Have Never Seen THIS Kill a Battery Before... (Parasitic Ram - Part 2) 

Thank you Ivan for truly caring about the customer. I totally agree about the cost of these modules being so high. Thanks for calling them out on this. Keep up the good work! 👍🏻👍🏻

That data logger is GOLD!

I like the $1000 solder repair. Are RAM products more prone to electrical gremlins. You mentioned it has a new fuse box...that is terrible that it needed replacement. I think that you going out of your way to save a customer money is noble. Your honesty will surely bring you even more business. When people know that you are on their side, they will run to your door.

Too many owners would just accept being bent over by the dealer. Your logic for the customers approval and satisfaction is quite amazing.

Ivan the master troubleshooter who has mercy on the customers $$. Is priceless. Another great fix/ modification. By Ivan this world needs more Ivan’s 👍

Thank you Ivan. You are the man for all seasons. Every video you make is like going to a training seminar (or better). You are a straight shooter (even when you make a mistake), you own up to it and carry on. Keep them coming. Good Work! I hope you never tire of it.

I’m sure there’s a junkyard that has that module for a fraction of the price.

I know calling the customer back to tell him you quoted on the wrong module feels like getting a return on a repair but this stuff happens and it’s inevitable with cars having 30 or more modules in them. He went from a $400 module to a $1000 module to pocket change solder repair plus diag costs. I’m sure he is happy as Hell. I would have chosen the Russian hack repair on the first module quote. Love your vids Ivan. Peace ✌️

Ivan, nice fix option, however...I believe upon each re-powering of the HVAC module the stepper motor controlled blend doors will be commanded to go through their "recalibration" cycle [full clockwise, full counterclockwise]. I'd be concerned about short life for each blend door motor. Those modules are priced "stupid" expensive for the same reason that healthcare costs are...because they can. :)

Awesome video Ivan. Can fully understand why people don't want to go to the dealer. Case in point I used work for a Chrysler dealer. I had a old mini van come in with no front washers. Traced the problem to the BCM not grounding the washer pump circuit. Spoke with the customer and said hey we can just wire and install a toggle switch on your dash that you flip when you want washers. He loved the idea cheap fix and did the repair. BCM was also close to $1000. Service manager had overheard me got called into the office afterwards and threatened with dismissal for not selling a BCM costing the dealer profit by doing a so called "Mickey Mouse" repair. Needless to say I don't work for them anymore.

Fantastic diag Ivan, and a great repair without costing the owner nearly a grand. Nice job. The more I watch these diagnostic videos on modern cars, the more determined I am never to buy a modern car. All these fancy electronics just to give you the privilege of having to take your eyes off the road to look at a fancy screen every time you want to change something simple on your dash. What astounds me is that in many countries, like here in the UK, it's illegal to even glance at your phone whilst driving, yet car manufacturers get away with these fancy screens that often mean you have to scroll through screens just to make simple changes to something. Lol, maybe that is why modern cars have to have things like automatic lane control and collision avoidance! One thing I do know for sure though, we need a lot more guys like you around. Without your skills that truck may never have been diagnosed correctly.

Nice job Ivan. Last year I bought a 2001 Buick Park Avenue with 64000 miles, and no rust (California car). Screw the new cars with all the modules.

As a suggestion, how about using a relay to isolate the comms wire from the network, the relay being operated operated by the ignition (switched 12V) similar to what you have done. That way the module will still be connected to permanent 12V and keep it's memory whilst allowing the car to sleep. (Although granted the faulty module itself will still draw a little current, but a lot less than the whole network was). Don't get me wrong, yours is a great solution and certainly the best for battery life. I 'll bet there's not much wrong with that module either, maybe a shorted diode or capacitor between the permanent and switched 12V rails, so the switched rail is being held on. Probably a 1 dollar part or less causing the issue.

Killed two parasites with one solder joint. The parasite wanting to drain your battery and the parasite wanting to drain your bank account.

Great work Ivan ! That's some great diagnostic talent you have. I'm sure the owner is super happy with your work as you saved him a pile money. What a ridiculous amount of money for a very small module, just crazy... You need to be proud of your work as it's very informative to all us watching. Thanks for doing all your videos for us.

