Battery Drain - Fog Lights turn On when Engine off, need to manually shut off

[kolson42]

Hello Everyone,

I have a 2018 Ram 1500 3.6L with 50k. Recently had trouble starting. When I tried to start it would shut off the entire cluster but would eventually crank. Battery indicator showed good charge. After a few days of this it stopped cranking but still had battery power.

Replaced starter a couple days later but battery was really low and it wouldn't crank.

Jumped it and it started and drove it around for approx 1 hrs to recharge battery. Next day, dead.

Removed battery and recharged it, then reconditioned it with Schumacher.

It started but seemed to have trouble.

Noticed each time it was running, after I shut it off, the lights chime would alert me to lights being on even though lights were in the off position.

Manually shut them off but next day, no start again.

I think there is a drain on the battery that has something to do with the fog lights/ext lights.

I know that battery drains can be very hard to diagnose, this is my only vehicle and it's been down for about 3 weeks at this point.

Has anyone run into this before, or have any ideas what might be causing this.

Thinking of removing F10 to see if it still happens, would leave me without lights but could still drive during the day, which would be better than not at all...

Any help would be appreciated.

Kris

 

[Dean2]

If the lights are on, even at a real low level, you should be able to tell in the dark. The light chime is a good clue to start working from. The lights should display some kind of glow.

If it isn't the lights, easiest way to locate a drain is to charge battery full up, now put a voltmeter on it and see if it shows any draw down just sitting. If it does, start sequentially pulling fuses till the draw down stops.

 

[SitKneelBend]

Hello Everyone,

I have a 2018 Ram 1500 3.6L with 50k. Recently had trouble starting. When I tried to start it would shut off the entire cluster but would eventually crank. Battery indicator showed good charge. After a few days of this it stopped cranking but still had battery power.

Replaced starter a couple days later but battery was really low and it wouldn't crank.

Jumped it and it started and drove it around for approx 1 hrs to recharge battery. Next day, dead.

Removed battery and recharged it, then reconditioned it with Schumacher.

It started but seemed to have trouble.

Noticed each time it was running, after I shut it off, the lights chime would alert me to lights being on even though lights were in the off position.

Manually shut them off but next day, no start again.

I think there is a drain on the battery that has something to do with the fog lights/ext lights.

I know that battery drains can be very hard to diagnose, this is my only vehicle and it's been down for about 3 weeks at this point.

Has anyone run into this before, or have any ideas what might be causing this.

Thinking of removing F10 to see if it still happens, would leave me without lights but could still drive during the day, which would be better than not at all...

Any help would be appreciated.

Kris

Is it the original battery? If so, bad batteries on there way out can cause some very strange gremlins. It may be worth starting by replacing the battery...

 

[kolson42]

Is it the original battery? If so, bad batteries on there way out can cause some very strange gremlins. It may be worth starting by replacing the battery...

It is, 11/18, so just past the 3 year replacement. Almost 4 years old.

 

[kolson42]

If the lights are on, even at a real low level, you should be able to tell in the dark. The light chime is a good clue to start working from. The lights should display some kind of glow.

If it isn't the lights, easiest way to locate a drain is to charge battery full up, now put a voltmeter on it and see if it shows any draw down just sitting. If it does, start sequentially pulling fuses till the draw down stops.

Thanks Dean!

 

[RamDiver]

After the first signs of any starting or battery-related issues, I'd suggest cleaning the battery posts & clamps and adding a light coating of dielectric grease. And then a cycle with a low-current battery rejuvenator or smart charger, is cheaper than driving these days.

Pick up one of these at your local auto parts store or from Amazon. I try to do this annually at a minimum.