2016 Ram 2500 check engine

only operate at a maximum speed of 5 MPH. Your
vehicle will require towing, see your authorized dealer
for service.
• Engine Will Not Restart Service DEF System See
Dealer — This message will display if DEF system
issue detected is not serviced during the allowed
period. Your engine will not restart unless your vehicle
is serviced by your authorized dealer. This message
will be displayed when under 1 mile until engine will
not start and each time the vehicle is started, and will
be continuously displayed. The message will be ac-
companied by a single chime. Your Malfunction Indi-
cator Light will be continuously illumined. We highly
recommend you drive to your nearest authorized
dealer if the message appears while engine is running.
NOTE: When this message is displayed, the engine can
still be started. However, the vehicle will only operate at
a maximum speed of 5 MPH.RAM Active Air System
Your vehicle is equipped with an advanced Ram Active
Air system that provides enhanced performance, espe-
cially when towing under demanding hot or high alti-
tude conditions. If the DID displays the message “Active
Airbox Service Required See Dealer”, vehicle perfor-
mance may be reduced until service is performed by an
authorized RAM dealer.
Fuel Filter Life Reset
The cluster will display the “Service Fuel Filter” message
when the fuel filter maintenance life is less than 5%. To
check the remaining fuel filter life, go to the “Fuel Filter
Life” screen in the “Vehicle Info” menu. When this
message appears, dealers should replace both frame
mounted and engine mounted fuel filters.
NOTE: Use the steering wheel EVIC controls for the
following procedure(s)
252 UNDERSTANDING YOUR INSTRUMENT PANEL

5. After engine start-up, check to see that there is oilpressure.
6. Allow the engine to idle about three minutes until the manifold heaters have completed the post-heat cycle.
7. Release the parking brake and drive.
NOTE:
• Engine idle speed will automatically increase to 1,000
RPM and engage the Variable Geometry Turbocharger
at low coolant temperatures to improve engine warm-
up.
• The engine may not automatically crank after the
engine Wait To Start telltale goes off if a door or the
hood is ajar.
• If the engine stalls, or if the ignition switch is left ON
for more than two minutes after the “Wait To Start
Light” goes out, reset the grid heaters by turning the ignition switch to the OFF position for at least five
seconds and then back ON. Repeat steps 1 through 7 of
“Keyless Enter-N-Go Starting Procedure – Engine
Manifold Air Temperature Below 66° F (19° C).”
Extreme Cold Weather
The Cummins diesel engine is equipped with several
features designed to assist cold weather starting and
operation:
•
The engine block heater is a resistance heater installed
in the water jacket of the engine just above and behind
the oil filter. It requires a 110–115 Volt AC electrical
outlet with a grounded, three-wire extension cord.
NOTE: The engine block heater cord is a factory installed
option. If your vehicle is not equipped, heater cords are
available from your authorized MOPAR dealer.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 265

CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time or starter motor damage may result. Turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position and wait at least
two minutes for the starter to cool before repeating
start procedure.
5. When the engine starts, release the key fob.
6. Check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.
7. Release the parking brake.
Starting Procedure — Engine Manifold Air
Temperature 0°F To 66°F (–18°C to 19°C)
NOTE: The temperature displayed in the Electronic
Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) or Driver Information
Display (DID) does not necessarily reflect the engine
manifold air temperature. Refer to “Electronic Vehicle
Information Center (EVIC)” or “Driver Information Dis-
play (DID)” in “Understanding Your Instrument Panel”
for further information. When engine temperatures fall
below 66°F (19°C) the “Wait To Start Light” will remain
on indicating the intake manifold heater system is active.
Follow the steps in the “Normal Starting” procedure
except:
1. The “Wait To Start” telltale will remain on for a period of time that varies depending on the engine tempera-
ture.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 267

2. While theWait To Start” telltale is on, the EVIC/DID
will additionally display a gauge or bar whose initial
length represents the full Wait To Starttime period.
Its length will decrease until it disappears when the
Wait To Start time has elapsed.
CAUTION!
If the “Water in Fuel Indicator Light” remains on, DO
NOT START engine before you drain the water from
the fuel filters to avoid engine damage. Refer to
“Maintenance Procedures/Draining Fuel/Water Sepa-
rator Filter” in “Maintaining Your Vehicle” for fur-
ther information.
3. After the “Wait To Start” telltale goes off, turn the ignition switch to the START position. Do not press the
accelerator during starting.
CAUTION!
Do not crank engine for more than 15 seconds at a
time or starter motor damage may result. Turn the
ignition switch to the OFF position and wait at least
two minutes for the starter to cool before repeating
start procedure.
4. After engine start-up, check that the oil pressure warning light has turned off.
5. Allow the engine to idle about three minutes until the manifold heaters have completed the post-heat cycle.
6. Release the parking brake and drive.
NOTE:
• Engine idle speed will automatically increase to 1,000
RPM and engage the Variable Geometry Turbocharger
at low coolant temperatures to improve engine warm-
up.
268 STARTING AND OPERATING

