Occasional starting problem!

[ARedmon]

Every now and then, my 2014 RAM Laramie Longhorn Diesel Dually won't start when I turn the key. The PRNDL transmission position letters in the dash light up yellow instead of the usual white color. So far, I have always been able to get it to start after some frustration and fiddling with the shifter, brake pedal, etc. Then, it will suddenly start and the PRNDL letters will go back to their usual white color. Does anyone know what the heck is going on?!?

 

[gsbrockman]

Possible park range sensor.

 

[jetmechabq]

any fault codes? do you have a scanner to check for codes after a failed attempt and before a successful start?

 

[sag2]

You need to read the codes. An inexpensive reader may not read all the different modules. Best bey is to have the dealer run and print a vehicle scan report.

 

[Hoefler]

How old are the batterries? If original replace.

 

[Randomrunner12]

I will say on the battery side that if your abs light keeps coming on and off randomly then your passenger battery is bad and needs replacing. I learned this a while back when trying to figure out why my abs kept coming on when driving in a straight line on dry roads at 45mph. it would go off when i turned. I started looking at everything thing check the batteries and the pass was at 9v so I replaced it and problem gone.

 

[Cummins12V98]

If OE now days thems sum OLD batteries!

 

[CEppinger]

Mine has done this 5 or 6 times in the last year, usually when I'm stopped and do not move the shift lever with a deliberately movement. Then I do move the lever more deliberately it is fine and no more problems. There do not seem to be any codes set when when this occurs, just the yellow shift indicator. If it becomes worse/more frequent/repeatable I may take to dealer. Otherwise just wait for a recall. 56k miles currently.

 

[gsbrockman]

Mine has done this 5 or 6 times in the last year, usually when I'm stopped and do not move the shift lever with a deliberately movement. Then I do move the lever more deliberately it is fine and no more problems. There do not seem to be any codes set when when this occurs, just the yellow shift indicator. If it becomes worse/more frequent/repeatable I may take to dealer. Otherwise just wait for a recall. 56k miles currently.

A couple of times on my 2014 RAM 3500.......I had to get out and push the truck a little to engage the parking pawl. After the distinct “click” was heard.....it would always start without issue. Seems like parking on almost dead level always seemed to cause the issue.....at least for me.

 

[ARedmon]

Thanks guys. I'll ponder on these replys!

 

[ARedmon]

There's never been a fault or engine light indication of a problem; only the yellow lit PRNDL indicator lights. Would a code reader still find something? The batteries are the originals but there's never been any indication that the batteries are weak. It normally turns over really good, even after sitting without starting for a few weeks. I'm inclined to believe that it has something to do with the "PARK" sensor or whatever it is that doesn't let it start without being fully in PARK mode. The reason I think that is that a few times that it's done this "no-start" thing, after trying to start it with the key and failing, I'd push the transmission shift lever back toward the dash and the tip start feature would start the truck without touching the key again. BUT, that doesn't always work when this happens! By the way, the truck is a 2014 but it only has 29,000 miles on it because we mainly use it as a tow vehicle for our 5th Wheel camper.

 

[Hoefler]

It is the batteries, have them load tested, you will have one bad for sure and the other one close to it. Weird things like you are experiencing are classic indicators. Been there, done that.

 

[HPSimpson]

I agree those batteries are 6 years old to replace both at same time, as many times older batteries cause all sort of odd problems.

 

[SnoKing]

There's never been a fault or engine light indication of a problem; only the yellow lit PRNDL indicator lights. Would a code reader still find something? The batteries are the originals but there's never been any indication that the batteries are weak. It normally turns over really good, even after sitting without starting for a few weeks. I'm inclined to believe that it has something to do with the "PARK" sensor or whatever it is that doesn't let it start without being fully in PARK mode. The reason I think that is that a few times that it's done this "no-start" thing, after trying to start it with the key and failing, I'd push the transmission shift lever back toward the dash and the tip start feature would start the truck without touching the key again. BUT, that doesn't always work when this happens! By the way, the truck is a 2014 but it only has 29,000 miles on it because we mainly use it as a tow vehicle for our 5th Wheel camper.

Does it try to start and abort the start? Like the starter clicks in and then drops out? That is weak batteries, these new truck will not crack slow, they abort the start. You are pass due for new batteries!

 

[EDankievitch]

My 13 will at times forget to turn it self on. Example unlock door get in dash is dead. Turn key nothing. Only way to get it going is to hit the lock in lock buttons on the key fob a few times until it wakes up. I’ve been to the dealer, they pulled a few communication codes. Reflagged it a few times. Always the same results. It will play nice for months then just forget to wake up. No. Reason. Got to Love FCA electronics and software.

 

[ARedmon]

When it does this "non-start" thing, it doesn't do anything when the key is turned on. No click; no turning over and stopping; nothing; complete silence. The PRNDL indicators on the dash light up yellow instead of white which surely must mean something but I haven't been able to find anything about that in the manual. It also won't shift out of the Park position when it does this. Could it still be the batteries, even though, most of the time, it starts just fine? Sometimes, when its' done this, after turning the key and getting silence, you can push the transmission shifter toward the dash and it starts. And then sometimes that doesn't work! It's weird! I would think that the PRNDL indicator lights being yellow whenever this "non-start" situation happens, surely means something but I can't find any info about what that means. If the PRNDL indicators are glowing white, as they should, it starts right up!

 

[jhenderson]

Sounds like Brockman is on the right track.

 

[SnoKing]

Sounds like Brockman is on the right track.

Might be, however batteries are on a death watch based on others experience including mine.

 

[gsbrockman]

Sounds like Brockman is on the right track.

Glad someone acknowledges this......

 

[Cummins12V98]

Glad someone acknowledges this......

Someone has to throw you a bone occasionally.