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Starting - Service Information: Other RAM Pickup 2500

Starter 8 illustrations ~1682 words

REMOTE STARTING SYSTEM

The remote starting system will allow the vehicle to be started from distances of up to approximately 300 feet away from the vehicle. It operates using the remote keyless entry key fob which is part of your ignition key.

In order to remote start your vehicle, the hood and all the doors must be closed.

To remote start your vehicle, press the REMOTE START button on the key fob twice within three seconds. To indicate that the vehicle is about to start, the parking lights will flash and the horn will sound briefly.

Once the vehicle has started, the engine will run for 15 minutes. To cancel remote start, press the REMOTE START button once.

The parking lamps will remain illuminated to indicate that the vehicle has remote started and the engine is running. The lamps will turn off when the ignition is turned to RUN or the remote start is cancelled.

To enter the vehicle while the engine is running during a remote start, you must first unlock the vehicle using the UNLOCK button on the key fob. After the vehicle is unlocked, you have 60 seconds to enter the vehicle, insert the key in the Ignition and move it to the RUN position, otherwise the engine will cancel remote start and automatically turn off.

Remote start will also cancel if any of the following occur

  1. If the engine stalls or RPM exceeds 2500
  2. Any engine warning lamps come on
  3. The hood is opened
  4. The hazard switch is pressed
  5. The transmission is moved out of park
  6. The brake pedal is pressed.

The vehicle can be started remotely up to a maximum of two times. The vehicle is also allowed a maximum of one failed start. This is where the remote start sequence was initiated but the engine stopped cranking without starting. After either of these conditions, or if the Vehicle Theft Alarm is alarming, or if the PANIC button was pressed, the vehicle must be reset by inserting a valid key into the ignition and moving it to the RUN position, then back to LOCK.

REMOTE START SYSTEM

Before attempting to diagnose a problem with the remote starting system, first be sure the starter motor and starter solenoid are working properly. The starter should operate with the use of the standard ignition key in the ignition switch. Any starter or solenoid problems must be repaired first.

Also be sure the engine will easily start and run with the use of the standard ignition key in the ignition switch. Any engine running, idling or driveability problems must be repaired first.

Also note that the remote start system will automatically be cancelled if any of the following occur

  1. IF THE ENGINE STALLS OR RPM EXCEEDS 2500
  2. NORMAL TIME OUT RUN MODE (15 MINUTES)
  3. CUSTOMER MOVES IGNITION INTO RUN/START
  4. ANY VEHICLE DOOR AJAR
  5. TRUNK/LIFTGATE AJAR
  6. HOOD AJAR
  7. START COUNTER REACHED
  8. LOW RPM SHUTDOWN
  9. KEY IN IGNITION
  10. BRAKE PRESSED
  11. THE HAZARD SWITCH IS PRESSED
  12. NOT IN PARK OR NEUTRAL
  13. VEHICLE SPEED HIGH
  14. VTA ALARM TRIGGERED
  15. PANIC MODE ACTIVATED
  16. BATTERY VOLTAGE HIGH
  17. BATTERY VOLTAGE LOW
  18. LOSS OF BATTERY VOLTAGE
  19. MIL ON
  20. LOW OIL PRESSURE
  21. COOLANT TEMPERATURE HIGH
  22. CRANK NO START
  23. RKE OFF MESSAGE
  24. VEHICLE NOT CONFIGURED
  25. HOOD SWITCH NOT INSTALLED OR INOPERATIVE
  26. NO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
  27. INVALID KEY
  28. IGNITION SNA
  29. IGNITION NOT IN LOCK
  30. VEHICLE IN SHIPPING MODE
  31. VEHICLE NOT PROGRAMMED

If all of the previous items checked OK, and the remote starting system will not operate, refer to Diagnosis and Testing .

STARTING SYSTEM

The battery, starting, and charging systems operate in conjunction with one another, and must be tested as a complete system. For correct starting/charging system operation, all of the components involved in these three systems must perform within specifications.