JUMP STARTING
WARNING!
•To prevent personal injury or damage to clothing,
do not allow battery fluid to contact eyes, skin or
fabrics. Do not lean over a battery when connecting
jumper cables or allow cable clamps to touch each
other. Keep open flames or sparks away from
battery vent holes. Always wear eye protection
when working with batteries.
• Do not use a booster battery or any other booster
source that has a greater than 12 Volt system, i.e., do
not use a 24 Volt power source.
NOTE: Replacement batteries should both be of equal
size to prevent damage to the vehicle’s charging system.
Your vehicle is equipped with two 12 Volt batteries. If it
becomes necessary to use a booster battery with jumper cables to start a vehicle’s engine because its batteries are
discharged, the following procedure should be used:
Set the parking brake and place an automatic transmis-
sion in PARK (or NEUTRAL for a manual transmission).
Turn off lights, heater and other electrical loads. Observe
charge indicator (if equipped) in both batteries. If the
indicator (if equipped) is light or yellow on either battery,
replace that battery.
CAUTION!
Use the jump start procedure only when the charge
indicator (if equipped) in both batteries is dark in the
center. Do not attempt jump starting when either
battery charge indicator (if equipped) is bright or
yellow. If the charge indicator (if equipped) has a
green dot in the center, failure to start is not due to a
discharged battery and cranking system should be
checked.
326 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES

Engine Oil
Checking Oil Level
To assure proper lubrication of your vehicle’s engine, the
engine oil must be maintained at the correct level. Check
the oil level at regular intervals. The best time to check
the oil level is before starting the engine after it has been
parked overnight. When checking oil after operating the
engine, first ensure the engine is at full operating tem-
perature, then wait for 30 minutes after engine shutdown
to check the oil.Checking the oil while the vehicle is on level ground will
improve the accuracy of the oil level readings. Add oil
Engine Oil Dipstick
1 — ADD Range
2—FullMark
3 — SAFE Range
336 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION!(Continued)
negative post. Battery posts are marked (+) positive
and negative (-) and are identified on the battery
case. Also, if a “fast charger” is used while the battery
is in vehicle, disconnect both vehicle battery cables
before connecting the charger to the battery. Do not
use a “fast charger” to provide starting voltage.
WARNING!
Battery posts, terminals, and related accessories con-
tain lead and lead compounds. Always wash hands
after handling the battery.
Battery Blanket Usage
A battery loses 60% of its cranking power as the battery
temperature decreases to 0°F (-18°). For the same de-
crease in temperature, the engine requires twice as much
power to crank at the same RPM. The use of 120 Volt AC powered battery blankets will greatly increase starting
capability at low temperatures. Suitable battery blankets
are available from your authorized MOPAR dealer.
Cooling System
WARNING!
You or others can be badly burned by hot engine
coolant (antifreeze) or steam from your radiator. If
you see or hear steam coming from under the hood,
do not open the hood until the radiator has had time
to cool. Never try to open a cooling system pressure
cap when the radiator is hot.
Engine Coolant Checks
Check the engine coolant (antifreeze) protection every 12
months (before the onset of freezing weather, where
applicable). If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or
rusty in appearance, the system should be drained,
354 MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE

flushed and refilled with fresh coolant. Check the front of
the A/C condenser (if equipped) or radiator for any
accumulation of bugs, leaves, etc. If dirty, clean by gently
spraying water from a garden hose vertically down the
face of the A/C condenser (if equipped) or the back of the
radiator core.
Check the engine cooling system hoses for brittle rubber,
cracking, tears, cuts and tightness of the connection at the
coolant recovery bottle and radiator. Inspect the entire
system for leaks.
With the engine at normal operating temperature (but
not running), check the cooling system pressure cap for
proper vacuum sealing by draining a small amount of
engine coolant (antifreeze) from the radiator drain cock.
The radiator drain cock is located in the lower radiator
tank. If the cap is sealing properly, the engine coolant(antifreeze) will begin to drain from the coolant expan-
sion bottle. DO NOT REMOVE THE COOLANT PRES-
SURE CAP WHEN THE COOLING SYSTEM IS HOT.
Cooling System — Drain Flush And Refill
If the engine coolant (antifreeze) is dirty or contains a
considerable amount of sediment, clean and flush with a
reliable cooling system cleaner. Follow with a thorough
rinsing to remove all deposits and chemicals. Properly
dispose of old engine coolant (antifreeze).
Refer to the “Maintenance Schedule” for the proper
maintenance intervals.
Selection Of Coolant
Refer to “Fluids, Lubricants, And Genuine Parts” in
“Maintaining Your Vehicle” for further information.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE 355