Hi guys,
2018 Ram 2500, 6.7 Cummins, new in Jan 2018, now 16,000 miles.
Sorry to resurrect an old thread but I am having a problem with a truck I otherwise love. I realize this looks bad as a first or low-count post, but I'm not bashing Ram. I'm trying to be very objective and as friendly and understanding as I can at the local dealer.
"Battery Saver Mode" comes on after most starts, even in a 50*F heated garage, where the truck is normally parked.
It comes on for every start that is with engine cold (outside, I'm in Alaska and winter temps are low -30F, high +30F). It's gotten worse, and now comes on when starting in the morning in the garage, and last night even came on after a restart (driven 20 miles, parked under 10 minutes, restarted with engine still over 180F).
Dealer's Service Advisor says this is "normal." I call BS. I asked that he have both batteries independently checked. He told me (and showed the slips) that the batteries tested OK, but said they "blew 2 hours doing it." I've now had the truck in the shop 3 times (4, really), each time with this as *one* of my complaints/requests. He tells me that I need battery heaters. I don't think I do, parking in a garage at 50F. I do have winter package (block heater, cold-front, and I've added oilpan and trans pan heaters).
Service Visits:
Dec 5, 2018
Took truck in for 2 recall/campaigns (ignition/trans interlock solenoid and airbag programming), and request they look into "battery saver mode" and driver's heated seat only lukewarm on high (hard to tell it's even on).
Performed recalls, ordered seat heater "sensor module" and "no problem with Battery Saver Mode, normal"
Truck returned to me with new error, "Service Electronic Braking System" and stability control light on. I was told to drive it, it might go away.
Jan 2, 2019, next available appointment
Bring in for heated seats (parts arrived), battery saver mode complaint again, and to fix the still-there stability light and EBS warning.
Wrong parts ordered for seats. Battery Saver Mode "normal" and they DID fix the EBS warning (tech forgot the final step of the recall, to reinitialize the ABS module).
Jan 8, 2019, notice leaking right rear axle seal. Call on phone, no earlier appointments available, must wait for Jan 22. Told to just drive it by a service advisor (Jan 8) and the service manager (Jan 14).
Jan 22, 2019, next available appointment
Leave truck all day, no work started. Picked up (very unhappy customer)
Jan 23, 2019
Leave truck again.
Correct heated seat part installed. Axle seal replaced, fluid topped off. Both batteries independently checked upon my request. Both test OK, told again "battery saver mode is normal and OK" and given a couple sheets of paper that explain what the Battery Saver Mode does. This info was already found online and in the manual. Back to driving.
So my question to you folks in the forum community - Am I out of line to expect a 2018 truck to start and run out of my heated garage with no errors on the display? I don't drive short runs (I commute 20 miles to work each way, and am often hauling water home, and taking longer trips every other weekend.
How do I go about getting the service advisor to take a next step into escalation? I'm already stuck with a dealer which refuses to provide any assistance other than a minivan shuttle service (won't take me even halfway home, out of their area), and their service dept. has a horrible reputation around town. Now I know why. Please don't tell me to try another dealer. The next closest Ram dealer is 360 miles away.
Hints, help, recommendations? Does every Cummins out there have this "Battery Saver Mode" coming on with every start that's cold enough for the grid heater to be in use? If I can't get this fixed, my next vehicle will be one that can be serviced by another dealer, and that narrows my choices to no Dodge/Ram/Jeep vehicles, which would make me sad.