48Volt Battery Failure

[Jodepassanante]

I have a 2022 Dodge Ram 1500 with an eTorque system. About 2 months ago the truck battery light came on and within an hour the entire vehicle shut down while driving it to the local garage. No power no steering, no ability to shift gears, the thing had to be dragged onto the tow truck, wheels locked in place. We had it towed to the dealer as we assumed it was the alternator however it turned out to be the 48Volt back up battery. The mechanic has put a request into the "Star System" to order a new one and apparently the battery is on "restriction" and they are not allowed to order it because too many orders have been put in and they have to wait until there is an open spot. Truck has been at the dealer for over 8 weeks now with no estimate of replacement. Every time I call I get the same answer. And for additional frustration, no curtesy vehicles. Has anyone had experience with getting this battery replaced?? I understand it was recalled in previous models. Not only is it frustrating but the dealer has told me that replacing the battery does not prevent it from happening again since they don't know why it happens. Looking to see if anyone has had better experience and if there is light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[mikeru]

First of all it's not a back up battery. It is the main battery for the etorque system. The truck has no traditional alternator to charge the 12v battery under the hood. Instead, the etorque motor/generator charges the 48v battery and there is a voltage regulator circuit within the 48v battery module which charges 12v battery. The tech should have known that there is no alternator on an etorque equipped Ram 1500.

My daughter had to have the 48v battery module replaced on the 2019 Rebel she used to own. At the time there was about a six week wait for the replacement. That was before covid and all of the parts shortages. Fortunately for her the dealership she was working with offered loaner vehicles.

The dealer is correct that replacing it does not prevent the new one from failing. That obvious statement is true for any part you replace though. In my daughter's case she had no more problems with the 48v battery module for the remaining three and a half years she had the truck.

 

[Smokewagon2025]

We had/have the exact same problem. Wife got stuck 100 meters from our house thank God. Found out that the dealer we bought our truck from (Beverly Hills Cadillac) had installed the wrong size battery. AAA replaced it with the correct size. Thought that corrected the problem. Now the battery warning light started flashing. Decided to take it to Rydell in San Fernando. On the way of course the battery light did not illuminate. $260 to diagnose, luckily have warranty. Then service manage calls and states they ran into something and have to replace the bumper. No charge for that he says. Waiting for diagnostic result. Thank you for the info regarding etourqe issues. Beginning to think truck is cursed. Probably should not have bought a RAM at a Cadillac dealer but the deal on a 22 1500 Rebel GT was too good to pass up. Any other info/advice would sure be appreciated....