Questions about my new Big Horn Night Edition: E-Locker axle? Flashing lights on steering wheel... Hot engine compartment hours after shut off, & more

F

Fire Ram 967

Member
I have some questions about my newly purchased vehicle, and I directed them to my dealer, but they 1) take forever to get answers 2) sometimes don't even remember that I asked the questions 3) can't figure it out, and probably just give up trying to figure it out, unless I keep harassing them.

Question #1
My Window Sticker says I have an E-Locker rear axle but there's no Axle lock button - maybe it is part of one of the selectable modes? Like maybe Off-Road mode? There is also an Auto mode, a Sport mode, a Tow mode, and a Snow mode. Or maybe it is part of the towing extras? The E-Locker rear axle is there on the window sticker (I pasted it below) There's no 'antispin differential' listed in this particular build, but it is a Night Edition, so maybe the E-Locker rear axle is a different version/form of anti-spin rear differential? This is particularly confusing because, in the brochure, under the Big Horn, it says the Night Edition has an antispin diff:

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Maybe it is 'always ready' and maybe the E-Locker works like an antispin diff, automatically, maybe in all modes, and always/only engages when it detects slippage, but does so electronically, and so they called it an E-Locker rear axle instead of an antispin differential?

I found this on Edmunds, so it looks like they are not the same...
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Question #2
Has anyone seen where the lights flash on the left side of the steering wheel controls, ie the menu and phone controls - they are flashing off and on, though the menu buttons and OK button work - except that I can't reset the A & B trip odometers when I press the OK button, but I can navigate menus and use the OK button to select and save options - maybe it is because it is new and is low mileage - maybe it needs an update - maybe something else is going on - the dealer has no idea, so they're going to 'look into it'... It does this in Run mode, whether or not the engine is running. I've spent hours setting up menu options on there and on the big screen, and tweaking the seat, mirrors, etc. I didn't see any reason or warning for it. Maybe just a loose wire inside the steering wheel?

Question #3
My mirrors are not power folding, but they do fold manually. I'd like to make them powered, but I don't know if that's something they can be done without costing me a fortune.

Question #4
Both of my previous Ram's were Hemi 5.7L, and so this is my first experience with the Hurricane. I know there's a battery powered cooling system that keeps running after the engine is shut down, to make sure the turbos are cooled, to extend their life, but I'm wondering how long that should go on. I went out to my garage, two hours after I had parked the vehicle, and it was still hot to the touch when I opened the engine compartment. The dealer says he believes that's normal. It has been warm here, and my garage walls are insulated, though the ceiling isn't; the engine compartment stayed hot - and I'm guessing that will be a good thing when winter hits, but when I went back out and felt it, my first reaction was worry, thinking maybe it was going to overheat somehow, like an electrical fire waiting to happen, so ?

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Question #5
I have a dash cam setup with front and rear facing cameras. I am wondering if the auxiliary battery would power them, or if that's just for the cooling system that cools the turbos/engine after it is shut off. I thought maybe it might also run the electrical/electronics, like UConnect, etc, which means it might be able to provide power to the dash cams, so I don't have to buy and wire in an extra battery to run the cameras full time. They are motion sensitive, which means I want power to them all the time, and that could drain the main battery if it ends up running all day for some reason - so I want to run a power source separate from the main battery.

On a side note, I chose this user name because my Chinese Zodiac sign is a Fire Ram {aka Goat ; not saying I'm the GOAT ;-) }.

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Cheers!
 
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Hi,

1) elocker vs antispin. If you have the e-locker, it should be near your 4x4 controls, you should see a button saying rear axle lock or something similar to that effect. If you don’t have that button, you probably have the antispin aka an lsd (limited slip differential). An LSD will auto engage when it detects enough slip between your rear wheels. It’s quite a nice system and the RAM one works very well.

2) First time hearing this, I would bring it in to the dealer to have them look at it.

