Check Guages light on and Electronic Throttle Control Light onle

[hwebster]

Both these lights are on with no codes thrown... Neither are flashing. . Posts found seem to point to alternator, batteries but nothing specific. . Any ideas?

Thanks Guys!

 

[KLauber]

I just changed my batteries on my 08 in May, they were original. Stop at your Advanced Auto or other store and have them gauge the batteries for free. The go to dealer to have him check the ETC light and hope its under warranty!

Ken

 

[hwebster]

Thanks Ken... Warranty? Whats that? Bought my truck in Texas. . So no warranty here in the REALLY HOT North!!!!

 

[KLauber]

What with all the MIA parts, we are the warranty, right?? Hot it is here in SC... 97 plus humidity.

Ken

 

[HBarlow]

You probably have a bad battery. My '08 had an early battery failure a few months ago and I replaced both. I've read of other '08s with early battery failure. Perhaps a bad batch of factory batteries.

The batteries in my '01 lasted five years or more.

 

[dlmetzger]

I too just replaced both OEM batteries on my 2008. Only passenger side was back, but replaced both.

 

[KLauber]

I too just replaced both OEM batteries on my 2008. Only passenger side was back, but replaced both.

Yep , my passenger side was the culprit, it had only 150 CCA when tested, so there might have been a drain somewhere. DOnt know since I bought it used, we'll see how long the new ones last with proper maintenance.



Ken

 

[hwebster]

Well 1/2 of the issue seems to be solved... Put a meter on the batteries and noticed I was only getting 11v to one of the batteries... on the other side of the cable that connects the two batteries together... 14v... cleaned up that connection and the check gauges light disappeared... now for the ETC light!!!

 

[HBarlow]

Harrison,

Don't get in a rush to get it to a dealer. Lots of those trouble codes will clear after a certain number of start/run/stop cycles. You may have already found and corrected the underlying problem.

 

[KLauber]

Exactly Harvey! I had a CEL pop up when I changed the batteries, (it was low voltage or something like that) and after a few runs to the grocery store it went away because the condition had been cured!

Ken

 

[HBarlow]

Exactly Harvey! I had a CEL pop up when I changed the batteries, (it was low voltage or something like that) and after a few runs to the grocery store it went away because the condition had been cured!

Ken

Good. I was thinking mine had also set a light that cleared later but wasn't certain.

I had a CEL three years ago that troubled me so I hooked up my fifthwheel and towed 300 miles to the selling dealer which also has a good service department. When I arrived in Gainesville, TX I dropped and hooked the trailer up to city services and started my truck to go out for dinner. The CEL was cleared! I had no CEL to show the tech at the dealer the following morning. Oh well, the CEL has never reappeared.

I learned the CEL had been created by software programming parameters set too tightly related to rail pressure. Not long after I took the truck to TDR member and Dodge dealership Cummins tech Mike Mullenax to run a reflash. I think the reflash corrected the parameters as well as many other minor issues.

That was the only problem I've ever had with this truck.

 

[RobertHiltz]

hwebster, It would still be a good idea to load test each battery, check battery grounds on the engine block, and ecm ground wire. To find various ground locations check the Official Dodge Site - Body Builder's Guide and look for the splice and ground locations menu item.

 

[hwebster]

THanks Guys... Hi Harvey How ya doing? 2nd light cleared the next day. In the end it was the connection between the two batteries. . I took the Dremel cleaned up the cable and done... Will probably put new batteries in before the snow flies!! Thanks;-)

 

[DBithell]

This is a great site for info. Got the check gauges and ETC light today for the first time on my '08. On the gauges volts were hardly registering at startup. Got new batteries less than a year ago. Figured it might be a loose terminal but wasn't. Next startup and all is well. Feel better haven read this thread. Possibly I turned the key too fast? or because got the curly Q aka wait to start for the heater grid, earlier in the day and ignored it as it's 70 degrees out. Don't know - but made it home and now light is out. Always something new.