Ram Drains Battery...But NO LIGHTS?

This big Cummins Diesel Dodge Ram is having some weird electrical issues. Customer's main complaint was a parasitic draw.
But what do you do if you can't recreate the problem?
Look for OTHER problems!
In they end they might all be related :)
Enjoy!
Ivan

[@howdy3840]

Thank you for the video! Good work on the diagnostics and repair! Questions: how does corrosion at a + wire causing parasitic draw? Thank you!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Great question! Since it was a high-resistance feed, the voltage at the cluster was much lower than battery voltage 12V. This causes electronics to do some very weird stuff, like oscillating between on and off, never falling asleep. By the time I got the truck, the wire was basically a complete open circuit, which is why no parasitic draw was recorded!

[@Spelter]

And to extend his answer: if the resistance of a wire increases, it will need more power for the Radio and in combination with the on/off switching problems of the modules, it will drain a battery faster because more Amps are needed for the same Voltage. Soldering can cause other problems and to prevent moisture to get into the pin again to cause trouble, I spray a little bit of wax into it to seal it.

[@publicmail2]

@@Spelter Sorry but your hypothesis is wrong, you assume the increase of resistance increases current draw which is not the case in this example. In this case the increase in resistance causes the circuit to miss the voltage to put it to sleep. This is more likely the scenario without the actual schematic.

[@Spelter]

@@publicmail2 oh, OK. I learned some time ago that when your device needs ie 12v and 1amp aka 12 watts, it would increase when there is a corroded wire and it would need ie 2 amps or 24 watts. In that case, the whole system is acting up because the drop of the power and surged as much as it could get to work properly, killed the battery while doing that. Of course it could be otherwise, I could learned a wrong thing there.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

@@Spelter think about the voltage drop across the green crusty, which decreases the available voltage for the intended load. The total steady current in the circuit would drop. However, since now the module can't go to sleep, you will end up with a parasitic draw 👍

[@Garth2011]

Perfect fix ! Time taken to investigate is mandatory to a high quality repair. No parts, just solder, cleaners and di-electric grease concluded the problems. More proof that the factory should be using di-electric grease more often with their poor terminations/crimps. The cause of this problem was poor design, nothing more.

[@brianw8963]

Ivan may not be a surgeon but he cured the Ram insomnia problem in typical Ivan fashion. I only had one slight beef with the job...….. You did not charge enough Ivan. Thanks again Brian W.

[@WCSPete1]

My OCD was screaming 'fix the bonnet (hood) light..'. That would have made a great bonus feature and allowed full closure for us 'special' types. Thanks Ivan.

[@robertlucero_rloosarow]

One of the best videos I've seen on troubleshooting parasitic draw. No ego, best of anything, just good ole fashioned troubleshooting. Thank you.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks Rob 🙂

[@baxrok2.]

No matter how many times I watch this kind of diagnosis, I find it absolutely amazing. Well done Ivan!

[@davidoickle1778]

Me as well and I understand very little. Fascinating though.

[@Santiago-je5ki]

Been binge watching all your videos, i always learn a little something from them.

[@robertm4914]

You Sir are a Great Tech! What a fine job. Truly a pleasure watching a pro in action!

[@ericstevenson3738]

36:42 What did we learn? Eliminate all possibilities and options before running a new wire. 😁 Great video Ivan.

[@lasegundaenmiendagmail8170]

Never buy Chrysler? Can be. But I remember a video you've done with a ...Toyota! Very similar I like these kinds of video cause for me find a short it's a real nightmare

[@stephendee7839]

Lol @ "oh, Chrysler." I noticed that the window controller in the door was broken. Dodge quality for sure.

[@Spelter]

Yeah I thought that too. Pushing a button and most of the control disappears

[@johnmac9055]

I noticed at 3:26 when you shut the engine off, the tach did not drop to 0. Nice work finding the problem. The OCD part of me was glad you did not have to run a wire and could find and fix the issue.

[@pakman422]

It was pretty imperative that he did because if not the green crusties would have kept growing and started infecting other circuits.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Good eye! I only noticed this after reviewing the camera footage :)

[@Texasknowhow]

John, I was thinking the same thing..."no, don't just run another wire over there... you can find this!" Good job to Ivan - he seems to always prevail!