3) I do not know for RAM, but for my Toyota it’s 6-8k to add the power folding mirrors since I need two new mirrors, the wiring, a dedicated ecu and all of the interior trim pieces to make it work.

4) My engine stays hot pretty long on my Toyota, I would not worry unless you can smell something or if the engine is still hot the next day.

5) I would wire it to a dedicated battery if you plan to use it that way. Too many possibility of it going wrong and leaving you stranded.
 
#1 I was looking at two different Ram 1500's, and one had the anti spin diff listed on the window sticker, while this one had the E-Locker on there - they are definitely not the same. I don't have the button, so I asked a tech at the dealership if it might be part of one or more of the modes, and he said it is automatic, but he wasn't sure which modes - I would imagine Snow mode and/or Off-Road as well as Auto would probably have it, but I am not sure which. Snow mode enables traction control, while Off-Road and Sport mode disable it, so... I have had anti slip/spin in vehicles, going all the way back to my 1986 Grand Prix, and both of my other Ram 1500's. I have a 2017 Jeep Wrangler JK, so that's considerably different, but not relevant to the issue - I'm just pointing out that I'm fairly well versed when it comes to 4x4 systems, clutch packs, etc - but just can't find anything in writing by Ram/Mopar regarding an E-Locker as part of a mode (ie where there's no switch, but it is listed on the Window sticker...)

#2 The dealer has ordered a new switch for the steering wheel left side flashing controls, and we'll see if that also fixes not being able to reset the trip odometer. Another option might be if a software update is required, but I figured they'll take care of that when they replace the switch (whenever it arrives, within a week or two).

#3 Thanks - about the cost - I am not going to bother. It wasn't something I even thought of, because I've always backed my other two Ram's into the garage, and never thought about the width of these mirrors until I got home when I had just bought it. But I manage - I just have to be really diligent for those few moments when I get right close. There's less than an inch of space between the mirror and the rubber of the door seal, on each side - which means that, even if I were to miss (I never have, but it could happen) - even if I were to miss, I would hit the rubber first, and at worst, I might mark up one of the mirrors. While that isn't optimal, it is a truck - and I drove off road on the weekend, and it got dirty - oh my ... LoL So I will leave them as manual mirrors and spend my $$ elsewhere!

#4 Thanks about the heat - I worried less about it after that first night, when my garage hadn't burned down by the next morning. I don't really worry about it now, and just take it as par for the course. I have all the temperature gauges up, and nothing shows as being excessively hot, so I'm going to assume it is normal until given reason to believe otherwise. I appreciate the input.

#5 I will probably fork out the $300 to install a battery under the dash and power it that way. I don't disagree that it is best to avoid issues - I just figured, if the Auxiliary battery might be able to do it, why not? Like a motorhome can have two batteries (my dad's motorhome had two), one for the system, and one for accessories, fridge, etc - I figured maybe this aux battery was like that, but better to be safe that sorry.

On another interesting note, the main battery voltage is usually reading above 14V.
 
Fire Ram 967 said:
#1 I was looking at two different Ram 1500's, and one had the anti spin diff listed on the window sticker, while this one had the E-Locker on there - they are definitely not the same. I don't have the button, so I asked a tech at the dealership if it might be part of one or more of the modes, and he said it is automatic, but he wasn't sure which modes - I would imagine Snow mode and/or Off-Road as well as Auto would probably have it, but I am not sure which. Snow mode enables traction control, while Off-Road and Sport mode disable it, so... I have had anti slip/spin in vehicles, going all the way back to my 1986 Grand Prix, and both of my other Ram 1500's. I have a 2017 Jeep Wrangler JK, so that's considerably different, but not relevant to the issue - I'm just pointing out that I'm fairly well versed when it comes to 4x4 systems, clutch packs, etc - but just can't find anything in writing by Ram/Mopar regarding an E-Locker as part of a mode (ie where there's no switch, but it is listed on the Window sticker...)

