Battery Replacement on '07 2500
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 706
Likes: 0
From: DFW, Texas
I really hope they aren't pro-rated because if so the dealer lied to me because I had one go bad at around 37000 miles and I asked.
I'd replace both because my passenger side was bad and both ended up being bad. I kept my driver's side as a spare for my boat because I thought it was still good (tested good without a load on it) and it was dead within a week just sitting on a work bench. If I hadn't replaced it I'd be in the same shape within a few months or a year with the truck throwing codes and having to take off early from work to get new batteries.
Load test that driver's side.
Also, IIRC someone said you can get size 65 batteries from the dealer for like $75. I bought Plantinums from Sears for $180 a piece with a 4 year free replacement 8 year pro rated warranty
.
I'd replace both because my passenger side was bad and both ended up being bad. I kept my driver's side as a spare for my boat because I thought it was still good (tested good without a load on it) and it was dead within a week just sitting on a work bench. If I hadn't replaced it I'd be in the same shape within a few months or a year with the truck throwing codes and having to take off early from work to get new batteries.
Load test that driver's side.
Also, IIRC someone said you can get size 65 batteries from the dealer for like $75. I bought Plantinums from Sears for $180 a piece with a 4 year free replacement 8 year pro rated warranty
.
Cummins Guru
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,191
Likes: 65
From: Sunny Southern California Land of Fruits and Nuts
Check battery connections, any corosion will cause overchaging the battery since the alt charges the passenger side battery first but the pcm senses voltage and temp on the drivers side battery. 
That's why the engineers make all the big bucks.
Check for any voltage drop across the positive battery terminals and always disconnect the ground cable first and reconnect it last. Recently had truck with this problem and alt burnt out because of battery bolt corrosion. Use battery corrosion protection after everything is nice and clean and tight. May save you a few $$$ later.
Read tsb may also apply to your truck.
SUBJECT:
Flash: Check Gauges Lamp Illuminates For Alternator Charging With DTC P2502, P2503,
or P2509
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control
Module (Cummins PCM) with new software.
MODELS:
2006 - 2007 (DH/D1) Ram Truck (2500 / 3500)
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 5.9L engine (sales code
ETH) built on or before November 29, 2006 (MDH 1129XX).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may experience the illumination of the “Check Gauges” lamp on the
instrument panel cluster. Inspection of the gauges may reveal that the battery charging
gauge may read in the 11 volt range rather than in the 14 volt range. There may not be a
Check Engine / Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
Further diagnosis may reveal the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) have been
set:
P2502 - Charging System Error - Diesel
P2503 - Charging System Output Low - Diesel
P2509 - Powerdown Data Lost Error - Diesel
DIAGNOSIS:
Using a Scan Tool (StarSCAN®) with the appropriate Diagnostic Procedures available in
TechCONNECT, verify all engine systems are functioning as designed. If DTCs are
present record them on the repair order and repair as necessary before proceeding further
with this bulletin.
If the vehicle operator describes or experiences the Symptom/Condition, perform the
Repair Procedure.
That's why the engineers make all the big bucks. Check for any voltage drop across the positive battery terminals and always disconnect the ground cable first and reconnect it last. Recently had truck with this problem and alt burnt out because of battery bolt corrosion. Use battery corrosion protection after everything is nice and clean and tight. May save you a few $$$ later.Read tsb may also apply to your truck.
SUBJECT:
Flash: Check Gauges Lamp Illuminates For Alternator Charging With DTC P2502, P2503,
or P2509
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves selectively erasing and reprogramming the Powertrain Control
Module (Cummins PCM) with new software.
MODELS:
2006 - 2007 (DH/D1) Ram Truck (2500 / 3500)
NOTE: This bulletin applies to vehicles equipped with a 5.9L engine (sales code
ETH) built on or before November 29, 2006 (MDH 1129XX).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
The customer may experience the illumination of the “Check Gauges” lamp on the
instrument panel cluster. Inspection of the gauges may reveal that the battery charging
gauge may read in the 11 volt range rather than in the 14 volt range. There may not be a
Check Engine / Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
Further diagnosis may reveal the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC's) have been
set:
P2502 - Charging System Error - Diesel
P2503 - Charging System Output Low - Diesel
P2509 - Powerdown Data Lost Error - Diesel
DIAGNOSIS:
Using a Scan Tool (StarSCAN®) with the appropriate Diagnostic Procedures available in
TechCONNECT, verify all engine systems are functioning as designed. If DTCs are
present record them on the repair order and repair as necessary before proceeding further
with this bulletin.
If the vehicle operator describes or experiences the Symptom/Condition, perform the
Repair Procedure.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: Castaic CA Winnemucca NV
I'm not sure I buy the truck charges one battery before the other. If memory serves me correctly the positive cables are directly connected at the positive terminal of one of the batteries. If so then they charge at the same time. It's not like a bucket water that only fills the second when the water hits the overflow valve.
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