I have a 2011 dodge ram 1500 quad cab. 5.7 hemi V8. Truck died on me today. I thought it was the battery because it was a 5 year old battery so i thought no big deal. Got it replaced with a brand new battery. It still wont start. It wont turn or crank but if you open the door, interior lights come on, when i put the key in and turn it, i can put it in neutral or park. Dash lights come on. I wont have an opportunity to get it to a mechanic as soon as i would like so im hoping someone can give me some ideas what to look for?

 

Check all the battery, alternator and starter connections. Make sure they are clean and tight.

 

Hi ichaos41,
We certainly understand why this may be concerning. We kindly recommend having your dealer inspect this concern for you as they are in the best position to assist.

Rob
Dodge Cares

 

Ok, so... i didnt take it to the dealership, just a local auto repair shop. And they said my spare key i sent with it when it was towed will not do anything for the vehicle that i need the original key/key fob. Well, when i bought this truck I only got the two keys. no key fob. The doors are not unlockable via electric remote? Because ive only ever been able to use my key to physically unlock the door. Now im wondering, do i need the key fob? Or is there an actual chip battery in my key i use that needs replaced in order to start the truck. If that's the case, ive been trying to find out how to replace that battery but it all looks to be one solid piece of molded plastic over the key.

I apologize if im not making sense, im not entirely sure i understand it myself.

 

No battery in the key.

Is the security lite in the dash on?

 

Its good to know theres no battery in the key.

I would like to mark this thread as resolved. It turned out the starter went bad. Truck has 121k miles so that's understandable.

This thing with the key though... Could i buy a key fob and it will lock/unlock my doors? I always assumed since i didnt get a key fob when i bought it, it didnt have electronic lock/unlock

 

See if you have remote keyless entry. If you do, then you should be able to get fobs, and have them programmed to the truck.

 

How do i find out if my truck has remote keyless entry?

 

Go here, feed it your vin, and it will tell you everything your truck came from the factory with.

 

Hey You, thanks for that link! Thats actually pretty handy! ive bookmarked it for future reference. So, i saw it has Sentry key theft deterrent system which i am assuming is the panic button on the key fob. When i looked up key fobs to buy for my truck i see two versions, a 3 button or a 4 button. The 4 button has remote start, which, if i have it, would be reallllly nice lol. I doubt i have it and i plan on talking to a dodge dealership when i can to find out if i do or do not have it so i know which version to buy. But they dont open till sometime monday morning around where i live. Any way i can look in my engine bay and verify for myself?