Push in clutch

[RiverRatJim]

I have a 2016 Ram 3500 Laramie with automatic transmission. About 6 months ago I was low on DEF. 2 miles from my house the truck just shut down. I added DEF thinking I would have made it home in limp mode. After 1 month I said to myself let's get it running again. Batteries were dead so I charged them up and went to start it and it states push clutch in and press start. This truck is an automatic. Is there a way to reset to factory default settings?
I'm 13 miles down a dirt road so finding a tow company to come down my road is few and far between.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Wild one]

I have a 2016 Ram 3500 Laramie with automatic transmission. About 6 months ago I was low on DEF. 2 miles from my house the truck just shut down. I added DEF thinking I would have made it home in limp mode. After 1 month I said to myself let's get it running again. Batteries were dead so I charged them up and went to start it and it states push clutch in and press start. This truck is an automatic. Is there a way to reset to factory default settings?
I'm 13 miles down a dirt road so finding a tow company to come down my road is few and far between.
Any help would be greatly appreciated

Try disconnecting both batteries for an hour or so.By chance has it been tuned

 

[RiverRatJim]

Ok, sorry for the long delay in responding. My neighbor has passed so we are caring for his farm.
Ok so disconnected both batteries for an hour, same thing. So I disconnected the batteries for 30-45 days. Reconnected batteries and same thing. Besides the removal of power, is there a reset i can just or look up on computer reader?

 

[RiverRatJim]

The truck is stock. Has NOT been tuned

 

[joesstripclub]

Maybe you have a bad battery. These trucks can go crazy with low voltage. If the batteries are old might be worth replacing them, and then make sure you put on a charger if you won't be driving it often.

 

[Daw14]

Load test your batteries, with an old toaster style tester.
Harbor freight has them for right at $ 20.00.
Maybe the brake light switch is causing the issue.

 

[RamDiver]

Ok, sorry for the long delay in responding. My neighbor has passed so we are caring for his farm.
Ok so disconnected both batteries for an hour, same thing. So I disconnected the batteries for 30-45 days. Reconnected batteries and same thing. Besides the removal of power, is there a reset i can just or look up on computer reader?

How old are the batteries, and what was the state of charge when you revisited this project after 45 days?

If the batteries were dead after a month, as you said, another 45 days of sitting may have been a death sentence, regardless of their state when you first started, last July.

As Daw14 mentioned, a toaster-style battery load tester from Harbour Freight will provide definitive test results. The digital load testers used in parts stores are prone to false positive results.

Start by measuring the present state of charge using a digital multimeter. If they measure any less than 11.8 VDC, time for new batteries. Only replace as a pair.

If they're above 11.8 VDC, trickle charge them for a few hours and then load test using the device linked below.

100 Amp, 6/12V Battery Load Tester

Amazing deals on this 100 Amp 6/12V Battery Load Tester at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

.

 

[RiverRatJim]

Batteries are full charge. I had a solar trickle charger on them the whole time.

 

[Wild one]

Batteries are full charge. I had a solar trickle charger on them the whole time.

Unless you use an old school tester,like the one listed,you're just guessing the batteries are still okay,solar charger or not.Suck it up and spend 20 bucks on the load tester listed above,it shouldn't bankrupt you,and odds are you'll use it more then you think

 

[RiverRatJim]

Ok got the hand warmers from harbor freight. Both batteries checked fine. Both fully charged. Dash still stated pres in clutch to start. I tried the remote start, it stated on dash that remote start is disabled, press in clutch and push start button to start.
Can I pull start this truck?

 

[Ken226]

Scan it for codes. How many? Which ones? Any say "lost communication with ***"?
Is your check engine light on?

Got mice/squirrels on your property? Neighborhood stray cats can save you many thousands of $$ if they hang around your property.



These weird anomalies tend to pop up where there is a CAN network problem and modules lose communication.

Such as, the PCM and BCM no longer communicate, so the PCM doesn't know the truck has an automatic.

Check the PCM connectors and wiring, make sure it's connected properly and not damaged.

Do the same for the BCM, up above the emergency brake pedal.

 

[Curmudgeon]

Ok got the hand warmers from harbor freight. Both batteries checked fine. Both fully charged. Dash still stated pres in clutch to start. I tried the remote start, it stated on dash that remote start is disabled, press in clutch and push start button to start.
Can I pull start this truck?

Sure, just make sure you press in the clutch.

 

[Ken226]

Can I pull start this truck?

 

[Daw14]

I used to hear way back that if you towed an automatic transmission car ,over forty mph, that you could shift into drive and it would start . I never tried , but maybe that’s the technique .

 

[Ken226]

I used to hear way back that if you towed an automatic transmission car ,over forty mph, that you could shift into drive and it would start . I never tried , but maybe that’s the technique .

It would probably work.

The sketchy part would probably be going 40, with a tow vehicle attached, and muscling the dead power steering and brakes.

If he tries it, I sure hope he reports back with the outcome.

 

[Curmudgeon]

It would probably work.

The sketchy part would probably be going 40, with a tow vehicle attached, and muscling the dead power steering and brakes.

If he tries it, I sure hope he reports back with the outcome.

...and video!

 

[Sherman Bird]

I used to hear way back that if you towed an automatic transmission car ,over forty mph, that you could shift into drive and it would start . I never tried , but maybe that’s the technique .

That was back when SOME models of transmissions had a second "auxiliary" oil pump in the rear of the transmission which was driven on the output shaft, thus when the car was pushed, fluid pressure was available to engage forward gear when the shifter was put into drive, thus turning the engine through the transmission ala a stick shift!

 

[04fxdwgi]

To add to Sherman's statement, the modern xmissions have the pump running off the output shaft of the torque converter. In other words, if engine is not spinning, there is no pressure, so, pull / push starting is a no go.

 

[RiverRatJim]

Scan it for codes. How many? Which ones? Any say "lost communication with ***"?
Is your check engine light on?

Got mice/squirrels on your property? Neighborhood stray cats can save you many thousands of $$ if they hang around your property.



These weird anomalies tend to pop up where there is a CAN network problem and modules lose communication.

Such as, the PCM and BCM no longer communicate, so the PCM doesn't know the truck has an automatic.

Check the PCM connectors and wiring, make sure it's connected properly and not damaged.

Do the same for the BCM, up above the emergency brake pedal.

Can not get 3 differant scanners to connect. All say turn on ignition.
Can I remove the computer and bring it to a dealer to fix?
If so then what 1 should I pull?

 

[Ken226]

Can not get 3 differant scanners to connect. All say turn on ignition.
Can I remove the computer and bring it to a dealer to fix?
If so then what 1 should I pull?

All due respect, but from what I'm hearing and from what you are reporting, you need to have this truck towed to a shop/dealer.

Taking the PCM out would be pointless because at best, you're guessing that the PCM has something to do with the problem. Wiring, connectors, or literally anything else, could as likely be responsible. Modern cars are too complex to guess your way to a diagnosis. Especially electrical.