Truck randomly shuts off while driving

[Devo3358]

Hi. I have a 2012 1500 that shuts off randomly throughout the day while I’m driving. I have to pull over, throw it in park then it starts up right away. All the shops here, including dodge can’t diagnose it unless it happens on the spot. There doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason. I have noticed that sometimes I have to turn the key a few times to get it to start. Alternator was tested and is fine. Any suggestions would help. Thank you

 

[gofishn]

New ignition switch.

Start from the battery, onwards or the ignition switch.
I would go with ignition switch since they are know to go bad.

 

[PaulTGarrett]

Ignition switch. I had pretty much the exact same problem with my '12 2500... Nothing like going down the highway at 80 and having the truck shut off! Look around on YouTube, there are some videos on how to disassemble the switch and clean the contacts (dirt cheap and temporary repair) or replace the switch (there is a guy on eBay who sells the switch, 2 fobs, pre-programmed). You can also have the dealer replace the switch and fobs ($$$$$).

I simply disassembled my switch and cleaned the contacts. Has been working fine so far but I know that is just a cheapie temporary fix. Total failure will occur and the switch will have to be replaced.

Good luck!

 

[Ken226]

Just a random thought, since i havn't had my coffee yet and am still a little cranky:

Preface to say, im not ******** at you guys, on the contrary, you guys rock!

My education and background is in engineering, so this theme always gives me a case of the redass.


I've seen this theme play out ad infinitum. The dealer can't diagnose something so simple as a very minor electrical fault. Unless a computer self diagnostic throws on the idiot light, telling them exactly what is wrong, they are clueless.

The truck owner comes here, asks for advice at 6:03, and by 6:40 has an answer. And answered no less, by a man who hasn't even seen the truck!

They obviously have experienced this symptom, found the cure, then found a central repository where this information could be shared.

What did dealers do before OBDII? They were forced to hire competent mechanics. Electrical faults certainly existed before 1998.

I remember those days, because we didnt get to just assume the problem didnt exist if we couldnt pull a code, or reproduce it on demand. Intermittent faults were challenging.

We had to take the customers word for it, and start pulling the parts most probably responsible and start checking continuity and resistance across circuits, or switches. We called other mechanics, asking for previous experiences.

A dealership, who's job is to repair these trucks, and should obviously be aware of its own lack of competence at diagnosis, must not have access to this repository of information.

Worse yet, they lack the desire to create their own repository where, doubtless a network of dealers could create a purpose built troubleshooting, searchable database of known problems.

Dealers suck. The lack of competence is astounding. As often as not, a person having trouble can find a forum, do a search and ask a question, then fix the problem themselves much faster and cheaper.

We should be very grateful that companies like Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier and Lufthansa Technik still hire competent people to chase down gremlins.

 

[8675309]

Anyone know who the ebay guy is? Having trouble finding him

 

[Burla]

There is nothing you can do when it is an ignition switch, the truck "thinks" you turned off the key. No codes, no way to diagnose other then a theory. Worth a shot to change it

Dealers sell cars, they aren't the ones who use a million made to break products on these, the manufactorers are. And the real people to blame is us, for keep on buying this garbage. There used to be great pride in auto manufactoering, like the movie Grand Torino. But those days are long over and those vehicles that you can fix with a paper clip and long gone, unless you go buy a used one. Sure dealers are not my favorite people, but manu's really suck.

 

[8675309]

Are the ones on ebay fron wrecked trucks? Also, do caravan ones work? I have a 2012 with ignition switch issues.

 

[bubba5xx]

nice write up

 

[PaulTGarrett]

OK, the link I saved for eBay is now dead and I can't find the WIN module anywhere on eBay anymore... Probably FCA doing another takedown of inexpensive replacements for their stupidly overpriced parts.

I did find the YouTube video from another shop that sells the WIN module and two fobs, pre-programmed to your vehicle. They claim plug and play with a three year warranty.


The module isn't inexpensive... As I recall, the one I bookmarked on eBay was in the neighborhood of $400... Guy on YouTube wants $600... Dealer would probably want $1200 and marriage rights to your first daughter...

 

[Fernando Bastidas]

OP, did you ever figure out what the issue is? Was it the ignition switch?

My truck is doing the same exact thing, it's at the dealer now and they can figure out what the problem is

 

[Kpetrone]

Same thing happened on my 07 Charger RT. Turned out to be the ignition switch interlock piece. Basically what connected key barrel to the electrical portion of the ignition switch was pot metal and crumbled in place. Would work enough to turn the switch but would eventually vibrate and let the switch contacts open.

