Dead battery and bed light turned on

[FBMRHO]

I had my truck for just over a week and 300 miles. Today I left it outside for a few hours and when I tried to start it in the afternoon the battery was completed dead. I checked around the truck and only weird thing I found was the bed light was turned on. I’m pretty sure it was off as I have not figured out how to have it turned on when the tailgate is opened and I was afraid leave it on may drain the battery so I have turned it off a few days ago. I did some searching online and found similar issue reported for earlier models. Other than that the truck has been driving beautifully and I’ll keep you guys posted.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ram_trucks/comments/ylde5e/battery_drain_and_cargo_lamp_turning_on

 

[MattH89]

So today I was replacing my bed cover and I decided to wash out the bed while I was at all. All in all probably 4 hours with tailgate down. Also operated the power tailgate a shit load of times trying to get it just right with the bed cover lip.

Came out couple hours later and truck would not turn over. Dash and chimes worked fine but no starter engaged.

Battery was at about 25% charge. 2 hours on the Noco 10 and everything seems fine - holding 14.4v on a quick drive. I guess we'll see tomorrow morning but I'm pretty sure this was user error given the circumstances.

All this to say - definitely don't be an idiot like me and remember that the tailgate acts like an open door.

@mgmargate thought you'd enjoy this from me.

 

[mgmargate]

So today I was replacing my bed cover and I decided to wash out the bed while I was at all. All in all probably 4 hours with tailgate down. Also operated the power tailgate a shit load of times trying to get it just right with the bed cover lip.

Came out couple hours later and truck would not turn over. Dash and chimes worked fine but no starter engaged.

Battery was at about 25% charge. 2 hours on the Noco 10 and everything seems fine - holding 14.4v on a quick drive. I guess we'll see tomorrow morning but I'm pretty sure this was user error given the circumstances.

All this to say - definitely don't be an idiot like me and remember that the tailgate acts like an open door.

@mgmargate thought you'd enjoy this from me.

Do you really believe your truck should not start after this?
I'm sure it's nothing just ask Mikey.
Or maybe not because he'll get your posts deleted.

 

[MattH89]

Do you really believe your truck should not start after this?
I'm sure it's nothing just ask Mikey.
Or maybe not because he'll get your posts deleted.

No I actually am surprised that it couldn't handle this to be honest. But it's also a really niche circumstance that I'm not likely to repeat/can easily avoid.

I will 100% agree that I don't think this *should* have killed the battery.

 

[Mikey Swift]

Do you really believe your truck should not start after this?
I'm sure it's nothing just ask Mikey.
Or maybe not because he'll get your posts deleted.

If you really think I care enough to get your posts deleted, you are the moron we all believe you to be. I suppose I'd be salty too if I couldn't afford the truck, and best I could do was troll the forum.

 

[mgmargate]

If you really think I care enough to get your posts deleted, you are the moron we all believe you to be. I suppose I'd be salty too if I couldn't afford the truck, and best I could do was troll the forum.

Nice try .My real estate taxes are probably more than your mortgage.I don't have a mortgage.I can see the ocean from my porch.

 

[Woga]

Nice try .My real estate taxes are probably more than your mortgage.I don't have a mortgage.I can see the ocean from my porch.

Wank wank

 

[MattH89]

Well second no-start today. This time was after pumping gas. You could hear it try but then die. Lights and all were working.

Took a jump pack and instantly started up but was sitting at 12.8v while driving. Have it on the Noco now and a dealer appt Tuesday morning.

I have almost 13k miles and thought a bad battery or some draw would've shown itself way sooner.

 

[ponchoten]

Good morning.
I'm having trouble with the OEM batteries on my RHO 2025. Yesterday afternoon, I coincidentally came across a metallic object. It must be electronic, since it has several harnesses located under the driver's seat. Its temperature is similar to an iron when the RHO is working. It's impossible to hold your hand on this metal because of the heat it generates.
From my point of view, if it's generating heat, it's consuming energy. Does anyone know what it is? Can someone touch it after fifteen minutes and tell me if it's super hot?
Regards.

 

[MattH89]

Good morning.
I'm having trouble with the OEM batteries on my RHO 2025. Yesterday afternoon, I coincidentally came across a metallic object. It must be electronic, since it has several harnesses located under the driver's seat. Its temperature is similar to an iron when the RHO is working. It's impossible to hold your hand on this metal because of the heat it generates.
From my point of view, if it's generating heat, it's consuming energy. Does anyone know what it is? Can someone touch it after fifteen minutes and tell me if it's super hot?
Regards.

Wild thought here but a pic might help people know what you're talking about.

 

[frogjbm]

4100 miles, zero issues until today when I went to start it and the fucking thing is dead. On a charger now. Have a dealer appointment Friday to check them and hopefully replace them. Fuck me

 

[eltaco]

Dang it. Just when it started to feel momentum had turned

I’m heading out elk hunting for the week. Hope she starts up when I return… otherwise I’m going to have a heck of a long walk back to civilization!

 

[MattH89]

4100 miles, zero issues until today when I went to start it and the fucking thing is dead. On a charger now. Have a dealer appointment Friday to check them and hopefully replace them. Fuck me

Haven't heard any updates on mine. Dropped off at 9a this morning

 

[MattH89]

4100 miles, zero issues until today when I went to start it and the fucking thing is dead. On a charger now. Have a dealer appointment Friday to check them and hopefully replace them. Fuck me

With yours was it fully dead or did the interior lights and chimes work and it just wouldn't turn over? Mine has never fully died, just won't start (3x now).

