OEM Battery

[striperseeker]

I had to replace my OEM battery after only 38 months and 45k. Nice timing. My question is why was the check engine light on but no codes showing on my ODB reader? Also, the "check battery" indicator never came on at all. I took it to the dealer because of the check engine light (thinkin there could be charging system issues); it was only a bad battery. $320 later and 48 hours later I'm out the door. Apparently Chrysler requires them to run myriad tests and send the results in.
Anyone have similar issues or can comment on the CEL.
TIA.
Mark

 

[JHoward]

I had to replace my OEM battery after only 38 months and 45k. Nice timing. My question is why was the check engine light on but no codes showing on my ODB reader? Also, the "check battery" indicator never came on at all. I took it to the dealer because of the check engine light (thinkin there could be charging system issues); it was only a bad battery. $320 later and 48 hours later I'm out the door. Apparently Chrysler requires them to run myriad tests and send the results in.
Anyone have similar issues or can comment on the CEL.
TIA.
Mark

I still have the original battery in my 2017 RAM @48k miles.

I've been fortunate that it has lasted six years, but maybe what has helped it's longevity is during the short cooler months, I've used an battery maintainer.

Imo, if your aren't, it may be a good option for you to do during the fall/winter seasons where you reside. Cold weather is hard on these newer trucks because of the electronics, etc.

 

[ibike]

Copied this out of the service manual, and my guess is you were just on the edge of the point that it should set the battery light. (SOC= state of charge)
If the battery SOC is equal to or less than 35% and the battery voltage is equal to or less than 11.8 volts, a "Battery Reached Critical State" output signal is broadcast by the BCM. Another condition to set this output signal is that the battery voltage is less than or equal to 10.9 volts and the state of charge is less than or equal to 55%.

 

[crash68]

My question is why was the check engine light on but no codes showing on my ODB reader?

A lot of OBD readers only show "P" - Powertrain error codes, the CEL can also illuminate for error codes from just about any module in the vehicle. There are trouble codes that can pop up from disconnecting the battery.

 

[GTyankee]

I am surprised that my eco-diesels batteries last as long as they do.

In my County, we have few highways that require Daytime Running Lights, also in my business, we are required to have the Headlights on while Escórting an Oversized Load.

So i run my headlights, when ever the engine is running, that is a constant drain on the battery

 

[miketx]

The OEM battery in my '16 Rebel lasted 2 years. I installed an AGM in 2018.....still going.

 

[Dean2]

GT - running accessories like lights when the engine is running has no effect on battery life. The battery supplies the power for the initial start, after that all power is supplied by the alternator, and whatever excess power there is goes to recharge the battery for the next start. You can disconnect the battery completely once the truck is running, and the alternator will be enough to keep it running. Only if you are drawing more juice than the alternator can put out, will the battery kick in to assist.

The main reason for batteries dieing is being left without a tender for extended periods. In addition to the normal self discharge of a battery, which is worse the hotter it gets, today's cars have a constant electrical draw that will flatten the battery. I hot weather self discharge is accelerated but n cold weather battery capacity drops quickly and once the battery becomes discharged enough it is at risk of freezing.

Assuming batteries are kept properly charged, very hot weather is really bad for the life expectancy of a battery. Hot States tend to get less than half the battery life of colder locations.

Where I am, it is very common to get 8-10 years out of a battery, even an OEM one, if the battery is properly maintained charge wise. It rarely gets to 90 F here, most of the summer it is 70-80 max. In Arizona, the same battery is lucky to last 3 years.

 

[crash68]

You can disconnect the battery completely once the truck is running, and the alternator will be enough to keep it running. Only if you are drawing more juice than the alternator can put out, will the battery kick in to assist.

This might have been something you could do before the advent of the modern day computer controlled vehicles. Not advisable to disconnect the battery while the vehicle is running nowadays.

 

[Dean2]

This might have been something you could do before the advent of the modern day computer controlled vehicles. Not advisable to disconnect the battery while the vehicle is running nowadays.

True for sure, but that is due to all the computer controlled error codes, not due there being an actual draw on the battery.

 

[Riccochet]

I've never had luck with OEM batteries in any of my FCA vehicles. Might get 2-3 years out of them, tops.

 

[Ramfanski]

I got 6 years out of the oem battery in my 2011 1500. Even then, I only replaced it in the fall to prepare for the next winter.

 

[dragonlady277998]

I've got a 98 Laramie with the 5.9 V8 in it, long bed, crew cab, rear wheel drive. It's shaking badly in the front. I know of several different causes but, since I don't have the money to keep replacing parts until I find the culprit (and there are no obviously broken parts) and I have already addressed and/or fixed or ruled out several. Would a misfire/open injectors cause it to shake like that? Or should I continue to concentrate on the suspension?

 

[GTyankee]

DragonLady
i think that you should post your question, in this other section

General Discussion

Discuss anything in general about your 2nd gen that doesn't belong within the other categories here.

www.ramforum.com