CONDITIONPOSSIBLE CAUSECORRECTION
STARTER FAILS TO OPERATE1. Battery discharged or inoperative1. Charge and test battery. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing . Replace battery, if required.
2. Starter motor or solenoid inoperative2. Test the starter motor and solenoid. Refer to STARTER , Diagnosis and Testing . Replace starter motor, if required.
3. Starter relay inoperative3. See appropriate Wiring Information. Test and replace the starter relay, if required
4. Clutch pedal position switch inoperative (if equipped with manual transmission)4. See Clutch Pedal Position Switch. Test and adjust or replace switch, if required.
5. Park/Neutral position switch inoperative (if equipped with automatic transmission)5. See Park/Neutral Position Switch. Test and adjust or replace switch, if required.
6. Ignition switch inoperative6. Test the Ignition Switch and Key Lock Cylinder. Replace ignition switch if required.
7. Starting circuit wiring inoperative7. See appropriate Wiring Information. Test and repair starter feed and/or control circuits, if required.
STARTER ENGAGES, BUT FAILS TO TURN ENGINE1. Battery discharged or inoperative1. Charge and test battery. Refer to Diagnosis and Testing . Replace battery if required.
2. Starter motor or solenoid inoperative2. Test the starter motor and solenoid. Refer to STARTER , Diagnosis and Testing . Replace starter motor if required.
3. Starting circuit wiring inoperative3. See appropriate Wiring Information. Test and repair starter feed and/or control circuits, if required.
4. Engine seized4. See 9 - Engine. Test and repair engine as required.
STARTER ENGAGES, BUT THEN DISENGAGES BEFORE ENGINE STARTS1. Starter motor or solenoid inoperative1. Test the starter motor and solenoid. Refer to STARTER , Diagnosis and Testing . Replace starter motor, if required.
2. Starter ring gear damaged2. Remove starter motor and inspect starter ring gear. Refer to STARTER , Removal . Replace starter ring gear, if required.
STARTER DOES NOT DISENGAGE1. Starter motor incorrectly installed or solenoid inoperative1. Inspect and test the starter motor and solenoid. Refer to STARTER , Diagnosis and Testing . Replace starter motor, if required.
2. Starter relay inoperative2. See appropriate Wiring Information. Test and replace the starter relay, if required.
3. Ignition switch inoperative3. Test the Ignition Switch and Key Lock Cylinder. Replace ignition switch, if required.

STARTING SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS

Starter Motor
Engine Application3.7L / 4.7L Gas Powered5.7L Gas Powered
Power Rating1.2 Kilowatt1.4 Kilowatt / 1.9 Horsepower
* Cranking Amperage Draw Test100 - 200 Amperes125 - 250 Amperes
* Test at operating temperature. Cold engine, tight (new) engine, or heavy oil will increase starter amperage draw.

STARTER SOLENOID

Note. Certain vehicles with certain engines may require starter motor removal for the following test.

Scheme 12

Scheme 12: STARTER SOLENOID
Scheme 12: STARTER SOLENOID
  1. If necessary, remove starter motor from vehicle. Refer to Starter Motor «Removal»(ref-457802-S39254669482012030200000) and «Installation»(ref-457802-S22328630612012030200000) .
  2. Disconnect solenoid connector wiring from starter motor.
  3. Check for continuity between solenoid terminal (2) and solenoid case (3). There should be continuity. If not OK, replace faulty starter motor assembly.

Scheme 13

Scheme 13: 3.7L / 4.7L
Scheme 13: 3.7L / 4.7L

Scheme 14

Scheme 14
Scheme 14
  1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
  2. Raise and support the vehicle.
  3. Note: If equipped with 4WD and certain transmissions, a support bracket is used between front axle and side of transmission. Remove two support bracket bolts at the transmission. Pry the support bracket slightly to gain access to the lower starter mounting bolt. 1 - EYELET TERMINAL 2 - NUT 3 - BRACKET 4 - STUD 5 - STARTER MOTOR 6 - LOCK WASHER 7 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR 8 - NUT 9 - SCREW AND WASHER (2)
  4. Remove the one bolt and one nut if equipped with a manual transmission (Scheme 13) 1 - EYELET TERMINAL 2 - NUT 3 - SCREW AND WASHER (2) 4 - STARTER MOTOR 5 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
  5. Remove the two bolts if equipped with an automatic transmission (Scheme 14)
  6. Move the starter motor towards the front of vehicle far enough for the nose of the starter pinion housing to clear the housing. Always support the starter motor during this process, do not let the starter motor hang from the wire harness.
  7. Tilt the nose downwards and lower the starter motor far enough to access and remove the nut that secures the battery positive cable connector eyelet to the solenoid battery terminal stud. Do not let the starter motor hang from the wire harness.
  8. Remove the battery positive cable connector eyelet from the solenoid battery terminal stud.
  9. Disconnect the battery positive cable connector from the solenoid terminal connector receptacle.
  10. Remove the starter motor.