[@DaveSender66]

Nice work Ivan very impressive and I admire your persistence. Wiring connectors and the associated wiring connection points seem to be the biggest problem in vehicles. Lesson reaffirmed pay close attention to visual inspection of any and all connectors on the vehicle. Ivan very much appreciate you taking the time and I'm sure it is a lot of time to make this video you are an awesome individual!!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thanks Dave! Can't believe that all the symptoms were tied to the same problem. It's like killing 10 birds with one stone! :)

[@henrydunbar397]

Good job Ivan. Saved another Chrysler TIPM/IPM from the green crustys, to die another day. A very helpful video for others chasing similar problems. Keep up the good work!

[@somerandomguy3868]

Well let's see, we knew you were good, we knew Chrysler can have wiring issues, so I guess we learned to be sure you have the right wire before splicing a jumper wire in to the harness, as always nice job Ivan and outside at night, you can't tell from this video but those of us who have tried this sort of thing know it's much harder in the dark

[@stevefleck5892]

Great diagnostic lesson Ivan. Things are rarely as they seem. Thank you for taking the time to produce this (and all) your video(s).

[@thetinpin]

Didn't really learn anything (we all know you kick ass)... but you did reaffirm that Rams are just shipping crates for Cummins diesels.

[@KevinF604]

Hahaha straight up

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

NPR! Amazing how often you can fix something with no extra down time, and no extra parts costs. Good as new Ivan!

[@n9wox]

6:11 Ah, Chrysler, and I thought Ivan was starting to swear.

[@larrybadger3482]

I was yelling at you to be very careful as you were fiddling around with the map lights as the passenger map light is also broken on my 2000 2500. Just as I was saying "don't hit that side too hard" … it broke off on you.

[@0386rm]

I thought so too!

[@MTorn]

It's swearing all right

[@Graham_Wideman]

Nice one, Ivan. A good demonstration of walking through some clear thinking.

[@joeb4405]

I really enjoy seeing how to track down a wiring probem. Great video Ivan.

[@mtebaldi1]

Wow, great work parasitic draw can be elusive and tricky to identify. Learned some great troubleshooting techniques on this

[@redbread9588]

Also 1 of your videos help me fix my no start on my van. It was the no start BMW I think. with the bad ignition switch. I definitely gave u props at the end of my video. So thanks.

[@zoneb609]

"Oh chrysler" that made all my week lol hahahahahahaha

[@PistonShack]

Indeed

[@opl500]

"Oh Chysler"

[@jeffshearer5125]

opl500 yup,my new cuss word

[@swainer8014]

My thoughts exactly. At the exact same time he said it. 😂

[@roxanneabbott8424]

Just now seeing this Ivan. Fixed my headlight traced to switch problem! Now fixing my fog lights, lol! Thank you for your step by step diagnostics, great video!!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Horray Roxanne! Time to celebrate! Feels good to finally figure it out :)

[@jamesatkinson6480]

I was a keen electronics hobbyist, and was given a cassette player/recorder (can you remember?) to repair a fault which presented as noise on playback, but when 'tapped', disappeared. I ended up finding a 'break' in the shielding earth wire leading to the record/playback head. It was difficult to access without total disassembly, so I soldered in a jumper wire along side the cluster.. Fixed.. I absolutely love your videos, as many electronic faults arise in the automotive field still needing our knowledge and experience...

[@JasonTheMunicipalMechanic]

The dimming of the lights is the vehicle doesn’t turn on the alternator in the first like 30 seconds while the grid heater is cycling on and off. If you watch the voltage gauge you will notice it. It does cause the engine sound to change as the relays come on and off with the electrical load

[@ryanhyde6237]

Know I'm a little late but, the lights and engine changing is the grid heater cycling. It cycles every time you restart and it draws lots of juice. Just FYI... good video!

[@stealthg35infiniti94]

Great job finding out your wire break,. As a fellow troubleshooter, you have great skills in logical diagnosis...Keep those Crusties at bay with Deoxit and Dyelectric grease.

[@Jpilgrim30]

Great video. I always like to find where the fault in the wire is. If a wire is broken somewhere then it’s possible there is also other wires damaged in that area as well. Depends on accessibility though I guess. There are some sections of harness that are near impossible to get to without major work like pulling an engine or something and a jumper wire would be ideal in those situations. I just like to put my eyes the problem area just to make sure there would be no possibility of the bare/broken wire shorting out on something and causing more damage.

[@Spelter]

That would be hell. Who designed it that way? I hated Ford on an Escape V6 3.0 for the Bank 1 Cat, replacing it is hell.

[@Anonymous-it5jw]

We learned that a dealership would likely have changed out the engine and the entire wiring harness to fix the problem.

