Left auto running boards out overnight. Battery dead next morning.

[tul9033]

I have a 2019 Ram 1500 Limited with auto running boards. I had just washed it and left the boards out over night. The next morning the battery was DEAD, like 6v's dead.
Tried jumping it and it started doing all kinds of weird stuff still wouldn't start. Put a battery charger on it and after several hours started it up. Did have a check engine light on (something about transmission), which I cleared.
The battery charges fine via alternator and I've not had another issue in 3 months (battery reads 12.6v with volt meter after sitting overnight) . I thought these trucks had battery drain protection. Odd situation, anyone have any ideas? Only thing I can come up with is it was related to the running boards being left in the extended position, why that would cause this I have no idea.

 

[RoadRamblerNJ]

Are any bulbs lit when the RB's are out? Small lamps?
Something was drawing power for you to have only 6V left. That's stone dead!

 

[Daw14]

So it’s not broken ?

 

[Mike R]

Had same situation twice (you would think I would have learned after first time!). Washed and waxed truck and left steps down overnight and next day dead. So dead they had to tow to dealership. The ran some tests and replaced battery. Everything was good. 7 months later, did the same thing and this time was able to jump start truck but would get out of first gear and looked like Christmas trees on dash. Had it towed to dealer and they ran more tests and said battery was in good shape and couldn’t find source of problem. I was given option of them trying to replicate what caused it or I could try it at home but being as other vehicle had just gone to shop and I needed some transportation I just brought it home and have been careful to make sure steps are up after wash. Dealer stated that steps shouldn’t be drawing any power once extended so unfortunately I got nothin’ on why it died but if you should find out please post answer.

 

[tul9033]

Had same situation twice (you would think I would have learned after first time!). Washed and waxed truck and left steps down overnight and next day dead. So dead they had to tow to dealership. The ran some tests and replaced battery. Everything was good. 7 months later, did the same thing and this time was able to jump start truck but would get out of first gear and looked like Christmas trees on dash. Had it towed to dealer and they ran more tests and said battery was in good shape and couldn’t find source of problem. I was given option of them trying to replicate what caused it or I could try it at home but being as other vehicle had just gone to shop and I needed some transportation I just brought it home and have been careful to make sure steps are up after wash. Dealer stated that steps shouldn’t be drawing any power once extended so unfortunately I got nothin’ on why it died but if you should find out please post answer.

Thanks for the feedback. Good to know someone has had the exact same problem. Like you, I am just making sure I retract the steps when done.

 

[JF19Longhorn]

It shouldn't do that. I left mine out acouple times and never had an issue the next morning.

 

[Sandevino]

Are these steps factory installed? I've seen dealer installed electronic devices drain power where factory installed would not.

 

[mtnrider]

The steps alone should not drain the battery. There is no power going to them when they are down (or up), only during movement.

Does any kind of light come on when the steps are down? Even then I cannot imagine a small LED light killing the battery over night?

.

 

[tul9033]

My steps are factory installed and there is no indicator when they are out.
I believe all Limited's have the factory automated steps.

 

[Mike R]

As for mine, factory installed. No lights, buzzers, nothing that you would think of that might drain battery. But something did. Just not sure what

 

[chri5k]

Both folks have reported this happening after washing their trucks. Is it possible water in the running board mechanism is somehow causing the battery drain? Perhaps some sort of sensor that detects the board is either up or down not working properly while wet causing power to be applied to the deploy/retract mechanism.

 

[tul9033]

Both folks have reported this happening after washing their trucks. Is it possible water in the running board mechanism is somehow causing the battery drain? Perhaps some sort of sensor that detects the board is either up or down not working properly while wet causing power to be applied to the deploy/retract mechanism.

The water component did cross my mind. However, trying to rationalize why it happened only when extended.

 

[BTRKY]

This scenario has happened three times to me. I put the boards out as a "door ding" protection when I cannot park away from everyone. Come back out a few hours later and dead. First time I didn't put two+two together and figured I accidentally left it in ACC or something. The second time it clicked to me that the common factor was the running boards being deployed. Third time was to test if I was right. The issue makes no sense. There should not be any power drain with the boards deployed.

 

[JayLeonard]

I just installed aftermarket Aries power steps and I have a light when the step is down. Plus I am assuming there is power to the circuit board.
I would not be surprised if that was the case with the factory steps. But I would not think it would be enough draw to kill the battery.

 

[Pickering Ram]

Just happen to me as well, left the boards deployed for a couple of days and the battery was dead. Boosted the truck and it seemed to default to basic settings (controls didn’t have deeply boards, or passenger seat heat/cool) and some of the settings are missing….
wonder if the boards need power to keep them open.

 

[tul9033]

Thought I would update this. Took my truck to the dealer for a malfunctioning LED in the headlight, asked them to look at the running board issue as well. They came back with the rear slider frame was cracked allowing water in which ran down to a module. They replaced the back glass, third tail light, and a module that was in the back seat area (required both FOB's to be reprogrammed). Not sure if that fixed the running board issue, but they claim the draw stopped when the module was unplugged. Don't know if they took a shot in the dark, but I know this leaking rear window has been an ongoing issue.