I have a 2014 Ram 1500 that won't go to sleep. I have been dealing with it for about 3 years. Spent over 4 G's on it and still have the problem. I have to jump through hoops to get it through annual inspections. I won't take it to a dealership or shop again because I know they can't fix it. Liked your video. I now understand that it is totally illogical to have so many complicated accessories and environmental monitoring devices on a machine that is expected to perform at 100 percent for so long.

Hi Ivan, your the same as me, I fix scissorlifts and cherry pickers and refuse to pay the horrendous prices for some parts as I know how much they cost for other applications, people say to me why do it its your customers money! It's just the principle of I don't want to get ripped off so why should I let my customers, it pays Dividends in the end, as they will come back and use you again, and you get a good name for being fair. I've been watching your parasitic draws with interest as I have to get to the bottom of one on my 2005 motorhome. So just getting my head around how to go about it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge, us old farts need as much help as we can get. Regards Richard 🇬🇧

Ivan, The reason for Battery power to the module---- When you open or close the doors, the HVAC controller manipulates the Re-circ door to optimize conditions. Trying to keep condensation on the right side of the glass. Remember, condensation is always on the cooler side of the glass. We don't want condensation where we can't remove with the wipers. I realized this when I would get in a 2000s chevrolet and the recirc door would start clacking. It does this with the key off. Just thought this was interesting.

Man, you are a class act! Time to stick it to the dealer! They are making money by selling people stuff they don't need, charging them for the purchase, and then charging for repairs - whether or not they can really repair it. Unfortunately, people don't know what they're buying. And they have to buy what is being sold. My truck has a carburetor!

Thanks my friend. Your customer is a very lucky man to have a tech like you. I HATE this modern crap. My next purchase will be a ground up 60s restoration.

Ivan you are the best, such compassion for others. If you would do it to your car, I'd do it to mine also!

Good job man, In a similar repair I made the bypass on the circuit board itself and left the wires intact. Stuck a note on the box for next person who might chase something else in the future

The repair was top notch ivan!! I always loved youR Russian Hacks!!

This is so frustrating, and I believe this lack of parts and obscene prices is part of a concerted action to make cars more and more inaccessible and expensive to maintain for the plebes (only one company and its satellites own everything on the planet), while the millionaires couldn't care less - it's their corporations that pay for them. Great job bypassing manufacturer greed, Ivan!

Watching from Scotland. Dont leave us on a cliffhanger for 24hrs. Love the channel

Great job, love the repair!

My 1967 F250 has manual cable and sheath for control of heater valve and blend door. It needs some lubricant every decade or so. It needs a shift collar and bushings in the transmission linkage every 50 years or so too. Never fails to start after sitting unused for months. Never stuck in Park either.

@Ivan, For my "Russian Hack" I would have cut the trace on that pin in the module, and soldered a jumper inside the module, that way only the module is modified, so if someone later wanted to fix it properly, they could just pop a new module in.

This is why I love my 1970 Chevy Biscayne, small block, four door, bench seat, limited slip car!! No bullshit runs fine on leadfree regular and I can fix about anything in my driveway including tune up. I don’t drive it everyday but when the other cars break it’s my go to

Great work. Dealers would have part swapped until they got to the right module. Thousands of dollars. The only additional thing I would do is measure the running current in the combined circuits.

this is the most informative electric repair video i've seen so far, and thats coming from a bmw master tech in canada, just not familiar with ram trucks, working on my own vehicle.

Lovely fix. I was thinking about a small, socked 12v relay that is triggerd by the switched feed and turns on/off the 'red' wire. That would not require the fuse swap. It is insane what manufactures can get away with. They get you with the hardware and with the IP software running on the chips.

Love your diagnostic logic. I am in awe of your knowledge. I am more impressed with your consideration for what the expense will be to your customer. You and Eric O both impress me so much with your customers cost consideration when looking at repairs.

Glad that you were able to find and fix the truck! Wonder if a salvage yard would have the module from a wrecked one?

Nice repair, saving lots of money. just a suggestion, but next time cut the leg in the box, and make your solder connection in the box. that way you have no cut wires and future replacemet is way easyer.

