Battery Voltage Issues on 2024 Ram Rebel

[kevinped31]

I have a 2024 Ram Rebel. Since day 1, I have had intermittent battery voltage issues. When it occurs, the gauge will be very erratic, showing the voltage going up and down while driving down the road. It will go way up, then way down and just keep moving around. The battery light comes on, and sometimes the engine light.

Sometimes it resolves back to a normal level. Sometimes I shut the truck off and restart everything and it resolves. And sometimes it is persistent and starts shutting down systems (power steering, brakes, etc).

It's incredibly intermittent, but seems more likely after the truck as sat for a few days without being driven. It has also been back to the dealer multiple times. A sensor was replaced, the battery was replaced. Still happens occasionally.

I read the post from someone with a loose power distribution connection. I'm going to suggest that to the dealer.

Any one else have this issue and know of any potential causes/solutions?

 

[ibike]

Had a very similar sign on my 2020 Ram. Bought it used and every time the a/c compressor kicked on the needle would flicker. Shortly later the battery that started the engine heading to town would no longer do anything. 0vdc. I’m voting on a bad battery. From a strong start to nothing.

 

[RamDiver]

I have a 2024 Ram Rebel. Since day 1, I have had intermittent battery voltage issues. When it occurs, the gauge will be very erratic, showing the voltage going up and down while driving down the road. It will go way up, then way down and just keep moving around. The battery light comes on, and sometimes the engine light.

Sometimes it resolves back to a normal level. Sometimes I shut the truck off and restart everything and it resolves. And sometimes it is persistent and starts shutting down systems (power steering, brakes, etc).

It's incredibly intermittent, but seems more likely after the truck as sat for a few days without being driven. It has also been back to the dealer multiple times. A sensor was replaced, the battery was replaced. Still happens occasionally.

I read the post from someone with a loose power distribution connection. I'm going to suggest that to the dealer.

Any one else have this issue and know of any potential causes/solutions?

When I read this information, I see a voltage performance failure indicated, but no real faults other than alarm notifications. Has there been any starting difficulties, EPS, or other electronic failures?

If the EPS were to fail while driving, you might not notice too much at faster speeds, other than a heavy steering wheel. At lower speeds with 90° corners, the failure would be very obvious.

The alternator supplies voltage when the truck is running.
Voltage fluctuations are a failure of the voltage regulation portion of the alternator.
Or the connections (internal or external) to/from the alternator to the battery.
If the battery were dead, the truck would not start.

The voltage fluctuations could be due to a crappy connection between the alternator and battery or an internal fault in the alternator that shows no visible indicators.

Do you have a digital multimeter and experience using it?

Start by removing and inspecting both ends of the large red wire between the alternator and battery. These connections should be clean and snugged.

When inspecting this large red wire, use caution (it has 12 VDC from the battery) and disconnect the end at the battery first, leaving it disconnected from the battery while disconnecting and inspecting the alternator end.

I read a post yesterday from a long-time member who experienced a similar issue and eventually discovered an internal voltage bus fault with the alternator. When he tried to remove the nut on the large red wire crimp at the alternator, it broke off immediately when torque was applied.

If no significant connection faults are observed, watch YouTube videos on voltage drop testing.

Or search this forum. I've posted video links and directions on voltage drop testing several times.

This method will likely reveal any internal faults on the large red wire, crimp lugs, or internal faults in the alternator.

And welcome to Ram Forum.



Thanks to whomever moved this thread to the 5th-gen section.

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