Truck won’t start, says service 4x4

[Original DMx]

Hey fellas, new to the forum, I hope I’m posting in the right place. I have a 2016 ram 2500 with the 6.7 Cummins and 25k miles. I went to start my truck two days ago and it started but went into limp mode and said I needed DEF and couldn’t go over 5 mph. I had about half of the DEF tank full, but the needle was on empty. I shut the truck off and tried to restart. It went into preheat mode for a couple of seconds even though it ran for a minute or two and preheated earlier, and then cranked one turn but then stopped and said service the ABS. I tried again and it cranked one time and then said service 4x4 system. Tried again and it started normally. I moved a trailer with it, parked it and came back the next day to go to the store. Did the one crank thing again, said service 4x4 and turned off. Did this several times and then started normally. I didn’t trust it, so I shut it down and tried re-starting. All it does now is the one crank thing followed by service 4x4. Has anyone had anything similar, I’m curious as to what it might be before I go to the dealer (appt. on Monday for the drag link recall and to check this out). I’m sure they are going to try and pass the buck, but I’m hoping it’s somehow covered under the drivetrain warranty.

 

[huntergreen]

Welcome to the forum ! Can't help but am curious as to what the dealer finds.

 

[CDN Ram]

I have had all those symptoms as you did, it was determined in my case a low battery was causing the problems, I never replaced the batteries just charged them, now in my case my truck doesn't really get driven in the winter only once every month or so, it sits long periods of time in the winter temps causing the batteries to discharge. not sure if yours is a daily driver or not but charging the batteries fixed mine. Not sure if this could be the problem with you being in SO Cal, doesn't really get that cold there, as that is where I bought my Truck (Palmdale). good luck and let us know what you find out.

 

[RedneckHippy]

I agree, check your batteries, these rams do some very weird stuff when the batteries start to get a little weak. My buddy was afraid he fried his computer cause it was all out of wack. He got new batteries and it was good as new.

 

[56PW17]

I had a service 4 x 4 warning one time. It was a fuse thankfully. Sounds like you could have an electrical issue also. Hope this gets worked out at the price of a cheap fuse

 

[JohnnyMac]

I have had all those symptoms as you did, it was determined in my case a low battery was causing the problems, I never replaced the batteries just charged them, now in my case my truck doesn't really get driven in the winter only once every month or so, it sits long periods of time in the winter temps causing the batteries to discharge. not sure if yours is a daily driver or not but charging the batteries fixed mine. Not sure if this could be the problem with you being in SO Cal, doesn't really get that cold there, as that is where I bought my Truck (Palmdale). good luck and let us know what you find out.

This is exactly the first thing that came to my mind. My theory, which I've had with a 1500 I had, is when you turn it over, the weak batteries can't handle the high current draw, and so the voltage drops down to the point of messing up the ECU which throws a bunch of random errors. A good charge will probably fix it, but I'm guessing you might be better off replacing them.

 

[RamCares]

Hey fellas, new to the forum, I hope I’m posting in the right place. I have a 2016 ram 2500 with the 6.7 Cummins and 25k miles. I went to start my truck two days ago and it started but went into limp mode and said I needed DEF and couldn’t go over 5 mph. I had about half of the DEF tank full, but the needle was on empty. I shut the truck off and tried to restart. It went into preheat mode for a couple of seconds even though it ran for a minute or two and preheated earlier, and then cranked one turn but then stopped and said service the ABS. I tried again and it cranked one time and then said service 4x4 system. Tried again and it started normally. I moved a trailer with it, parked it and came back the next day to go to the store. Did the one crank thing again, said service 4x4 and turned off. Did this several times and then started normally. I didn’t trust it, so I shut it down and tried re-starting. All it does now is the one crank thing followed by service 4x4. Has anyone had anything similar, I’m curious as to what it might be before I go to the dealer (appt. on Monday for the drag link recall and to check this out). I’m sure they are going to try and pass the buck, but I’m hoping it’s somehow covered under the drivetrain warranty.

Hey, Original DMx. We recommend bringing this up with your dealer when you are in for the recall repairs as you stated. If you need any additional assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out via private message.

Kate
RamCares

 

[grantndozzer]

Low battery issue. Drained my battery down camping and it did the same thing. Charged battery and it works good. I also have a 2016 6.7.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk