eco mode stopped ?

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alex6666

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I generally use the tow haul mode while driving around as i live in a hilly area and the eco coming off and on is annoying. lately though I noticed the eco hasn't been engaging at all? Frankly as long as the engine is running the way it should I'm fine with it. On a recent 700km trip it didn't engage once. Has anyone else had this happen? Everything seems fine with the engine and I'm guessing that the computer is adjusting to my using tow haul all the time.
 

crazykid1994

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Only reason MDS does not turn on is a CEL or you have the transmission set to manual gear select. Eco and mds are not directly related. The eco light may turn on or off but MDS might not be on. Eco means driving economically. Also mds will not turn on if the vehicle registers engine load above a certain point which bad gas or larger tires can both cause. Have you done any work to the truck recently and how many miles on the truck. My eco light turns on and off but mds is disabled on my truck.
 

Wanted33

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The same thing happened with my Wrangler. The small battery was dead as a door nail. New battery, and it works fine now. I see you have a 2017, so maybe start there. I hope it's that simple for you.
 
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alex6666

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my truck is stock tradesman and has no modifications battery has just been replaced. I'm not driving under load. Everything is the same as it was when the eco lite, and presumably from a knobs point, came off and on on a regular basis. I assumed (yeah i know hehe) that when the eco light came on the mds was activated. I wouldn't mind if someone would explain what a cel is? Personally if the mds never came on again I'd consider it a good day but the truck is still under power train warranty till next may and if its something that might turn out expensive or out of the ordinary it might be worth my while to have it looked at. Thanks again for the helpful input......its much appreciated :)
 

Hookedup87

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ECO will not illuminate with Tow Haul mode selected. Turn off Tow Haul as a test and drive. ECO should once again illuminate.
 
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alex6666

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When i first got the truck the eco light came on frequently. I don't like to use the tow haul on highway trips as there seems to be a rough downshift from 6 to 5. i recently went on a long 700km trip and the eco light didn't come on once and hasn't since when the tow haul is off. There is no other lights like check engine etc coming on and the truck seems to run just fine....just no eco light and presumably, though i don't know for sure, no mds engaging. Gotta say the truck does some weird things i don't understand like the change oil light came on and for some reason disengaged the cruise control, when i got the oil changed the cruise control began to work again. Pretty sure thats not normal and i don't have any explanation for it. Like I said though the truck seems to be fine.....just weird :)
 

Wanted33

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Alex, I'm gonna take a wild shot in the dark here brother as I know nothing about the electronics in these new vehicles. However, on another forum there have been strange happenings that were cured by simply unhooking the positive battery cable for around 10-20 minutes. Kind of a reset situation I guess. It's simple enough to try. Good luck, I wish I had a better answer.

Jim
 

PolarisCobra

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'Alex, I'm gonna take a wild shot in the dark here brother as I know nothing about the electronics in these new vehicles. However, on another forum there have been strange happenings that were cured by simply unhooking the positive battery cable for around 10-20 minutes. Kind of a reset situation I guess. It's simple enough to try. Good luck, I wish I had a better answer.'



You should not unhook the positive battery cable, unless the negative is unhooked first. ALWAYS unhook the negative first. It's safer, and accomplishes the same thing.
 

crash68

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I don't like to use the tow haul on highway trips as there seems to be a rough downshift from 6 to 5.
6th gear is 1:1 (7 & 8 are overdrive gears) the downshift to 5th is 1.284:1 that's what your probably feeling, although you must be slowing down considerably for a 6 to 5 downshift(somewhere under 35-40 mph).

As for your ECO light, it may be due to the AC running. The ECO light is determined by engine load.
 

Hookedup87

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The only other thing I can think of is did you mess around with the radio in the truck. When I got my 2018 my ECO light never came on either. Thought it was strange so I investigated. Somewhere in one of the display menus I think was a box to display ECO mode. I selected it and ECO began to display on the dash
 

pacofortacos

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6th gear is 1:1 (7 & 8 are overdrive gears) the downshift to 5th is 1.284:1 that's what your probably feeling, although you must be slowing down considerably for a 6 to 5 downshift(somewhere under 35-40 mph).

As for your ECO light, it may be due to the AC running. The ECO light is determined by engine load.
He might only have the 6 speed in a tradesman. It was an option in 2016, not sure on the 2017's as I don't have that brochure.
 

pacofortacos

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On a tradesman can the eco light be turned off like on the other models?
 

turkeybird56

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The only other thing I can think of is did you mess around with the radio in the truck. When I got my 2018 my ECO light never came on either. Thought it was strange so I investigated. Somewhere in one of the display menus I think was a box to display ECO mode. I selected it and ECO began to display on the dash
YES, in EVIC, even on 5th Gen, there is an option to turn on. Default: is off.
 

crash68

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He might only have the 6 speed in a tradesman. It was an option in 2016, not sure on the 2017's as I don't have that brochure.
It doesn't appear to be an option for the 2017 model year stateside, but just noticed he's from Canada. I believe the 6spd was available for them up until the Classic models were launched
 
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alex6666

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Hey thanks everyone for the input. My 2017 has a six speed i suspect its because it was a late production 2016 sold in 17. I didn't realize this when i bought it and am not sure whether thats good or bad? Either case its mine now :) I haven't intentionally turned off the eco mode light in the cluster display but I might of done it by accident and will def check it out. light goes out whether or not i'm using air con. Thanks again for the time and input its much appreciated. If i ever get it figured out i'll update :)
 

Dusty

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Fwiw, mine will show the eco light and run MDS while tow haul is on. 2018
My 2014 did the same thing.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 3 June 2018. Now at 73530 miles
 
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