[Solved] Installed Aftermarket Headlights & Now My Truck Won’t Turn On

SaltyJ · Jan 25, 2021

Hey y’all, I installed my new AlphaRex Pro Series G2 headlights in my 2016 2500 today. I drove ~two miles to see if they worked after the install and boy did they look better than my OEM Quad Headlights I had in before them. About 2 hours later I was showing my neighbor the headlights and I tried to turn on the truck but it wouldn’t turn on.
Boy was I embarrassed, now I’m here seeking some advice/help.
Could it be a dead battery? It hasn’t been changed since 2016...
The cluster shows that battery isn’t depleted, or could that be wrong?

Here’s a video, for anyone interested...

lpennock · Jan 25, 2021

Looks like a shorted cell in one of the batteries. Could also be a corroded/loose terminal.

Sent from my SM-T500 using Tapatalk

2014greatwhite · Jan 25, 2021

I was going to suggest checking the battery connection maybe wasn’t tight enough and after driving loosened up and it was running off the alternator so wouldn’t notice until you went to start again.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

crash68 · Jan 26, 2021

I doubt it has anything to do with the new headlights. Check make sure all the fuses and relays are fully seated. Try to remote start the truck.
Did you make any changes with AlfaOBD if your using LEDs in the new headlights? Maybe something inadvertently got changed?

Gone · Jan 26, 2021

There's this one small fuse somewhere in the middle of the fuse box in my case rite next to the air suspension fuse ..if its burnt truck lights and everything come on but no start

RedSRT4Me · Jan 26, 2021

SaltyJ said:
Hey y’all, I installed my new AlphaRex Pro Series G2 headlights in my 2016 2500 today. I drove ~two miles to see if they worked after the install and boy did they look better than my OEM Quad Headlights I had in before them. About 2 hours later I was showing my neighbor the headlights and I tried to turn on the truck but it wouldn’t turn on.
Boy was I embarrassed, now I’m here seeking some advice/help.
Could it be a dead battery? It hasn’t been changed since 2016...
The cluster shows that battery isn’t depleted, or could that be wrong?

Here’s a video, for anyone interested...

When the truck went blank at second 27-28 that tells me dead battery

SaltyJ · Jan 26, 2021

lpennock said:
Looks like a shorted cell in one of the batteries. Could also be a corroded/loose terminal.

Sent from my SM-T500 using Tapatalk

2014greatwhite said:
I was going to suggest checking the battery connection maybe wasn’t tight enough and after driving loosened up and it was running off the alternator so wouldn’t notice until you went to start again.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I think everything is tight and well placed

crash68 said:
I doubt it has anything to do with the new headlights. Check make sure all the fuses and relays are fully seated. Try to remote start the truck.
Did you make any changes with AlfaOBD if your using LEDs in the new headlights? Maybe something inadvertently got changed?

Sadly I do not have remote start, I upgraded the cluster of it makes the truck seem newer. No changes on AlfaOBD.

Beemer533 · Jan 26, 2021

I'd pull the battery and bring it to an auto parts store. I think they all pretty much test them for free. Modern vehicles are pretty sensitive to battery issues.

SaltyJ · Jan 27, 2021

Turns out the battery was drained, because like a dingus I left the lights on the “on” setting instead of “auto”. Does this mean I should change my battery soon if it drains quickly, or no?

crash68 · Jan 27, 2021

I would see how the battery reacts. If the battery starts showing signs of becoming weak easily then by all means replace the battery for peace of mind.

RedSRT4Me · Jan 28, 2021

SaltyJ said:
Turns out the battery was drained, because like a dingus I left the lights on the “on” setting instead of “auto”. Does this mean I should change my battery soon if it drains quickly, or no?

Spend the $200 on a quality battery unless you somehow still have warranty left on it. These trucks are very moody when the battery goes south. The LED/projector trucks are power hungry in my experience.

erictomlin · Feb 1, 2021

SaltyJ said:
Turns out the battery was drained, because like a dingus I left the lights on the “on” setting instead of “auto”. Does this mean I should change my battery soon if it drains quickly, or no?