We used to have a local electronics guy who would fix these modules, over the years his costs to fix was boarder line same as buying a new unit. He retired during covid. I recently had a issue with a battery tester out of warranty. Its basically a tablet based unit. I brought it to 3 local places and all wanted $90 just to break it open and see whats wrong. All where straight up and said the few problems they believe it could be im getting close to just buying a new one. Which I did.

Just like the module is keeping other modules awake - makes me think that one of the position sensors or motors maybe keeping the module awake - there might not be anything wrong with the module itself? Possibly.

Good Job Ivan……These issues make me miss the 60’s and 70’s car’s and truck’s. 🤟🏻🤟🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Ivan.. Got my daughter's3/4 ton GMC back together. It's not leaking oil or transmission fluids anymore. Job took 1.5 week. Due to my work schedule. Then my 01 malibu blew out all of its transmission fluid. I'm at 1.2 week into the repair. Pulled engine and transmission as a unit. Reinstalled the engine and transmission. About 4 days ago. Then started replacing all of the struts. 🙄. Discovered bent rear control arms. I was lucky. It was a minor NPR. Job went well. Waiting on front struts to arrive. Rear are done and installed. All of this on my shade tree cement slab. 😄 After this my brother 2000 truck water pump work. Then my brother in law Dodge 4x4 front diff job coming up too.. Just like you....customers to help..

Great job Ivan! I’m sure the owner was very pleased, I know I would be. 👍👍🇺🇸

Ecu: *asleep* HVAC: “TURN ON THE COMPRESSOR!😡” Everyone else: 🫨

I bought that same module for my 2014 RAM back in 2018 as part of upgrading the radio from the 5" to the 8" screen and it cost less than $300 new from the dealer. We (The forum community) noticed around 2019-2020 that all of the parts we were using to upgrade our trucks (something RAM says can't be done) suddenly went up in price dramatically. And it wasn't all parts, it was specifically the ones we were using for upgrades. RAM does monitor the forums and many of us are convinced it was a deliberate attempt to stop us from upgrading. That HVAC module is not VIN locked, you may be able to get one from a salvage yard if needed.

As I have said before all these ' gadets' in newer cars are the worst type of so called advancements in vehicle owner comforts are a complete waste of money.They come under what I call the laziness syndrome.Cheers Ivan you are the best.

What a video. It's a good thing you had your hat on. It kept you from pulling out your hair trying to figure this out. Great Job.

Thank you Ivan for constantly dishing out high quality diagnosis videos, I’m a huge fan for life. You and other creators have allowed me to up my diagnosis game like never before, I’m truly thankful and wish you guys nothing but the best! #GOAT

Nice job on the step-by-step process. This video shows the difference between a "Parts Changer" and someone that has a brain.....Thanks for a job well done and another satisfied customer that doesn't go broke owning a truck.

cut the power feed to the module ad a relay in that is controlled by the ignition power feed. leave it on its original circuit just have it shut off by the relay

All I can say is “reeemarkable”! What a blessing you are Ivan. You have surely honed your skills

One automotive item (in a whole state or a country at a sky high price !) is sometimes a good indication that mechanics have found an alternate supply source or workaround. lol

Ivan please don’t talk about sleep! I’m watching from Australia and it’s latish in the night and I’m battling to keep my peepers open🤣🤣 great video so far I’ll make the end for the Russian fix😁😁😊

You're the man Ivan! 😊 I wonder if someone can diagnose that circuit board and find the fault on it?

I have done that hack many times but I call the Polish bypass..to save customer money... I agree the prices are outrageous ....if I can't find a module in a junkyard for a decent price ...I would do exactly what you did the customer was always happy with the lower price this is a great video ... I also made the same mistake ordering the wrong module...for me it's part of being Polish ...it happens. Miss the work I retired...KEEP THE VIDEOS COMING I LOVE THEM... I feel like I am back in the shop you young guys passed me up with all the new stuff... it's great to watch

GREAT job Ivan, yes 1000bux US is daylight robbery so your a champion for showing a workaround for people with this truck.

I'm liking your amp draw logger! Great alternative to the module replacement! Who's to say if you did replace the module, that one wouldn't crap out in 6 months or whatever! Great job!!