#2 The dealer has ordered a new switch for the steering wheel left side flashing controls, and we'll see if that also fixes not being able to reset the trip odometer. Another option might be if a software update is required, but I figured they'll take care of that when they replace the switch (whenever it arrives, within a week or two).

#3 Thanks - about the cost - I am not going to bother. It wasn't something I even thought of, because I've always backed my other two Ram's into the garage, and never thought about the width of these mirrors until I got home when I had just bought it. But I manage - I just have to be really diligent for those few moments when I get right close. There's less than an inch of space between the mirror and the rubber of the door seal, on each side - which means that, even if I were to miss (I never have, but it could happen) - even if I were to miss, I would hit the rubber first, and at worst, I might mark up one of the mirrors. While that isn't optimal, it is a truck - and I drove off road on the weekend, and it got dirty - oh my ... LoL So I will leave them as manual mirrors and spend my $$ elsewhere!

#4 Thanks about the heat - I worried less about it after that first night, when my garage hadn't burned down by the next morning. I don't really worry about it now, and just take it as par for the course. I have all the temperature gauges up, and nothing shows as being excessively hot, so I'm going to assume it is normal until given reason to believe otherwise. I appreciate the input.

#5 I will probably fork out the $300 to install a battery under the dash and power it that way. I don't disagree that it is best to avoid issues - I just figured, if the Auxiliary battery might be able to do it, why not? Like a motorhome can have two batteries (my dad's motorhome had two), one for the system, and one for accessories, fridge, etc - I figured maybe this aux battery was like that, but better to be safe that sorry.

On another interesting note, the main battery voltage is usually reading above 14V.
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Usually limited slip differential are not tied to a mode and will always work. E-locker can be tied to certain off-road modes, but you would still have the dedicated button in your truck.

Usually dual system battery in trucks are connected together and will both drain if you leave something plugged into them.
 
Thanks - but that site only lists the basic equipment, and my window sticker shows $20k in "add-ons", including being a 3.92, having the Hurricane, and there being an E-Locker. When I was at the dealership, I asked one of the techs if he thought it might be one of the modes, and he didn't hesitate, he just said yes, it is. I didn't get specific as to which modes, but I assume Off-Road, Snow, and maybe Auto. I wish there was some way to contact the manufacturer to ask these questions... The dealer isn't very helpful in getting specific answers. I have to ask one question at a time, because I only get one answer at a time, no matter how many questions I ask in one email.
 
I just went into the 2025 build and price for the big horn here in Canada. It shows an anti spin rear differential with the night edition and you needed to add the off road group for the e locker.

Perhaps they changed the build and price site.

That doesn’t clarify your window sticker.
IMG_1186.pngIMG_1187.png
 
The thing is, I was looking at another almost identical 1500 at the same dealership, and that VIN is almost identical to mine; the only difference was that it wasn't a night edition (I believe it was the sport package) and it had the anti spin diff listed on the window sticker. Actually, I'm going to go grab that VIN from their website for that truck, and the dealer window sticker. Here it is: 1C6SRFFP2SN513155 (mine is 1C6SRFFP6SN513157) and now I no longer see the anti spin diff on that window sticker.. I swear it was there, and it was partly why I chose mine, with an E-locker listed, instead of the other, so I know I wasn't imagining it. Not sure why it isn't there on their window sticker now, but instead shows E-locker... And I've just looked at the dealer photos on their site, and this one (not mine) has the Axle lock button - so did I get ripped off? Is mine the anti spin diff and the window sticker lied? https://www.waverleychrysler.ca/auto/new-2025-ram-1500-big-horn-winnipeg-mb/102223096/
 
