Need help on possible wiring issue

[Jessyfew1]

Hi guys new here I’m hoping to get some help. I have a 2019 ram 2500 big horn diesel. My four wheel drive switch sometimes doesn’t light up. When it doesn’t light up it obviously doesn’t work. But then it will come on sometimes. I left it sit for 2 days and went to start it an the truck appeared to be “dead”. Charged battery’s and tested them under load. Battery’s we’re fine. Cleaned terminals an connected them. Truck started but had 5 codes. B2199,C3100,C211b,C212a,C0020. I cleared the codes. Truck is still starting as of right now but when it starts it draws the voltage down to around 11.5v then slowly climbs. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. It is out of warranty by the way.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Hi guys new here I’m hoping to get some help. I have a 2019 ram 2500 big horn diesel. My four wheel drive switch sometimes doesn’t light up. When it doesn’t light up it obviously doesn’t work. But then it will come on sometimes. I left it sit for 2 days and went to start it an the truck appeared to be “dead”. Charged battery’s and tested them under load. Battery’s we’re fine. Cleaned terminals an connected them. Truck started but had 5 codes. B2199,C3100,C211b,C212a,C0020. I cleared the codes. Truck is still starting as of right now but when it starts it draws the voltage down to around 11.5v then slowly climbs. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. It is out of warranty by the way.

Do a draw test the start tracking down the draw

 

[Jessyfew1]

Do a draw test the start tracking down the draw

Thank you I didn’t think of that. I did pull what I thought was all fuzes. It’s drawing roughly 1.4 volts. It does leak down over time I have to put negative terminal back on then remove it again. I happened to open and shut door as I was doing that and it fluctuates almost to 2 volts.

 

[bfs673]

Thank you I didn’t think of that. I did pull what I thought was all fuzes. It’s drawing roughly 1.4 volts. It does leak down over time I have to put negative terminal back on then remove it again. I happened to open and shut door as I was doing that and it fluctuates almost to 2 volts.

You'll want to chase current, not voltage. Though voltage sag is a good indication of draw as well, current will help you quantify the issue.
The truck will maintain power to the USB ports for roughly 1 hour after turning it off; if you have something plugged in, that could be a source of draw.

I'm surprised you're still having a draw with all fuses removed. There's a fuse box in the cab as well, drivers side below the steering wheel. Requires two bolts to be removed to access.
I've never looked at mine, but looking to hard-wire a dash cam and this was in the instructions I've seen.

Best of luck!

 

[bfs673]

Forgot to mention, I've seen several gremlins appear appear due to low voltage; mine was due to a failing battery, even though the truck would start ok.
I think you're on the right track to solve the current draw / low voltage condition, then monitor codes for potential issues.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

You'll want to chase current, not voltage. Though voltage sag is a good indication of draw as well, current will help you quantify the issue.
The truck will maintain power to the USB ports for roughly 1 hour after turning it off; if you have something plugged in, that could be a source of draw.

I'm surprised you're still having a draw with all fuses removed. There's a fuse box in the cab as well, drivers side below the steering wheel. Requires two bolts to be removed to access.
I've never looked at mine, but looking to hard-wire a dash cam and this was in the instructions I've seen.

Best of luck!

There is no fuse block under the dash.... and usb ports remained powered unless power saver is initiated from low battery voltage....

use a test light and check to see what fuses are powered on with the truck off then do an amperage draw test on each fuse that has power that will lead you in the right direction

 

[Brewbud]

These trucks do strange things when the batteries are low. As fast as your batteries went down you could have a dead/shorted cell in one of them. A battery with a shorted cell will drain the battery voltage down. The few times I had strange or unusual electrical issues in my last truck it was a bad battery. Good luck. Electrical issues suck.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

These trucks do strange things when the batteries are low. As fast as your batteries went down you could have a dead/shorted cell in one of them. A battery with a shorted cell will drain the battery voltage down. The few times I had strange or unusual electrical issues in my last truck it was a bad battery. Good luck. Electrical issues suck.

Good call but he said he load tested them

 

[Brewbud]

Well duh... totally missed that. LOL

 

[Brutal_HO]

There is no fuse block under the dash.... and usb ports remained powered unless power saver is initiated from low battery voltage....

use a test light and check to see what fuses are powered on with the truck off then do an amperage draw test on each fuse that has power that will lead you in the right direction

Correct on the lack of in cab fuse panel.

However, I read the battery saver info in the OM and it appears it only cuts power on devices while the truck is running if the discharge rate is higher than the charge rate.




Can you provide a reference that shows it should kick in if there's a parasitic draw down when not running?

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

Correct on the lack of in cab fuse panel.

However, I read the battery saver info in the OM and it appears it only cuts power on devices while the truck is running if the discharge rate is higher than the charge rate.

View attachment 15621
View attachment 15623

Can you provide a reference that shows it should kick in if there's a parasitic draw down when not running?

Interesting i heard it elsewhere on the battery saver i assumed it was true my bad lol

 

[Brutal_HO]

Interesting i heard it elsewhere on the battery saver i assumed it was true my bad lol

Lol, That was probably me when my truck wouldn't start after a week at the airport in (well) below zero weather.

Sent from my work avoidance device

 

[dirtyjerzy]

what was the outcome of your electrical issue?

 

[Brutal_HO]

what was the outcome of your electrical issue?

<shrugs>

Don't let the truck sit for a week in -10 weather I guess.

It's acted up once since when it wouldn't remote start and lit up the EVIC that I had to clear codes.

I'm waiting until the 2023 refresh comes out with the new Ford mirrors I've asked for and trading it in. Hoping we'll get that, a ZF 8-speed, and the 5th Gen seats. Add those the to current platform and I'd be happy. As much as I like the bigger flat floor cab, I don't know how they'll get it stuffed in without stretching the wheelbase and this thing already turns like a battleship.