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Electrical issues 2020 R/T AWD

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stilltouraine

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2020 Durango R/T AWD
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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello...
brand new to this, so hopefully in the right place. I bought my 2020 R/T AWD Sept 2021, used. After our first snow, had electrical issues (a month after purchase)
Over about 4-5 months, she was in the shop 5 different times, totalling 11 weeks, for the "same" issues. They put new battery, was fine a couple weeks then dead. They replaced a computer piece... and then dead again... long story short the final visit they found a short in alternator and replaced it. Car has been great until now, a day after our first snow, she's dead again. She was making noises that sound like something is trying to turn on, and off, while I'm not in the car. Then it said to service the Electornic stability control... then engine light and other lights flashing. A few months back I noticed water had leaked onto my floor mat by the emergency brake. thought that was weird, but honestly didn't want to take back to dealer for fear it would be there an extended period of time. Not sure if that could somehow be related to the electrical issues. Anyone have any ideas???
I'm getting her back to the dealer on Monday. thank you for any advice
 
#2 ·
If you have a sunroof your drains from it may be clogged. That usually results in water inside the car and into the electronics behind the left footwell panel.
 
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#5 · (Edited)
Either the "new" battery has failed, or there is one or more computer modules not going to sleep.
Might also be some moisture in one of the underhood power distribution boxes, causing partial shorts/drains etc.

When you try to jump it, allow the jump vehicle to idle about 10 minutes before you attempt to start. Make sure that all things are turned off, as in lights/radio, etc. That way, all of the power will be available for the starter

Don
 
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#8 ·
Usually, a bad module/computer will not go to sleep as it should after a specified time period of inactivity has passed.
Make sure they flat bed it. Some tow folks don't know that am AWD vehicle cannot be towed from one end.

Don
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Got it!! thank you. She's in neutral now, ready for her tow tomorrow

Moose135 said:
Yes, there is a release under the center console arm rest. This is from my 2014, but I don't know that the design has changed much.

View attachment 123652

View attachment 123651
Click to expand...
Don Fox said:
Usually, a bad module/computer will not go to sleep as it should after a specified time period of inactivity has passed.
Make sure they flat bed it. Some tow folks don't know that am AWD vehicle cannot be towed from one end.

Don
Click to expand...
thank you for the advice on flat bed towing! AAA was going to send a "wheels up" truck, not a flat bed because at the time I contacted them, I didn't know how to get into neutral.... but I was able to do that, so they will send a flatbed 👍🏻
 
#10 ·
Flat bed or on a dolly is ok. Just so all 4 corners are off of the road.
Keep us posted on what they find.

Don
 
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Discussion starter · #12 ·
So it's been two weeks basically... i'm picking her up tomorrow. they can't find anything wrong!!? it doesn't "freeze" in bakersfield, so they can't duplicate the problems. Also, they did tell me that the car has an engine block heater installed. Maybe that will help??? idk. frustrated
 
#13 ·
stilltouraine said:
So it's been two weeks basically... i'm picking her up tomorrow. they can't find anything wrong!!? it doesn't "freeze" in bakersfield, so they can't duplicate the problems. Also, they did tell me that the car has an engine block heater installed. Maybe that will help??? idk. frustrated
Click to expand...
Hello,

Not sure if this will help you, Let me start by sharing my story, I have a 2014 D R/T with a sunroof (i know you said you don't have one). After a heavy rain when the car was sitting outside my wife and I took it out and it died on us after a mile. Fortunately, I was able to drive back home, it would turn on and drive then die again. I knew instantly that this had to be from the rain. I search the whole car and discovered wetness on the passenger side floorboard. It was under the weather mats. I pulled the carpet up and took off the kick panel and behold it was a white connector that was soaked in water. That connector (after some research) gave power and communication from the PCM to the rest of the car. I don't have the tools for electrical work, so the local dealer in my area cut the connector out and soldered them together.
If I were you, I would have the dealer or mechanic that's working on your vehicle look around in that floorboard for water and wet cords.

Good Luck,
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
RangoPower said:
Hello,

Not sure if this will help you, Let me start by sharing my story, I have a 2014 D R/T with a sunroof (i know you said you don't have one). After a heavy rain when the car was sitting outside my wife and I took it out and it died on us after a mile. Fortunately, I was able to drive back home, it would turn on and drive then die again. I knew instantly that this had to be from the rain. I search the whole car and discovered wetness on the passenger side floorboard. It was under the weather mats. I pulled the carpet up and took off the kick panel and behold it was a white connector that was soaked in water. That connector (after some research) gave power and communication from the PCM to the rest of the car. I don't have the tools for electrical work, so the local dealer in my area cut the connector out and soldered them together.
If I were you, I would have the dealer or mechanic that's working on your vehicle look around in that floorboard for water and wet cords.

Good Luck,
Click to expand...
thank you, i'll check that out
🙏🏻
 
Discussion starter · #16 · (Edited)
Good cold and rainy morning here.... went to start her up and dead as a doornail again!!
How is it that the dealer cannot find the issue?
we've had 2" of rain in the last 24 hours. temp hasn't gone below 32, so didn't think to plug in the core heater - plugged it in an hour ago and will hope it will help and try to jump it later.
Can anyone think of other ideas? if she goes to the shop i'll take her to a deferent dealership for fresh eyes

Got it jump started and ran it a bit and drove it. Turned it off and it has the infamous high pitch sound then goes through a cycle of clicking. i wish i could upload that here, maybe it would be something any one of you reading this would know :)

and the only service lights that stayed on are service AWD, and the stability control icon.

restarted her a few hours later... went fine. But wouldn't shut off!! seriously. what the heck.
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
After 19 1/2 weeks in and out of the shop with electrical issues since I got her in September of 2021... the culprit was FINALLY figured out today!!
My DD has been in the shop the last 2 weeks, and today I was told that when they replaced a USB port which was causing a battery draw, the central cluster went out. they traced that to find wires that had corrosion from water damage. they traced the water damage to a leak in (perhaps?) a broken seal in the windshield!
Grateful they seem to have found the issue... they are telling me they aren't sure it will be covered under warranty! I would argue that this issue has been going on since it was under factory warranty and never been able to be diagnosed. Any suggestions that could help my argument to get this covered??
 
#18 ·
Stick to your guns. Did you document the issue with the dealer when it was still under warranty? That information will still be in their system.
 
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Discussion starter · #19 ·
i do have all of the paperwork from each visit to the dealer. I switched dealerships hoping that new techs would figure it out and they did!
Are all dealerships connected with service records?
 
#20 ·
They should be but your copies are all that they should need.
 
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