ago. Also in the cold here in Colorado, not quite as frigid, where it was about 20F. I got the same preheat cycle then just a click and the same "Service Fuel Filter" message. I was able to get it jump started and drove it into the shop.

End result: Bad battery found during a load test which was replaced under warranty.

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,
2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn CCSB 6.7 diesel built in the middle of August 5-8, 2019

Warranty replaced both batteries due to load testing failure. 11/15/19

Working fine since.

 

[ahhhr]

Me thinks ill test my batteries. I have not had any troubles but this sounds like something to check.

 

[Burn'n Oil]

I had nearly the exact same thing happen to me about 2 weeks ago. Also in the cold here in Colorado, not quite as frigid, where it was about 20F. I got the same preheat cycle then just a click and the same "Service Fuel Filter" message. I was able to get it jump started and drove it into the shop.

End result: Bad battery found during a load test which was replaced under warranty.

Howdy,
2019 Ram 2500 Big Horn CCSB 6.7 diesel built in the middle of August 5-8, 2019

Warranty replaced both batteries due to load testing failure. 11/15/19

Working fine since.

Thanks for the sharing your battery grief. Although mine load tested ok, I'm concerned that one or the other of them will do a face plant when the mercury plummets again. And it probably will cuz winter's a long way from over. Last Feb presented us with the coldest stretch in 40 yrs for these parts.

 

[Daybreak]

Howdy,
I should add that it happened 3 times. A total dead "click" when going out to start it. Jumped it and went. Next few days fine, then another morning with "click" At a dealership, and they said all was fine. The third time, I forced the situation for load testing, and both batteries were replaced.

Virginia area, it was not even all that cold during the 3 dead "click" times

 

[AKDoug]

I'm staring to wonder about how prepared these things are for cold weather myself. My new 6.7 just spent two weeks parked and plugged in, there was a -40C cold snap for about a week while I was gone. Started ok when I got back, but within 200km it the Service DEF light, turned around to make it to the nearest dealer... hoping to hear it's a flash update but fearing it could be worse. Apparently they've seen 3 more of these today!

I had a similar situation. When you're running your truck every day at those frigid temps, the DEF heater on the pump in the tank has the ability to melt enough DEF to keep things moving along. If the tank gets so frozen that it can't keep up you will see your gauge go down and eventually get the code you did, even though there's plenty of DEF in the tank (frozen still). The cure is simply to thaw out the tank, but that is not possible in all situations. A buddy of mine has been able to clear that code you have with a code reader and keep moving until he had a chance to get it thawed. In my case, it took a full 18 hours in the shop (68F) to thaw mine out and get my low DEF light to go off (had 4 gallons of DEF in the tank).

BTW.. my dealer said FOUR WEEKS for an appointment to clear my code. I went home and took care of it myself. Bought a code reader and thawed it out.

 

[Burn'n Oil]

Howdy,
I should add that it happened 3 times. A total dead "click" when going out to start it. Jumped it and went. Next few days fine, then another morning with "click" At a dealership, and they said all was fine. The third time, I forced the situation for load testing, and both batteries were replaced.

Virginia area, it was not even all that cold during the 3 dead "click" times

Ridiculous! Load testing should be SOP for questionable batteries. Sheeesh...

 

[BC2019RAMLTD]

I had a similar situation. When you're running your truck every day at those frigid temps, the DEF heater on the pump in the tank has the ability to melt enough DEF to keep things moving along. If the tank gets so frozen that it can't keep up you will see your gauge go down and eventually get the code you did, even though there's plenty of DEF in the tank (frozen still). The cure is simply to thaw out the tank, but that is not possible in all situations. A buddy of mine has been able to clear that code you have with a code reader and keep moving until he had a chance to get it thawed. In my case, it took a full 18 hours in the shop (68F) to thaw mine out and get my low DEF light to go off (had 4 gallons of DEF in the tank).

BTW.. my dealer said FOUR WEEKS for an appointment to clear my code. I went home and took care of it myself. Bought a code reader and thawed it out.

4 weeks for an appointment to clear a code stemming from an issue that you shouldn't be dealing with in the first place... that's customer service!
I picked up a cheap code reader so that I can take care of it myself next time, definitely not ideal but it beats the hell out of limping down the highway for a couple hundred kilometers at 8 km/h!

 

[AKDoug]

4 weeks for an appointment to clear a code stemming from an issue that you shouldn't be dealing with in the first place... that's customer service!
I picked up a cheap code reader so that I can take care of it myself next time, definitely not ideal but it beats the hell out of limping down the highway for a couple hundred kilometers at 8 km/h!

Don't get me started . I hope this truck makes me happy enough to counter balance the disgust I currently have for my dealer.

 

[Northstarfire0693]

Thats weird. I would guess low battery power is the cause. The one thing that kills me is the DEF. You would think FCA would have had that mess figured out by now. I have an 18 3500 DRW and it was -12f here in Maine last night. We do see some very low temps and knock on wood my DEF system has been fine. I thought if the DEF was frozen that the computer would let the truck run without it till it thaws out.

 

[Burn'n Oil]

I thought if the DEF was frozen that the computer would let the truck run without it till it thaws out.

That's correct. Unless, apparently, there's too much frozen DEF in the tank. I maintained the tank at about half full going into the winter and had no issues. There's been numerous occasions over the past three month where the DEF would've been frozen solid.