Fire Ram 967 said:
The thing is, I was looking at another almost identical 1500 at the same dealership, and that VIN is almost identical to mine; the only difference was that it wasn't a night edition (I believe it was the sport package) and it had the anti spin diff listed on the window sticker. Actually, I'm going to go grab that VIN from their website for that truck, and the dealer window sticker. Here it is: 1C6SRFFP2SN513155 (mine is 1C6SRFFP6SN513157) and now I no longer see the anti spin diff on that window sticker.. I swear it was there, and it was partly why I chose mine, with an E-locker listed, instead of the other, so I know I wasn't imagining it. Not sure why it isn't there on their window sticker now, but instead shows E-locker... And I've just looked at the dealer photos on their site, and this one (not mine) has the Axle lock button - so did I get ripped off? Is mine the anti spin diff and the window sticker lied? https://www.waverleychrysler.ca/auto/new-2025-ram-1500-big-horn-winnipeg-mb/102223096/
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It sure makes you wonder. I’ve seen mistakes on dealer websites but not the window sticker.
 
Fire Ram 967 said:
The thing is, I was looking at another almost identical 1500 at the same dealership, and that VIN is almost identical to mine; the only difference was that it wasn't a night edition (I believe it was the sport package) and it had the anti spin diff listed on the window sticker. Actually, I'm going to go grab that VIN from their website for that truck, and the dealer window sticker. Here it is: 1C6SRFFP2SN513155 (mine is 1C6SRFFP6SN513157) and now I no longer see the anti spin diff on that window sticker.. I swear it was there, and it was partly why I chose mine, with an E-locker listed, instead of the other, so I know I wasn't imagining it. Not sure why it isn't there on their window sticker now, but instead shows E-locker... And I've just looked at the dealer photos on their site, and this one (not mine) has the Axle lock button - so did I get ripped off? Is mine the anti spin diff and the window sticker lied? https://www.waverleychrysler.ca/auto/new-2025-ram-1500-big-horn-winnipeg-mb/102223096/
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How about this: Crawl under the truck and look for any wiring harness going into the rear diff. No wire? No e-locker.....
 
So I was mistaken in the previously posted window sticker above (in my earlier post) - that wasn't the VIN I had looked at. This window sticker belongs to the truck I was talking about - it shows the Anti-spin differential rear axle in the Optional Equipment - so if this one shows the Anti-Spin diff, and mine shows the E-Locker, I would assume mine has the E-Locker, but there's no price beside it, and yet, it is listed under Optional Equipment - so it seems like it either should have it, or it is false advertising. I mean, you could put every single option under Optional Equipment and not actually put it in the vehicle, as long as you don't put a price beside it - that would be pretty shallow ... And I still can't get an answer from the dealership ... Its like pulling teeth ... I'm going to make a different forum post with a couple of links to some YT shorts I made, showing what I believe are electrical problems - minor, but there nonetheless. I don't expect to get an answer about this, I just wanted to share that I was mistaken about the above posted window sticker being the wrong one - the VIN's are so close on all three vehicles, I didn't realize there was a third one - and I haven't lost my mind.1760492542133.png
 
I checked the front - didn't see a wiring harness. Went back to the dealer and asked to speak with the manager. He was very accommodating and had his most experienced sales rep look at my window sticker and the dealer's window sticker, then had the rep go out to my truck, and he agreed - there's no E-Locker axle, even though the window stickers say there is.

They said it seems likely that they ordered it with the request to have the E-Locker added, but the factory didn't put it in, and someone neglected to remove it from the sticker. That is a reasonable explanation, and seems plausible.

I suggested a few possible options, to see what he (the manager) thinks might work, and he called his 'guy' - maybe a regional manager, or upper manager, or owner, or maybe Manufacturer rep - I'm not sure - it doesn't really matter, as long as something works out.

I suggested three options; I asked if they could/would
a) install an E-Locker setup in my Big Horn, and if not, maybe they could at least
b) install an anti-spin differential
c) Another option that might be preferable is for me to return the vehicle and get something else - it has just over 1000km on it, about 625 miles and the first 734 km were with the original tires, and the rest are on my newly purchased winter tires, so they'd get the original tires back with almost no wear.