Ivan, has been gifted with the patience of a saint, the intellect to rescue even the worst from totally lost causes, and a kind soul 'to boot'. I'll betcha dollars to doughnuts, that he gains far more satisfaction from seeing the bright smiles of his customers, than the greenbacks going into his wallet!

When I 1st started watching pine hollow. I thought that. Who is this kid, because he looks so young to me and after watching him for a couple of years. Ivan is amazing. I mean you're like a neurological surgeon and those guy's are a lot higher paid. I saw you with Eric o. Recently and he's definitely not a slouch by any means. And by the way scotty spoke highly of you also. This fix was nothing short of a minor miracle and I doubt that very many techs. Could do it. Imo! Saved that customer 1k. Great video and explanation. Not to mention the equipment needed to do it. Just outstanding!!!!

Hey Ivan, the Wizard of Pine Hollow works his magic once again! Waves his magic wand(soldering iron) over the haunted Ram,and once again solves the problem Great repair! Thanks for the video. Have a good day!

Possibly reflashing the HVAC module (even with the same SW version) would resolve the problem, as you said, looks like corruption to the firmware, not some component failure on the board...

Happy customers are becoming your trademark. The king of parasitic draws has done it again 🎉. Nice touch with no stress on anyone. Happy days are here again 😊😊😊.

Why am I not surprised that it's a Chrysler? Maybe because I own a Jeep (TJ) that at the very least is a product of "planned obsolescence"! Great vid, Ivan! 👍

The module that is malfunctioning costs more exponentially because it's easy to access compared to the other module which translates to less man hours when the repairs are made. The bean counters do this to insure maximum repair costs down the road [pun intended] for everyone who sets their hands on the product [in this case-the truck]. Big corporations need big profit to grease the big wheels [yes another pun intended] in top management positions. This is my 1st time watching your channel but not the last. You appear to be of prior military experience but not long enough to build the "not my classification" ilk. Excellent job on this truck !!!!! Experience,Intelligence and Integrity !!!

I am glad it is not the yesr of rhe Ram! Amazing work Ivan,the czar of diagnostics. Thanks, Ivan.

Quess I am not the only shop that keeps a case of "Bosch" relays and inlines fuses on hand for such a time as this...

Ivan, you are awesome. Modern cars however are junk. I'll keep my older, less-complicated vehicles on the road as long as I can find the parts.

Had a '15 Ram like that with the Ecodiesel plus the air suspension. Never really had any problems with it but every day I became more and more wary of things like this happening. I got a great deal when I bought it very slightly used. I decided to sell it before stuff like this started happening. We have an Excursion with the 7.3 and I decided to go back to that for towing, etc. I do miss the Ram but I'm sure I saved myself headaches like this.

Totally impressed, I'm speechless awesome video Ivan..

2010 Ford Ranger blend door motor failure. Managed to replace it. Very difficult. Did an autopsy on the bad motor. The brushes in the motor were fine wires. They had melted open. So they had manufactured a motor that could not survive stalling. And when it's very cold dew settles all over the place and the blend door easily gets frozen in place and the motor keeps trying to move it. And the brushes burn up.

Super cool! I wonder if there was enough room in the connector cavity to de-pin that feed you jumped into and solder right to the crimped terminal and just have it looped... that way you didn't have to strip back the wire and tape it.

Just gotta say, I'm glad it took me a while to watch these videos so that I could watch them back to back to avoid your CURS-ED (read as spoken) and well targeted tech nerd cliffhanger torture! 😋

Wow that is pure genius Ivan.

Man do I feel your pain. Always have a sick feeling in my stomach when ordering parts!

Excellent diag & troubleshooting skills demonstrated on this over engineered Pos design.....Once pointed to that Module, Too bad you didn't Stay on track & kept Module energized & Open up the various Sensor Input & Reporting wire leads to Maybe Isolating a Possibly Defective sensor Causing a Good Module to malfunction.......It's easy for me to offer that afterthought advice 'cause I would Never have the Patience to work & isolate the problem so Efficiently how you Did !! .......You Da Man !!!

Great fix. Imagine what a dealer would charge to diagnose and repair (and guessing that they would be unable to diagnose). This complexity is causing issues for the industry as well. The owner may be able to find the module in a pick and pull or similar and return the wiring to the stock function.