 

[ThunderMug95]

This thread made me cringe...This switch has been **** since the mid 90’s. Pot metal crap. 2 ZJ’s of mine this happenned to....nothing like hotwiring your own Jeep on the side of the road...

 

[RamCares]

OP, did you ever figure out what the issue is? Was it the ignition switch?

My truck is doing the same exact thing, it's at the dealer now and they can figure out what the problem is

Hi Fernando,

Keep us updated on your dealer visit. If an additional layer of assistance is needed while in service, don't hesitate to connect with us via direct message.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

 

[Fernando Bastidas]

Hi Fernando,

Keep us updated on your dealer visit. If an additional layer of assistance is needed while in service, don't hesitate to connect with us via direct message.

Jasmine
Ram Social Care Specialist

I've already tried that which didnt help unfortunately.

The dealer can't figure out the problem

 

[Priell3]

Digging up an old thread...

Our 2016 1500 has shut off three times while driving in the course of 10 days.

 

[Neosporine13]

All, I bought a used (well of course used) 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 4.8 V8. I had the exact same problem while driving 30 miles away from the dealership after purchase. Was doing 70 on the highway, and it went completely dead (as if I had shut off the truck) slowed down, and finally came to a stop. I tried to start it in neutral while driving, but the truck was already done. I spent the better half of a month locating the problem I had. I'm going to tell you everything that I did (this was an everyday problem by the way, whether I was in park, driving, stopped at a stop sign).

1. Replaced the Crank Sensor (did not fix it)
2. Replaced the Cam Shaft Sensor (did not fix it)
3. Replaced the Ignition Switch (did not fix it)
4. Added on the next 3 fill ups of gas, a can of Seafoam (did not fix it, but it did run better)
5. Took it to the car wash and cleaned the tires with Clean White (that definitely didn't fix it, but I wanted my wife to at least enjoy the beauty of this beast, which I have always loved the way a dodge truck looks)

To give you some background on my new to me truck, it came with 129,345 miles on it (not bad for an 08). It has a cattle guard on the front that would withstand any deer attack. It is a Quad Cab, 8 foot bed, and silver. I loved this truck from the moment I saw it, and the price was very good.

I decided to do the regular 100,000 miles maintenance on it. I ordered all 16 spark plugs (intake 8, exhaust 8), 8 plug wires, and 8 Coil Packs. I took a day off of work to do this, and what I discovered right off the bat, I couldn't get the first plug out (it started to turn, and then tightened back up, I put it back and left all the spark plugs alone. I can't afford to rethread or get one out if it broke, I'll hire someone for that.)

I did go ahead and replace all the coil packs and the plug wires. One of the coil packs had a white arc looking burn on the boot of it, which I have to assume may have been the entire problem. I ordered all of this off of Rock Auto, and for the past 2 weeks, my truck starts better, and it has not quit yet. It has had every opportunity to do so, with the humidity, heat, cool nights, regular Missouri weather.

It may not fix them all, but in all the threads that I have read, and research on the internet, no one mentioned replacing the coil packs before. That and the plug wires cost around $180, and they were mostly easy to do, minus the one closest to the steering wheel.

 

[Neosporine13]

Digging up an old thread...

Our 2016 1500 has shut off three times while driving in the course of 10 days.

Mike P, see the message I just posted, may help you out....

 

[Cvalen]

Hi Fernando, did you ever figure out what was happening, i have the same issue, i already replace the CAM and CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS

 

[Vseven71]

There is nothing you can do when it is an ignition switch, the truck "thinks" you turned off the key. No codes, no way to diagnose other then a theory. Worth a shot to change it

Truck shut itself off 3 times today. And after reading this comment, I did a little test.
Start the truck, put it in drive, then turn the key to ACC while in drive. And voila!! Same thing!!

Will try cleaning the contacts as one suggested.
Put new battery in the keys.
And will contact the dealer to see if a recall was issued and done on my truck.

 

[Disgruntled drive]

So I had this issue in august of this year. Driving down the road and my 2015 2500 shut off and i lost all power. Did the quick ignition fix and got it to the dealership who replaced the WIN and the fuse box. Just last night the truck did the same thing but none of the fixes are working. Is there a recall yet for these or are we stuck driving ticking time bombs?