If they're willing to take it back, and then I would buy a Rebel instead. The thing is, when you buy a new vehicle, there's a NVIS: "New Vehicle Information Statement, which is a document used to register new vehicles in Canada. It provides essential details for the initial ownership and registration of a brand-new vehicle, replacing older documents like the "Dealer Certificate of Sale" or "VIN Card"". Once the NVIS is 'burned' (aka used), meaning the first purchaser has registered their vehicle, it can no longer be sold as a new vehicle. So if they take it back, the dealer takes a loss, which is why we're hoping the guy on the other end of the phone gives the go ahead to return it and let me get the Rebel. He even said he'd take the tonneau cover off my Big Horn and put it on the Rebel. And the Rebel is a 2026. I will have to pay more to get into that vehicle, so I'm guessing they might take the hit anyway, but we'll see what the numbers are. Like the manager said to his guy on the phone, it isn't like I'm asking for a refund so I can go across the street to buy a Ford. This is already my third Ram, and we also bought a Jeep Wrangler from that dealership, so here's hoping.

On a separate note/topic, the switch for the flashing steering wheel menu lights came in, and the sales rep said that the fuel economy and trip odometer not resetting might require either the two finger reset, or maybe an over the air software update (which I haven't done yet because I haven't signed up for Ram stuff in the vehicle)...

Again with the solution options, I thought about trading this vehicle for the other I had test driven - it is almost identical, except that the other one has the anti-spin differential, and then instead of the Night Edition that I have now, I'd get the Sport appearance package - with chrome trim - everything else is identical (except the rims). So I'd be happy with it - but I'd be happier with an E-Locker...

And after sitting in that Rebel (and I have a Jeep Wrangler) and knowing there's a lift, and off-road goodies, and the E-Locker, and - other stuff, like the passenger side LCD screen, and a power passenger seat, and leather - the only thing I'd miss is the panoramic sunroof - but that's not a deal breaker, so I'm leaning towards the Rebel as the solution... I'm really hoping they okay this, because this is probably the easiest to accomplish - I figure the manufacturer just gives them a break on the $$ and they take it back and sell me a new truck for which they get more of my money anyway. We both win, kind of ... Will let you know once I hear more. Cheers!

EDIT: I just found one on their lot that includes the sun/moon roof! Oh my.... Had to share :P
 
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The dealer seemed convinced that it must have been an option they selected when they chose the options, but wasn't available at the time it was built, and just wasn't removed from the sticker. For that reason, they're doing what they can - talking to the regional office for Ram to see what they're willing to do to compensate the dealer, so they can get me into a Rebel. Oh, and btw, the one I mentioned in that last comment, the one with the sunroof - it doesn't have the forward facing camera, nor the 360 setup, so I'm going with a different one (assuming they let me make the change) - but they could always say no - then who knows what else they'll offer...
 
So, the only update I have so far is that the manager at the dealership has confirmed he had the factory invoice from their side of things, and he asked for a copy/photo of the Monroney that I had shown him (only have a digital copy) and a photo of my gear shifter area, to show there is no Axle Lock button, and then he sent that to FCA and said "we will do our best to get this resolved" and since he knows I want to get into a Rebel, and he'd be happy to sell me one, it sounds like they are hoping FCA will give them a new NVIS, so they don't lose their rebate. He said it should only take a few days to hear back from FCA - and I am assuming he means a few business days, so I'm not expecting a follow up until the end of next week, but I figured this little tidbit was worth sharing. Clearly, the invoice must show the E-Locker Rear Axle, so I'm hoping FCA owns up, and honors this issue with allowing me to replace the truck that is missing the critical piece I wanted, with a truck that has it - ie the Rebel I've already had them put on hold. It is frustrating, but I'm doing my best to be patient - hopeful... On the plus side, Jonathan Toews got his first at home goal tonight, here in the `Peg, and I have a Jets' Jersey with his name and number on it, due to arrive in 3 weeks, so that's a good distraction..
 
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