 

[AusputzerAri]

With yours was it fully dead or did the interior lights and chimes work and it just wouldn't turn over? Mine has never fully died, just won't start (3x now).

For me it was fully dead three times in 6 months. While two of those times I was driving the truck a few hours before that without issues. Three times they just put in new batteries. Still undecided what to do here. I got it on a solar charger now but I hate to have this big solar panel in my windshield when it’s parked. Anybody has some recommendations and advice for a good battery? And should I replace both batteries?

 

[MattH89]

For me it was fully dead three times in 6 months. While two of those times I was driving the truck a few hours before that without issues. Three times they just put in new batteries. Still undecided what to do here. I got it on a solar charger now but I hate to have this big solar panel in my windshield when it’s parked. Anybody has some recommendations and advice for a good battery? And should I replace both batteries?

They get one shot at replacing my batteries. As much as I love this truck I can trade it in for what I paid for it. I'm not dealing with wondering if I'm gonna be stranded.

I still think the vast majority of trucks are fine but if mine has turned into one that isn't, it's gone

 

[AusputzerAri]

I hear you Matt. The three times it didn’t start, the truck was in my driveway. Just called a tow truck and let RAM bear the costs every time. Used my wife’s car while the truck was in for battery replacement. So there wasn’t much inconvenience. But I’m going to go apeshit when I’m on a roadtrip and this happens again.
The only issue with my truck is the batteries. It could be a perfect truck without this. Not happy on spending $100 on a solar charger or a few hundred on a new battery. Shame on RAM that they can’t fix it. I’m just making it as expensive as possible for RAM every time the battery craps out.

 

[MattH89]

I hear you Matt. The three times it didn’t start, the truck was in my driveway. Just called a tow truck and let RAM bear the costs every time. Used my wife’s car while the truck was in for battery replacement. So there wasn’t much inconvenience. But I’m going to go apeshit when I’m on a roadtrip and this happens again.
The only issue with my truck is the batteries. It could be a perfect truck without this. Not happy on spending $100 on a solar charger or a few hundred on a new battery. Shame on RAM that they can’t fix it. I’m just making it as expensive as possible for RAM every time the battery craps out.

Yeah for sure. I've been able to jump it each time. Once was after pumping gas, other two at home. Just stressful when you're out and you push the button. That's not what I spent this amount of money for.

Agreed that otherwise it's a perfect truck. My favorite vehicle I've owned. Not giving up yet but dealer hasn't said boo in 8 hours which I don't feel like is a great sign

Edit: they just called said main battery failed testing secondary still in progress.

 

[RHO_Tres]

Yeah for sure. I've been able to jump it each time. Once was after pumping gas, other two at home. Just stressful when you're out and you push the button. That's not what I spent this amount of money for.

Agreed that otherwise it's a perfect truck. My favorite vehicle I've owned. Not giving up yet but dealer hasn't said boo in 8 hours which I don't feel like is a great sign

Just like you guys, my truck has died 3 times. The first I thought it was the issue with keeping the keys by the garage door while it was parked overnight, so I started putting them all the across the house in my bedroom. Then it dies again, but I thought that might be because I left it parked in the garage for 10-14 days and I read on here that that can drain the battery also. Finally, the third time it died, I jumped it and took it to the dealer and it's been there almost two weeks now. They tested both batteries and they said that they are fine but 1 of four modules is bad which is causing the battery drain?

Oh, and apparently one of the modules they need - ABS Module - 687-08521AB is on a national back order so they can't fix it and can't give me an ETA of when it will be fixed. So, I'm stuck driving my wife's suburban around. I love the truck, the engine has more than enough power, the transmission is great, and the interior is amazing, but I hate that everywhere I go I'm always worried if its going to start. And this is on a 2025 Ram RHO, Level 1, with only 4,400 miles on it. I purchased it this past January '25 from Mark Dodge.

I've started looking at Chevy 1500 ZR2's or even the Colorado ZR2's with the AEV package to replace it with if i can ever get it fixed.

 

[AusputzerAri]

Just like you guys, my truck has died 3 times. The first I thought it was the issue with keeping the keys by the garage door while it was parked overnight, so I started putting them all the across the house in my bedroom. Then it dies again, but I thought that might be because I left it parked in the garage for 10-14 days and I read on here that that can drain the battery also. Finally, the third time it died, I jumped it and took it to the dealer and it's been there almost two weeks now. They tested both batteries and they said that they are fine but 1 of four modules is bad which is causing the battery drain?

Oh, and apparently one of the modules they need - ABS Module - 687-08521AB is on a national back order so they can't fix it and can't give me an ETA of when it will be fixed. So, I'm stuck driving my wife's suburban around. I love the truck, the engine has more than enough power, the transmission is great, and the interior is amazing, but I hate that everywhere I go I'm always worried if its going to start. And this is on a 2025 Ram RHO, Level 1, with only 4,400 miles on it. I purchased it this past January '25 from Mark Dodge.

I've started looking at Chevy 1500 ZR2's or even the Colorado ZR2's with the AEV package to replace it with if i can ever get it fixed.

My truck has exactly the same specs as yours. Don’t tell me yours is a silver colored one as well!! I hope you get the truck on the road soon again, but it doesn’t sound good. Fingers crossed.
On one hand, I wished they would have troubleshot the truck at the dealer and maybe find the cause. But when I hear your story, no bueno. The dealer just told me the batteries are not the best and they see it all the time.
Can you get a loaner from them?