2004 Dodge Ram 1500
Asked by Nick May 23, 2017 at 10:00 PM about the 2004 Dodge RAM 1500 Rumble Bee RWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Battery meter read 18v. Lights started flickering.
Didn't restart. Changed alternator, battery, checked
fuses..No luck.. hooked obd2 reader up. It couldn't
link and I know the reader works. Also the gear
indicator is not reading can see and shift the gears
but no indicator box. Lights and locks work. No fire
no turning over no noise while attempting to
start..Could it be the PCM? HELP!
4 Answers
no way you could show 18v...unless you have 2 batteries and you have mistakenly hooked them up in series rather than parallel
18 volts generally means the regulator in the alternator is bad and the alternator requires service or replacement. Make sure the grounds are tight and clean. PCM? it is possible. If the PCM is bad and it controls your alternator output the PCM could be bad. Check the cigarette lighter / power accessory fuse as many of the OBD ports are fused through that fuse. I have seen several defective alternators put out 18 volts. 18 volts is hard on the battery.
I only mentioned it showed it once but it actually should me 18v twice. Happened night before. I checked my belts and looked over the engine bay as the motor turned. Shut my truck off let it set for 5. Meter returned normal then the next day as I was going to work and it did it a second time as my lights flickered.
I replaced the battery and alternator. I checked most fuse not all. I will double check the fuse a second time now that the truck is home and weather has been more cooperative.