Scheme 15

Scheme 15: 5.7L
Scheme 15: 5.7L

Scheme 16

Scheme 16
Scheme 16
  1. Disconnect and isolate the negative battery cable.
  2. Raise and support the vehicle.
  3. Note: If equipped with 4WD and certain transmissions, a support bracket is used between front axle and side of transmission. Remove 2 support bracket bolts at transmission. Pry support bracket slightly to gain access to lower starter mounting bolt.
  4. Remove the two mounting bolts (2).
  5. Move the starter motor towards front of vehicle far enough for the nose of the starter pinion housing to clear the housing. Always support the starter motor during this process, do not let the starter motor hang from wire harness.
  6. Tilt nose the downwards and lower starter motor far enough to access and remove the nut that secures the battery positive cable wire harness connector to the solenoid battery terminal stud. Do not let the starter motor hang from the wire harness.
  7. Remove the battery positive cable wire harness connector eyelet (3) from the solenoid battery terminal stud.
  8. Disconnect the battery positive cable wire harness connector from the solenoid terminal connector receptacle.
  9. Remove the starter motor.

Scheme 17

Scheme 17: 5.9L Diesel
Scheme 17: 5.9L Diesel

Scheme 18

Scheme 18
Scheme 18
  1. Disconnect and isolate both negative battery cables at both batteries.
  2. Raise and support vehicle. 1 - MOUNTING BOLTS (3) 2 - STARTER MOTOR 3 - SPACER (CERTAIN TRANSMISSIONS)
  3. Remove 3 starter mounting bolts (Scheme 17)
  4. Move starter motor towards front of vehicle far enough for nose of starter pinion housing to clear housing. Always support starter motor during this process. Do not let starter motor hang from wire harness.
  5. Tilt nose downwards and lower starter motor far enough to access and remove nuts securing starter wiring harness to starter (Scheme 18) Do not let starter motor hang from wire harness. 1 - STARTER MOTOR 2 - BATTERY CABLE NUT 3 - SOLENOID NUT 4 - HARNESS ASSEMBLY
  6. Remove starter motor from engine. Note: Certain diesel engines use an aluminum spacer (Scheme 17) Note position and orientation of spacer before removal.

Scheme 19

Scheme 19: 6.7L Diesel
Scheme 19: 6.7L Diesel
  1. Disconnect and isolate both negative battery cables at both batteries.
  2. Raise and support vehicle. 1 - BATTERY CABLE 2 - BATT. CABLE MOUNTING NUT 3 - SOLENOID CONNECTOR 4 - MOUNTING BOLTS (3)
  3. Disconnect solenoid electrical connector (3).
  4. Remove battery cable mounting nut (2).
  5. Remove battery cable (1) from stud.
  6. Remove three starter mounting bolts (4).
  7. Remove starter motor from engine.

3.7L / 4.7L

  1. Connect the solenoid wire to the starter motor (snaps on).
  2. Position the battery cable to the solenoid stud. Install and tighten the battery cable eyelet nut to 13 N.m (10 ft. lbs.). Do not allow the starter motor to hang from the wire harness.
  3. Position the starter motor to the transmission.
  4. If equipped with a automatic transmission, slide the cooler tube bracket into position.
  5. Install and tighten both bolts (auto. trans.), or one nut and one bolt (man. trans.) to 50 ft. lbs. (68 N.m).
  6. Lower the vehicle.
  7. Connect the negative battery cable.

5.7L

  1. Connect the solenoid wire to starter motor (snaps on).
  2. Position the battery cable to the solenoid stud. Install and tighten the battery cable eyelet nut to 13 N.m (10 ft. lbs.). Do not allow the starter motor to hang from the wire harness.
  3. Position the starter motor to engine.
  4. If equipped with automatic transmission, slide the cooler tube bracket into position.
  5. Install and tighten both mounting bolts. Tighten to 68 N.m (50 ft. lbs.).
  6. Lower the vehicle.
  7. Connect the negative battery cable.

5.9L Diesel

  1. If Equipped: Position and hold aluminum spacer to rear of starter while positioning starter to engine.
  2. Connect solenoid wire to starter motor. Tighten nut to 4.4 ft. lbs. (6 N.m).
  3. Position battery cable to starter stud. Install and tighten battery cable nut to 10.3 ft. lbs. (14 N.m). Do not allow starter motor to hang from wire harness.
  4. Position starter motor to transmission.
  5. If equipped with automatic transmission, slide cooler tube bracket into position.
  6. Install and tighten 3 starter mounting bolts to 32 ft. lbs. (43 N.m).
  7. Lower vehicle.
  8. Connect both negative battery cables to both batteries.

6.7L Diesel

  1. Connect solenoid wire to starter motor. Tighten nut to 4.4 ft. lbs. (6 N.m).
  2. Position battery cable to starter stud. Install and tighten battery cable nut to 10.3 ft. lbs. (14 N.m). Do not allow starter motor to hang from wire harness.
  3. Position starter motor to transmission.
  4. Install and tighten 3 starter mounting bolts to 32 ft. lbs. (43 N.m).
  5. Lower vehicle.
  6. Connect both negative battery cables to both batteries.

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