Won't start, key stuck, no lights/power

[huntercorps]

I drove to a worksite today, about a 30min drive, in my 2015 Ram 1500 (V6) and briefly parked for about a minute. When I went to start my truck it died, didn't try to turn over or anything, now my key is stuck in the ignition and nothing has power not even lights/door chime. I connected a jump box and it did nothing not even the lights would turn on. Anyone got any Ideas, I have had no issues until now

 

[bhonshell37]

How old is your battery? All fuses are in working order?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[huntercorps]

about a year it showed as charging just fine yesterday at 14.6v when driving, I didn't see any blown fuses, but I'm suspicious of my battery current sensor that is on the neg terminal, it has a crack in the connector part. if that connection is not good at the battery current sensor can that cause the truck to not only not start but have no power anywhere

 

[csuder99]

14.6V charging is a bit higher than normal unless the battery is coming back from the dead. The fact that the truck is deader than dead indicates either a totally failed/shorted battery or some wiring from the battery to the "TIPM" aka fuse box is disconnected, or the main fuse in the TIPM is blown. Step 1 would be to disconnect the battery and see if it has any voltage.

 

[huntercorps]

Okay i will have to test it tomorrow, as the truck isn't at my house, but I did confirm that the battery current sensor wasn't just cracked it was split completely and the metal female pins in it are broken. Reading up on the sensor, it seems like this might be my issue or caused a dead battery by not telling the alternator to charge the battery. Does that seem correct.

*Update the battery was completely dead. I'm still thinking the sensor was the culprit but I also replaced a relay, it's driving fine now but i'm waiting on the current sensor part to be delivered.

 

[Salty Ram]

So, here's a thought and pardon me if I've missed something with this communication. But, about 8 years ago I had a 2500 and my key got stuck in the ignition and it wouldn't start. I had to have it towed to the dealer and it turned out to be the Winn(s) module - or something like that? It was less than a year old when that happened, but after the dealer replaced it (under warranty) I never had that problem again. I don't have that truck any longer as I now own a 1500 with a FOB. But, hope that may offer another option to check?

 

[Livinalittle]

Does your key take a battery as well.

 

[Joe H]

Have a 2017 1500, 5.7. Saturday night stopped at a red light and truck went completely dead. Key would not come out, could not move it to off. Called cops as at intersection and they brought a jump box. Tried the battery terminals and nothing. Moved it the the other side of the fuses at the battery terminal and we got a click. Key would then turn off, put it back in and it started. Drove it right home, 1 mile, and when pulling into the drive way the power steering went out. Turned off then on, it started but no power steering, steering hazard light was on. Called for a tow to the shop Monday morning and low and behold, truck started and power steering hazard light blinked a few times then went out and it started working. Still kept the appointment and dealer is looking to see what the issue is. I'll update when they let me know. Hope they find something.

 

[Joe H]

OK, got the truck back today. Not real confident on the diagnosis but dealer assures me it is OK, unless it happens again then call them. Dealer indicated there was a faulty ground that was draining the battery which can cause different systems in the truck to shut down at random. They indicated the battery needed to be replaced, which they did as a courtesy since I just got the truck 4 weeks ago, "Certified Preowned" with the 100K bumper to bumper coverage. They fixed the ground so I'll have to wait and see I guess.
My dad was a GM mechanic for 40 years, I was working on cars with him since I was 5 (holding the drop light and handing him tools) then started working on engines myself, still am. Who knows with the new electronics these days but I'm leery about the whole thing.

 

[grizzstang]

Chances are you're good. I had to replace the original battery on my 2017 last fall. Batteries are not what they used to be.

A failing battery can can all sorts of electrical issues in these modem vehicles and then add a bad ground to that.

Sounds like the dealer took care of you which is something to be pretty happy about these days.

 

[Joe H]

Thanks!! Fingers crossed. Ordering a Jump pack this week to be on the safe side. NOCO GB50 or Tracklife T8 Pro I think. Trying to decide.

 

[SND2010]

Happened to me recently. Went into a store, truck was running fine. Came out and inserted key, just clicked. Same symptoms as discussed above. Called AAA and waited... while waiting I started checking things out. Turns out that I did not insert the key fob all the way into the ignition switch.. and now it was stuck. I basically had to wiggle, pull and force the key counter clockwise to get it out of the ignition switch. The I carefully inserted in back in, this time all the way in and it started normally. I quickly ran home, parked and got out my trusty VOM to check the battery and the charging system which were fine. I now insure that I insert the key fob all the way into the ignition switch. The problem has not since repeated.

 

[RHAmber]

I had the same issue; as soon as I put the key in, the electronics completely died and the key was locked in the ignition. The ground connector to the battery was just a little bit loose! (by just a little bit, I mean I could twist it, but it appeared to be making good contact.) I had even coated the terminal with dielectric grease recently...but I had to bottom out the post clamp nut as tight as it would allow, so the clamp must be worn.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Pretty much all electrical signals go through the ground/s. So if there are any bad grounds that can cause things like you experienced (depending on the ground fault).

I had the same thing happen which was a battery that suddenly failed (was an old battery). Pretty much the same thing though: loss of a quality electrical signal path.

Hopefully you won't have any more issues.