Press Clutch to Start

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Nietzsche

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2017 RAM 2500 4 X 4 Cummins 11,500 miles. Had it to the dealer for the drag link recall and fuel filter replacement. On the way home the ABS and traction control lights illuminated but went out after a few seconds. Last night I was driving and the same lights illuminated but kept coming on for a while and then going back off over and over. Additionally the chime would sound and I would get a "service electronic brakes" or "service ABS system" warning. Today I was going to run it by the dealer but when I tried to start instead of the display reading press BRAKE to start it read press CLUTCH to start. As this is an automatic there is no clutch to press so the truck won't start. I'm still under the B to B warranty so they will tow it to the dealer for me. Is there anything simple that I can check before I have it towed? Just a guess but I think they probably knocked some connector partially loose or only partially reconnected some connecter which they had removed during the fuel filter change.
 

Brandon-w

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Did they do any recalls other than the drag link? Might have done a reflash and something didn't load in right. I know when I'm tuning my truck it says depress clutch to start until the programmer is done then it goes back to normal.
Just a thought though.
Brandon.

Sent from my SM-A530W using Tapatalk
 

RamCares

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2017 RAM 2500 4 X 4 Cummins 11,500 miles. Had it to the dealer for the drag link recall and fuel filter replacement. On the way home the ABS and traction control lights illuminated but went out after a few seconds. Last night I was driving and the same lights illuminated but kept coming on for a while and then going back off over and over. Additionally the chime would sound and I would get a "service electronic brakes" or "service ABS system" warning. Today I was going to run it by the dealer but when I tried to start instead of the display reading press BRAKE to start it read press CLUTCH to start. As this is an automatic there is no clutch to press so the truck won't start. I'm still under the B to B warranty so they will tow it to the dealer for me. Is there anything simple that I can check before I have it towed? Just a guess but I think they probably knocked some connector partially loose or only partially reconnected some connecter which they had removed during the fuel filter change.

Hello Nietzsche,

We're sorry to hear you're having such a tough time with your 2500. Keep us updated on your dealer visit. If an additional layer of assistance is needed, don't hesitate to send us a direct message.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist
 
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Nietzsche

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Did they do any recalls other than the drag link?

Thanks for the thought Brandon. I looked at the paperwork for my last visit and it says nothing about reprogramming anything, but I called the Service Manager today and had him check but he says no reprogramming was done. I had them tow it in this afternoon and I'll let you know what they find.
 
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Nietzsche

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If an additional layer of assistance is needed, don't hesitate to send us a direct message.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

Thanks Jasmine. I'll post back when they determine the problem
 
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Nietzsche

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I called the dealer Friday afternoon and was told "there is an electrical problem" and that "he worked on it all day" but didn't find the problem because "there are a lot of wires in there". They said not to expect it back until the "end of NEXT WEEK!". I spent 27 years in the military working on guided missile systems which are exponentially more complex than a truck wiring harness / CAN bus system and can't imagine taking more than one day to trace out any "electrical problem". I will update when I have more info.
 

crash68

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I spent 27 years in the military working on guided missile systems which are exponentially more complex than a truck wiring harness / CAN bus system and can't imagine taking more than one day to trace out any "electrical problem".

Difference is you were probably extensively trained on how to fix them, not so much the case with vehicles. The wiring diagrams the techs deal with leave some things to be desired. The fact it is looking for a clutch in an automatic transmission sounds like a module might be flakey
 
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Nietzsche

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Got the truck back on Friday and everything is working again. Press clutch to start was a loose connector. They replaced the ABS module and the Hydraulic Control Module and this fixed the random warning lights / chimes.
 

Gr8bawana

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Glad to hear you got it fixed. Did you have to pay to get it fixed since it happened after the dealer performed the original service?
It worries me because I'm currently looking to buy a 2016-2019 2500 CTD.
I'm hoping all these problems I see on this forum are not typical because you don't often hear from those that have these trucks for years and years and they are trouble-free, only the bad ones.
 
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Nietzsche

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No I didn't have to pay because it is still under the bumper to bumper warranty. I wouldn't let the problems reported here be the determining factor whether to buy a RAM or not. As you say, only those of us with problems post here. I know a LOT of very satisfied RAM owners. If I had it to do again I would still buy the RAM so I would consider myself a satisfied owner too.
 

Gr8bawana

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Thanks for the feedback. I hope to be one of those satisfied owners very soon.
 
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