RAM Owners - Steering wheel controls

namusmc65 · 01-01-2017, 08:17 AM

I have been having some intermittent problems with my RAM 2500 steering wheel controls. Looks like there are a lot of RAM owners on this forum. Have any of you been having any problems. Cruise control sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Those controls are on the right side. Electronic display unit controls are on left hand side. Sometimes work and sometimes doesn't. Same with controls on back of steering wheel. I am suspecting a bad control clock spring. Doing some research I found that there was a recall on units that were 2012-2014, but my unit is a 2015 RAM 2500. I have found others on the Cummins Forum with like issues going back to older models. Since my rig is under warranty, we will be making a trip to the dealer soon. I'm not sure I want to mess with the steering wheel with an explosive charge in there. LOL
Happy New Year to all.

Drifter1959 · 01-01-2017, 08:38 AM

I haven't had any issues with mine. Its a '16.
I didn't have problems with my '12 either but took it in for the recall.

robkelly · 01-01-2017, 09:16 AM

I haven't had any issues either, but like Drifter, mines also a '16

schrederman · 01-01-2017, 09:25 AM

Mine's a '14 and had a recall for steering-column wiring. My Cruise control was working one week and not the next. They had it 3 times to fix it and it turned out to be a clock spring in the ignition switch. For a while after I had intermittent problems with the button functions on the left side. However for the last 6 months or so I have had no problems other than the Blue Tooth not working with my cell phone. And... I hate to say it but all this little stuff and the very poor dealer service department makes me wish I'd stayed a Ford guy...

cariboocreek · 01-01-2017, 09:37 AM

My 2013 had the steering column wiring harness recall completed. I had no issues before or after the recall.

Bookemdanno · 01-01-2017, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cariboocreek

My 2013 had the steering column wiring harness recall completed. I had no issues before or after the recall.

+1...I have a '14.

ttavasc · 01-01-2017, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookemdanno

+1...I have a '14.

+2 - mine is a '14 as well. No trouble before or after steering column wiring recall.

Jayco Rich · 01-02-2017, 06:32 PM

That's about the only problem I didn't have with my 2014 Ram 6.4 2500, Ram customer service got me out of that one. My 8 month old 2016 Ram 3500 6.7 is fine so far. The 2010 Ram 5.4 1500 also had the steering wheel controls no problems.

spoon059 · 01-02-2017, 07:03 PM

My 2015 is fine, but I only have cruise control, no fancy radio or EVIC controls.

Vaquero · 01-02-2017, 09:06 PM

2015.
No issues.

3'senough · 01-03-2017, 09:10 AM

14 with the recall for steering column wiring completed at about 22K. To date I have not had any issues with the controls on either side or with the rear radio controls either. I use them frequently, especially when towing.

Camper_bob · 01-03-2017, 09:36 AM

Mine's a '15 and I've had no issues.

I've contemplated upgrading the head unit and installing the steering wheel audio controls, but have not had the room in my budget for that yet.

namusmc65 · 01-04-2017, 01:51 PM

As for an update, stopped by local RAM dealer and they read the diagnostics. He said it was not the clock spring but rather a bad connection/relay somewhere. He wished it had been the clock spring. This will take a little time to trouble shoot so we have an appointment to take it in next week. In the mean time, I am going to look to see if I can find the fuse for the horn and the relay and wiggle them around.

Mangort1900 · 01-04-2017, 11:57 PM

2016 no issues , I have to ask why would you even think of fixing it yourself when it's under Warranty ? That's why you bought a new unit. You already paid once when you bought the rig.

namusmc65 · 01-05-2017, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mangort1900

2016 no issues , I have to ask why would you even think of fixing it yourself when it's under Warranty ? That's why you bought a new unit. You already paid once when you bought the rig.

If the clock spring needed to be replaced, it would be done under warranty. However, if I can avoid a couple hours or more of shop time, even under warranty, I will do that. Just going to check and see if a fuse might be loose or relay or either one is bad. If that is something I can do, I will do it. I have documented my problem also by filing a complaint with NHTSA and reading about all the problems with the clock spring and relays in previous models. It's a 60 mile drive to a RAM dealer where I am and then several hours of shop time. I guess I'm just trying to free up any of my time that I can. It will be documented though. Thanks to all who have replied to this thread.

Camper_bob · 01-05-2017, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namusmc65

If the clock spring needed to be replaced, it would be done under warranty. However, if I can avoid a couple hours or more of shop time, even under warranty, I will do that. Just going to check and see if a fuse might be loose or relay or either one is bad. If that is something I can do, I will do it. I have documented my problem also by filing a complaint with NHTSA and reading about all the problems with the clock spring and relays in previous models. It's a 60 mile drive to a RAM dealer where I am and then several hours of shop time. I guess I'm just trying to free up any of my time that I can. It will be documented though. Thanks to all who have replied to this thread.

I totally get that.

Last time I needed to take mine into the dealership, I had to drop it off and was going to have to leave it over night just for them to even READ a trouble code for a MIL. It ended up being a simple emissions problem, and they had my truck fixed, flashed the appropriate computers, and back to me in a couple hours. It's a pretty major inconvenience for most people to lose access to their vehicle for even a few hours, and especially when the dealership is so far away. I'm lucky that I work with my wife, and we have easy access to our second vehicle; most are not so lucky and end up having to take off work to deal with the dealership, and that costs money. If it's something simple that I can fix, I will forego the warranty repair in most cases just to avoid the hassle.

richie t · 01-06-2017, 08:04 AM

I have the 2015 Ram 2500 and haven't had any of those issues. Hopefully the dealer can rectify your problem. Good luck.

Bookemdanno · 01-06-2017, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namusmc65

If the clock spring needed to be replaced, it would be done under warranty. However, if I can avoid a couple hours or more of shop time, even under warranty, I will do that. Just going to check and see if a fuse might be loose or relay or either one is bad. If that is something I can do, I will do it. I have documented my problem also by filing a complaint with NHTSA and reading about all the problems with the clock spring and relays in previous models. It's a 60 mile drive to a RAM dealer where I am and then several hours of shop time. I guess I'm just trying to free up any of my time that I can. It will be documented though. Thanks to all who have replied to this thread.

Let us know how it turns out. I know it's a a pain in the a$%, but I'm hopeful that everything works out for you!

NY RVer · 01-06-2017, 05:26 PM

I have a 2016, but only for 7 months, and no issues yet, with that anyway. Had my outside temp reading 79 deg the other day while it was 35 deg, but I unplugged and plugged the sensor in a few times and seemed to go back where it belonged by end of day. Good luck with your issue, and let us know what it was.

Mangort1900 · 01-07-2017, 05:53 AM

I understand what you saying , I am fortunate in the fact I am close to Dealer .

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