WTF just happened?

[Venator05]

I was parked for moment just idling and the dash lights started going off. ESP BAS, traction control, brake, etc. the check engine light was flickering on and off. I was unable to shift out of park. I shut the engine off then tried to restart. Nothing. Wouldn’t turn over no lights would come on almost like a completely dead battery. Tried several times and same thing. Turned off the key and sat there for a few minutes trying to figure out what to do. After a few minutes both turn signal lights on the dash flashed twice and the doors unlocked. After that I was able to start the engine as normal. No check engine light no messages and it ran as normal. Does anyone know why it would do this?

 

[Ken226]

I was parked for moment just idling and the dash lights started going off. ESP BAS, traction control, brake, etc. the check engine light was flickering on and off. I was unable to shift out of park. I shut the engine off then tried to restart. Nothing. Wouldn’t turn over no lights would come on almost like a completely dead battery. Tried several times and same thing. Turned off the key and sat there for a few minutes trying to figure out what to do. After a few minutes both turn signal lights on the dash flashed twice and the doors unlocked. After that I was able to start the engine as normal. No check engine light no messages and it ran as normal. Does anyone know why it would do this?

I had similar happen when I accidentally unlatched the BCM connector with my left boot lace, while parked, idling.

It's up, behind the emergency brake. The connector is held in place by a cam lever. If the BCM gets disconnected, everything it controls tends to go *******. Check that connector.


Also, check your battery. If the BCM goes offline and has to reboot because your battery voltage starts to get below 12v, similar things happen.

If the battery is less than about 5 years old, load test it with a toaster style load tester. The digital testers that AutoZone and O'Reilly's use, tend to call bad batteries good. Use the old-school type tester.

If the battery is more than 5 years old, you should probably just replace it anyway.

 

[Ken226]

I was parked for moment just idling and the dash lights started going off. ESP BAS, traction control, brake, etc. the check engine light was flickering on and off. I was unable to shift out of park. I shut the engine off then tried to restart. Nothing. Wouldn’t turn over no lights would come on almost like a completely dead battery. Tried several times and same thing. Turned off the key and sat there for a few minutes trying to figure out what to do. After a few minutes both turn signal lights on the dash flashed twice and the doors unlocked. After that I was able to start the engine as normal. No check engine light no messages and it ran as normal. Does anyone know why it would do this?

For testing a battery, this:

https://www.harborfreight.com/100-amp-612v-battery-load-tester-61747.html?hftm_sc=&hftm_source=google&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21905183668&campaignid=21905183668&utm_content=171677805782&adsetid=171677805782&product=61747&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21905183668&gbraid=0AAAAADAHb4fNHpc8dndz1N23OoDHvE5Bk&gclid=Cj0KCQiA18DMBhDeARIsABtYwT0QcKQ_773dexb8thEyD0KSOED_3oZUO-gwMxZg0iRyS3GUdfo8dYwaAjbuEALw_wcB

 

[Dusty]

If I had to blind bet it'll be on the battery, but before changing I'd still want to log any stored codes. You never know.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 147076 miles.

 

[dhay13]

My first bet is battery but if that's not it then I'd say BCM. I had the BCM go out in our 2005 Mustang and had very similar symptoms.

 

[madtrucker2016]

could be the tip electric fuse box circuit board by the fuses under the hood, that makes everything go, wacko when they start to go, I had a truck, it was out of warrenty so I went to the junk yard and put it in myself and never had this problem again

 

[BigTerry66]

I was parked for moment just idling and the dash lights started going off. ESP BAS, traction control, brake, etc. the check engine light was flickering on and off. I was unable to shift out of park. I shut the engine off then tried to restart. Nothing. Wouldn’t turn over no lights would come on almost like a completely dead battery. Tried several times and same thing. Turned off the key and sat there for a few minutes trying to figure out what to do. After a few minutes both turn signal lights on the dash flashed twice and the doors unlocked. After that I was able to start the engine as normal. No check engine light no messages and it ran as normal. Does anyone know why it would do this?

My ign switch causes mine to do that Occasionally...