[@rahrah8076]

Anonymous98 on my cousins moms Ford F-150 the dealership charged her $5000 for the whole harness and labour because they couldn’t find the short to ground

[@built4xploration253]

Thanks for making this video. I think I may have a draw on my 2015 Ram 2500. You have helped teach me the process for tracking it down.

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Corrosion. The damage it can do to wiring! Good fix!

[@chevboy167x8]

Great job sticking with the proper pin and fuse hunting. I like to drown every connector and pin with dielectric when I find and fix or even if I remove and reconnect any connection.

[@danmauney8394]

Great video and brilliant tracing of the wiring. Still the Czar Ivan in my book. Thanks Ivan!

[@markferraro5250]

great job Ivan merry merry happy 20/20 keep them coming we love them

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thank you for the kind words Mark!

[@happy543210]

"party mode"......oh, chrysler!!

[@danielc.3725]

Hmmmmm, party mode and pissed off mode, what about OMG mode, LMAFO MODE!!!! 😂🤣😄 , I'm sorry but you can't make this stuff up, you can't you just can't!!!!

[@johnherselman63]

I have just recently found your channel and am fascinated how you enjoy working in the dark.

[@davidgrisco1939]

I don't know about you, but I do my best work in the dark. 😋

[@fredc8618]

@@davidgrisco1939 gigidy

[@bigmac965]

Wait until summertime. He'll do it in the dark, and with no shirt on!

[@peterlworth]

Great patients at finding the fault and not just making the jumper. Wondering how big a hole do the wire probes make and how do you fill the holes. Thanks ivan

[@bgregg55]

only one seriously corroded wire in that large connector. that's life in the rust belt for you. & why I use so much silicone grease on my own vehicles.

[@dougkelley1266]

Knowledge and patience are what it takes to perform automotive wiring diags.

[@vincescalise4821]

Another great fix Ivan no parts required

[@brianmason1414]

That was an awesome find! Had a similar situation couple days ago on a Chevy Colorado,4x4 inop. Backprobing a wire @ xfer case cont mod I had power. Down @ shifting motor, I didn't. Like I said, BACKPROBING @ the module I had power, piercing the wire just off the mod, I didn't..... figured out the female terminal inside the plug had spread an lost connection. Again, AWESOME find! :)

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Wow great find Brian! Pin fitment issues can be the hardest to track down for sure.

[@anthonyfortunato4743]

Another great fix Ivan excellent work i love your videos keep em coming! 👏👍

[@milkman99100]

The bright and dimming is from the grid heater coming on and off!

[@danielc.3725]

milkman 99.100 + you are correct, my Dad has the similar truck but in the - MEGA CAB MODEL, when it is cold it does the cycling on and off until it reaches temperature and then it stops. But I did notice on his truck the battery on the left is being charged more then the one in the right, like 15 volts steady, I need to research on that to see if it is normal or what??

[@Okie-Tom]

Great detective work Ivan!

[@frugalprepper]

6:15 "Awe Chrysler" ROFLMAO

[@ericjudd3137]

Great job good catch love the videos keep them coming

[@danielc.3725]

Great find & FIX, NICE, VID. MR. PHAD!!! 👍 👌 👏

[@adamtrombino106]

Ivan presses the map light lense, and it falls off.. I had to laugh as a Dodge owner. GENTLY, Ivan! Treat them gently. BTW, good on you that you saved the tiny female connector. I keep them in stock, in 20-16 and 18 metric sizes. By the time I see them, they are generally toast and cannot be salvaged.

[@Blazer02LS]

That "weird slider deal" is so the vehicle can be parked on the lot with the hood open and the underhood light stays off and the fuse stays in the vehicle.

[@bostedtap8399]

Great job Ivan, brain cells fully utilized. Thanks for sharing.

[@jamesfenton7338]

I am so happy to live on the west coast, you can keep all those corroded vehicles. I have had a few come through here from your area, and they were real badly corroded everywhere. Dielectric keeps water out, I go through allot of it. Oregon has very wet conditions, but, not as much road salts. The big hazard in rural Oregon is not the water, it's the six foot deep, six foot wide ditch with no shoulder. If you blink, you will need a new vehicle, as the vehicle will almost always get overturned. Every few decades Dodge makes a mistake and produces a great vehicle, the older trucks were lacking the "Party Mode" crap, and I really like the 95 dually, it's been bulletproof.

[@cinquecento1985]

Bro how much patience do you have? amazing one.

[@travisarnold8872]

Excellent repair!

