How to Fix Common Ram eTorque Problems

Truck drivers from time to time likely find themselves wishing they had a little more power to draw from when it comes to their vehicle. Generally speaking all trucks have an upper limit to what they can do which can at times prove frustrating.

There is an exception however in the form of the eTorque system found in some Ram trucks and Jeeps. It is an innovative system but like all things mechanical can be prone to some common issues. In this post we will look more closely at eTorque and the problems that it may suffer.

What Is eTorque?

The eTorque system found in the Ram 1500 and some Jeep models is a very clever new technology. Essentially it is a scaled down hybrid system in the same vein as those found in the Toyota Prius. It is not obviously as complex and does not make the Ram 1500 a hybrid.

Like the Prius the eTorque system collects and stores energy created by the movement of the truck. This energy can then be used as needed to boost the truck's towing power. The benefits of this system include.

• Better fuel economy
• Increased towing capacity
• Increased hauling ability
• Greater driveability

How Does eTorque Work?

To truly understand the eTorque system it is important to know how it works so here we go. A powertrain that is fitted with eTorque will have a belt driven motor rather than the standard alternator found in most vehicles.

This generator performs a number of functions beyond the standard job of an alternator which for those who might not know is just to essentially charge the vehicle's battery. The eTorque motor will supply power to a dedicated battery pack which has a greater storage capacity than average vehicle batteries.

It delivers a 48-volt current to a 430-watt-hour lithium-ion nickel manganese cobalt-graphite battery. Whenever the engine of the truck is running this current will be flowing to the battery pack charging it up for later use.

The vehicle will still have the standard 12V engine battery that is used to power the car's electrics and this to will be charged by the eTorque system.

What Does eTorque Actually Do?

The eTorque system has two main functions one of which is known as the engine's stop-start function. This function automatically stops and starts the engine when the truck is idling in bumper to bumper traffic or at a stoplight.

This may not seem like a good function but actually the stored energy will allow the truck to restart so quickly that ther is barely a delay. The intent of this function is to save on fuel while stationary.

The second function is to add up to 90 ft-lbs of torque to the truck's crankshaft. This helps to speed up starts and also give additional power while towing or carrying a heavy load.

What Are the Common Problems With the eTorque System?

As mentioned with all things mechanical there are common problems that may need to be fixed from time to time. The eTorque system is no exception. There are four common issues that can plague the system so read on to find out what they are and how to fix them.

Automatically Shuts Off

In the Ram truck you may notice the eTorque system shutting off abruptly and the ignition mode switching to Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) while you are driving. This might sound scary but it rarely leads to accidents.

The ACC kicking in prevents a sudden stop of the truck although if you are driving at a very high speed the sudden drop in momentum may be jarring. This ACC system picks up that the engine has stalled so it kicks in the cruise control to keep you moving allowing you time to pull over safely.

This issue can often be resolved by parking up the truck, turning the engine off and waiting for at least 30 seconds but preferably for a couple of minutes. Restart the engine and take a cruise around the parking lot to make sure you are good to go.

It can often be the case that the situation will repeat a few times in a row so you may have to repeat this process a few times before getting fully underway again. Once you get going again you may want to look into booking the truck in with your mechanic just to check for any issues with the system to avoid future episodes of this issue.

The System Only Works When AC and Ventilated Seats Are Off

This is a common issue found in 2020 Ram eTorque systems. Essentially if the AC and ventilated seats are on then the eTorque system does not work and the same is true the other way around. So if the AC is running you will get a message on your display screen telling you that eTorque is not functioning.

The issue in this case could be an internal issue with the AC unit which unless you happen to be an expert should probably be dealt with by an expert. There is no easy fix for this as there must be an issue in the system.

eTorque Stops Working Suddenly

If you start up the truck and the eTorque simply will not engage this could be a sign that there are issues with the storage battery. This commonly occurs in older trucks or ones that have sat idle for an extended period of time.

A truck sat in the garage for a month with the battery left attached can eventually cause damage to the storage capacity. Upon start-up things might be fine but then later in the drive the eTorque will stop working.

The simple solution for this would be to replace the battery or to charge the battery prior to each short distance journey.

Incorrect Battery Voltage Error

Another common issue is receiving an error code that reads “Incorrect Battery Voltage.” The system is reading that the voltage is too low to function correctly. This can be a major problem so you will want to get it dealt with quickly.

As this is a complicated system it is unlikely that you will be able to fix the problem yourself and not all mechanics will have the necessary equipment and knowledge to help in this instance either. The best option then would be to take the truck to a Ram dealership and have their experts tackle the issue for you.

How Long Does eTorque Last

This is not a cheap system in comparison to a standard alternator so you are probably wondering how long it should be before you would have to replace it. Generally speaking the expected life of an eTorque system should be 8 years or 80,000 miles on average.

Obviously this is dependent on a lot of factors and sometimes unforeseen circumstances can lead to the system failing prematurely.

Conclusion

The eTorque is a handy system that can save fuel and improve your truck's performance. As good as it is though issues can arise and you may find yourself needing to seek repairs. This is an expensive system so repairs as you might imagine are not cheap.

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