Your truck is a 2016, and you mentioned previously "It hasn’t been changed since 2016...". So it sounds like original battery, which would make it between 4 and 5 years old. If it's giving you issues because you left the lights on a little too long, then it's probably on it's way out. Winter is also not your battery's friend. I would invest in a new one.

Crazygrady1948 · Feb 1, 2021

Battery is 5 - 6 years old? Invest in a new one. You're going to need one sooner or later, probably sooner.

CheechDogg.0n37s · Feb 1, 2021

Yeah I would just go with the new battery myself .... better than getting stranded out in the cold because it felt like not starting your truck one night lol ...

SaltyJ · Feb 1, 2021

RedSRT4Me said:
Spend the $200 on a quality battery unless you somehow still have warranty left on it. These trucks are very moody when the battery goes south. The LED/projector trucks are power hungry in my experience.

Crazygrady1948 said:
Battery is 5 - 6 years old? Invest in a new one. You're going to need one sooner or later, probably sooner.

CAG CheechDogg said:
Yeah I would just go with the new battery myself .... better than getting stranded out in the cold because it felt like not starting your truck one night lol ...

What battery do you guys recommend?

RedSRT4Me · Feb 1, 2021

SaltyJ said:
What battery do you guys recommend?

Any of the AGM batteries are excellent. This standard of battery runs north of $200.

My current battery is a Duracell. My stock battery died 1 year into ownership. I had to much going on at the time to claim a battery under warranty. I can't remember which brand my 1st AGM battery was but it lasted 4 years till my current Duracell.

If you can score this type of battery for under $200 do it. I don't really recall a bad brand. If someone has had a bad experience they'll chime in.

njjeff201 · Feb 2, 2021

First get a cable & post cleaner: https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-B...325518&sprefix=battery+cleaner,aps,153&sr=8-6

I'd also suggest a cable remover: https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-54150-...s=battery+cable+remover&qid=1612325619&sr=8-2

Make a paste with water & baking soda & small brush. Do the cables, posts to remove corrosion & the battery top as well. After everything is dry (Good if you access to compressed air) Cleaner all the connections the better!!! When I worked at Ford I saw a brand new car dropped from New Car Carrier off the ramps which they shut off & wouldn't start. I pulled the cables and cleaned with the wire brush & all was good. Cars do not like bad connections or electrical resistance, and that was eons ago.

Awaiting delivery any day now on my new 1500 Laramie.

PS-My '95 Mitsu got nine (9) years out of the factory battery. Just kept it clean & battery level full. 95% of batteries are not sealed like they say. It's a marketing ploy & a lie. And all I used was tap water not distilled. Might've been longer if I used distilled water!

RedSRT4Me · Feb 3, 2021

njjeff201 said:
First get a cable & post cleaner: https://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-BAF-BI-Terminal-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B0060YHP62/ref=sr_1_6?crid=QEFK2OUJV0F3&dchild=1&keywords=battery+cleaner&qid=1612325518&sprefix=battery+cleaner,aps,153&sr=8-6

I'd also suggest a cable remover: https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-54150-...s=battery+cable+remover&qid=1612325619&sr=8-2

Make a paste with water & baking soda & small brush. Do the cables, posts to remove corrosion & the battery top as well. After everything is dry (Good if you access to compressed air) Cleaner all the connections the better!!! When I worked at Ford I saw a brand new car dropped from New Car Carrier off the ramps which they shut off & wouldn't start. I pulled the cables and cleaned with the wire brush & all was good. Cars do not like bad connections or electrical resistance, and that was eons ago.

Awaiting delivery any day now on my new 1500 Laramie.

PS-My '95 Mitsu got nine (9) years out of the factory battery. Just kept it clean & battery level full. 95% of batteries are not sealed like they say. It's a marketing ploy & a lie. And all I used was tap water not distilled. Might've been longer if I used distilled water!

Your 95 Mitsubishi also had a fraction of the processing power these ram 1500 trucks have. They're not even in the same league.

95% of batteries manufacturered being wet is not a point made to reveal marketing ploys or lies. It's a result of owners driving vehicles that require older group style wet batteries.

I'm not trying to denounce true conspiracy and lies because they do exist. They just don't belong in this conversation about replacing your truck battery. :console:

[Solved] Installed Aftermarket Headlights & Now My Truck Won’t Turn On

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