[@t-rodshader9593]

I had water in a wiper switch do this once, there is a bit of power in some cars backed to the column switches from things like the hazards. And it would randomly start going. Weirdest thing ever. Come to find out, it was nothing but a leak getting into the switch. I've seen quite a few vehicles with issues like this. Usually moisture/liquid related obviously in the corrosion issues.

[@mikefoehr235]

Man Ivan you are one smart cookie. I suppose a bad connector is easier to repair than a broken wire somewhere in a jungle of wires. I have a Tacoma and had wiring damages because of squirrels. If you are not aware...HONDA makes a special type of electrical tape that is an excellent deterrent against rodent damage. I had my local Toyota dealer tape all my underhood wiring with it.

[@JohnRodriguesPhotographer]

I'll be the first to admit the Fiat Ram is a good looking truck. Beyond that,,, well let's just say I wouldn't own one. Good fix Ivan!

[@mshine5]

What did we learn? That Ivan's the man! That's what!

[@LifeSavingDefense]

7 min in. Need to Check the i.o.d fuse.... now to watch rest of video ... found it at 14 min. Came back and found bad wire at 28-29 min. This fuse is for the cluster, radio, headlights etc memory or ability to turn on without the key in ignition and can be pulled up to temporarily stop battery draw. Can’t recommend wd40 on electrical. Use specific electrical cleaner etc. My son’s 2003 had no lights etc. Pulled the 51 fuse. It looked good but I put another one in anyway and system worked. Will check more in am. Also If you happen to see an ant in the fuse box they liked to live there and cause havoc. They Destroyed one in another truck .. same for water well contacts. 1 ant outside can mean thousands inside. Good detailed video. Recommend starting with fuse box first and note a good fuse will read on both sides even when wire is damaged or connection is buggered up

[@hrford8362]

excellent video and diagnostics

[@ganeshnarayan5505]

great fix Ivan.good job

[@memphisautodiagnostics4136]

NO PARTS REQUIRED

[@weldingjunkie]

Nice catch Ivan the green crusties strike again lol they love you. Happy holidays my friend

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Happy Holidays to you too, and thank you for the thoughtful comments :)

[@kevinbyrne4538]

Arg ! The dreaded green crusties ! Our hero prevails once again.

[@billrimmer5596]

As usual when Ivan is on the hunt, something is gonna get bagged. Tenacity is a virtue!!!

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Hi Bill! It's quite satisfying to be on the hunt for the green crusties :) Happy Holidays!

[@jamesatkinson6480]

Some years ago, when Ford Australia introduced the XD Falcon (much the standard 6 cylinder (V8 option) family car) in 1979, plastic components (fuel tank, instrument cluster, dash board) were extensively fitted. For the first time, extensive 'earthing' was required in the wiring loom which fed the lights, radio, instrument cluster, amongst other functional items. The design incorporated an additional 10 Amp earth lug to the negative of the battery, and when you replaced the battery, you happen to forget to connect it, as I'm sure a few 'DIY' owners did, the instrument cluster would 'flicker', giving false readings throughout, as it had a 10 Volt supply from a 12 Volt feed via a resistor in series with a 10 Volt zener diode.. I was called to try and fix it, and not before removing the instrument cluster, and the owner insisting the battery was correctly connected ("You know, it starts, so it must be right.."), I found the 10 Amp earth lug and connected it... Fixed....

[@ColinFisher]

“I’ve never done actual surgery “. Why not, Ivan? You’ve fixed everything else!

[@NewLevelAuto]

Because no parts required doesn't apply there 🤓

[@tam1381]

Nice video. Merry Xmas to you and your family.

[@PineHollowAutoDiagnostics]

Thank you Tam. Same to you!

[@littlehuey5679]

Great video and it helped me fix my problem! What is the program Where you get your wiring diagrams ?

[@aday1637]

I had a dodge pick em up for 11 years, purchased new. And I learned not to mess with the light switches inside or on the dash. If you did you could never figure out how to get them to go off by themselves or come on when you needed them. NEVER push the lights in to turn them off or they will not work in any setting. This overrides the smart light control system. Weird but true

[@makemake11]

Everyone should do what you do on KZbin you show how to check everything with issue good job I'm following this guy he's kewl have a good day RAMFAM#1

[@heyinway]

In dash connection problems also occur...bad solder joints and plastic wiring connectors that don't fit tight into circuit board connectors because of differing expansion rates in the plastic components, allows the metal connectors to chatter (make and break contact) International trucks had this problem and caused all sorts of weird results, including having the engine shutdown when the power to the electric fuel solenoid got interrupted. Loose connections and salt water corrosion do crazy things. Can't wait to see the results with electric vehicles versus road salt ! Any atmospheric venting of those electric motors will end up bad...very bad.

[@paniccg]

Watched the whole video that’s impressive man

[@davidswindell2604]

Outstanding video.

[@bryanwilliams4620]

It's amazing that losing connection on a single wire can cause so much havoc. Great work Ivan!

[@clapppn7034]

Thanks brudda ! Now we back jammin out on da road 💪🏽🥇🛫

[@mr__No]

This episode had a nice plot twist late in the third quarter.. 🤟🏻 🤣

[@martazkirkwood7612]

Thank you for the information and awesome video.

[@martazkirkwood7612]

I'm well aware of what he does I been following his videos for years now

[@chuckr8727]

"Oh, Chrysler !", hilarious.

[@iamblaineful]

Key Off before fix, tach at 500rpm. Once power was restored, tach below zero with Key Off. The BCM on Dodge Trucks/Rams were also dog turds causing various faults including headlights, interior lights, door locks, and power window issues in the Driver’s left footwell, lots of green crusties in those connectors.

[@revbikerbigd8664]

Nice job finding it. Son 04 Durango battery goes dead after sitting for 12 to 24 hours! New alternator and battery. Can't find the draw, your video may have given a few ideas!

[@gonzgarr1592]

Ivan nice you did it again

[@paulsullivan6392]

A huge amount of patience, perseverance and skill win the day. But NPR ? Seems to me the spritzes of Deoxit and the dab of solder ought to be worth $150. 😁 Just tugging your chain Ivan...well done as usual.

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

I know you're joking. Remember, the owner spent 3 weeks trying to solve this issue.

[@paulsullivan6392]

@@dans_Learning_Curve Yes...I recall Ivan saying that. Skills my friend...skills.

[@Starcrunch72]

6:11 "Oh, Chrysler.." lol....instantly reminded me of the original Death Race movie with David Caradine..."Jesus Chrysler!!!"

[@fsk1116]

great job my friend keep up the good work. nasty green boogers, of course, what else👍🌹.

[@toddmcafee]

Not just a fan of your diagnostic supremacy but that soup you made too!

[@greglopez7345]

Awesome job man

[@ismarmeskovic]

Great work !

[@davidgpo]

Nice detective work!

[@rrvallance]

Another great job.

[@Eastahtata]

I've had that exact wire break/corrode behind the battery from touching the battery bracket in a 1500. Same symptoms except there was no battery draw I don't think.

[@dmc543]

Great job did you fix fob working on doors or did it just work after wire repair I have same problem on Dodge Durango 2006 batteries dies but everything works ok except fob all fuses that have par draw on are all labeled Fcm where do I start

[@paulmuff9883]

We learned = your the man & thanks 👍👍😀

[@t-rodshader9593]

When I first seen this, I thought the radio because I noticed it didn't work. And radios can cause parasitic draw if it's having issues internally with power transistors because of the memory input being a power point on modern stereos. And ignition controlling the gate/base on internal MOSFET/Transistors. Same as computers. Third basic component of course would have been the alternator diodes. I see that a lot.

[@lawrencebush2603]

Good work.

[@bigchungus-oj8zz]

You are "THE MAN"..as long as you live within the contiguous United States, I’d like you to be my mechanic...subd.

[@hardies1]

Ivan, I just have to ask, Did you remember to hook the 2nd battery back up? You did not do it in the video.

[@PaulyD0859]

I’m having a hard time getting my head around how an open, caused by a corroded terminal, is causing an intermittent parasitic draw and killing the battery. I can’t help but believe you cured a problem other than the original concern.

[@volvo09]

Potentially, but throughout his entire diagnostic process no odd drains showed up which would indicate another issue... so it would be so random that he'll have to give it back to the customer and let him report back. But I believe he got it because this system is dependent on the cluster telling modules to go to sleep, so while this wire was making and breaking connection I'm betting the interior lights and other modules on the circuit kept coming on at random times throughout the night and randomly killing the battery. Notice how every time he gave the circuit power the lights inside came on, even with the doors closed and key out? That failing pin would act very similar and would keep resetting that 15min timer.

[@publicmail2]

@@volvo09 That is correct, it is preventing standby mode.

[@adamtrombino106]

I bet once he got com again, the truck had U codes for the BCM and/or cluster, thus proving the point that the cluster module couldn't go to sleep, and hence, the small draw.

[@brianw8963]

Yep I am happy customer truck been great since Ivan cured no sleep problem