I can feel your frustration all the way over here in the northwest of the USA. Having to explain to the customer why the repair is going to cost so much and why it takes so much time to fix it, can be very draining.

This is exactly why i still drive for 37 years my 86 toyota truck with next to no sensors.

Nice video, diagnosis and repair. It seems to me there would be an opportunity for a company to build custom modules when the manufacturer discontinued making them. It wouldn’t be cheap, but a vehicle that might be unusable is worthless as well.

The truth of how that Bad box was in that truck is not known to Many owners the Switch box shell game Probably great video Great diagnostics Great solutions 👍

Great video. I often find the least cost on oem Mopar parts online at MoPar parts giant. These modules are marked way up at most dealerships.

Great work Ivan!

I think you made the best choice for the module. The only other possible fix would be a junkyard module, but that's a huge roll of the dice no matter how you look at it. I know I could live with the new change in how the system operates, and obviously the customer agrees. Not so crazy of a hack after all!!

Hmmm $1000 for the car to remember my climate settings or couple drops of solder and tape and I set the temp myself. I'll do the last one. The sad thing is your right Ivan. Even being generous the cost of making that module and shipping at most would be $100. Well done my friend.

May not be failure in module itself, but could be actuator, or blender door not returning to rest, power off home position keeping HIVAC awake. Alternatively, track down used module from parts truck. About clicking sound, could be broken gear blender door. Perhaps run HIVAC to check Blender doors move on both sides when adjusting ventilation settings up and down.

A brilliant fix as always 👍😀😀😀

Ivan, you stated that if this were your vehicle that it would be perfectly acceptable to do what you did to repair this truck. I disagree. You would NEVER own one of these cars. (I don't know much about your XL-7, but I would be willing to bet the HVAC system on it has buttons and switches that require you to manipulate them. You have been jamming your hands into the dashboard of that truck; just look at the cuts you have on them. I would have thought you might have bought a module from Flea-Bay. This Russian repair was much better and I am glad you mentioned that in the opening credits of this video. I am sure glad you choose to live in this country! Great video!

Great video! Would a salvage yard module have been a possibility?

Ivan, these Russian repairs are just the best!

The diagnosis was excellent, my issue is with the repair. By removing BATT+ from the module now every time the key is turned on the module will perform a calibration event. This means the blend doors move and reset their home positions. The problem with this is when this happens if you move a button, dial, switch on the HVAC switch bank it has the potential of locking up one or move of the actuators. This is why when you replace a module and do the calibration of the actuators the scan tool has a countdown of approx. 30 secs. So the repair will work for a while but eventually it will need an HVAC module and then repair the 'fixed' wires.

As a retired support engineer, I feel the manufacturers need to dumb down vehicles and eliminate so much of the automation. There is nothing wrong with manual shift selection, or with manual 4 WD selection, using a key to open a rear hatch and vehicle doors, etc etc to nearly infinity!!

I appreciate your diagnostic and videography skills. Thank you for another journey in a ridiculous rogue network system. Its extremely valuable to have this level of honest documented repair work! The mfg is treating these modules like its a $900 laptop when it's just a $50 Raspberry PI. My Chevy HVAC position feedback potentiometers need to be cleaned to keep the module from constantly trying to adjust the blend door. Maybe Mr O has an identifix common issue? Your solution is more than likely a lot cheaper than digging deeper into the dash.

I own this same truck, although mine is a 2019 model. So far no issues with battery draw, but I anticipate problems in the future with all these electronic modules. Thanks Ivan for the heads up and ways to determine the culprit. Added bonus, 72 degrees is quite comfortable during summer or winter😃 Keep the info coming.

Ivan you are a "Go-Getter" when it comes to hunting a parasitic culprit, awesome job my brother 💪🏾👍🏾😊

Really enjoyed that fix nice to get one over on the dealer .

I remember the good ol days when the key was off everything but the clock was off!

LOVE IT! very good job! you absolutely took the right path to bypass the module. i hope the customer see this video so he can see how much effort u put in to this problem =)

love it as an electronics tech, I once replaced the backlight in my vehicle hvac control panel, a few cents, or new module(panel knobs etc.) over $300

at least if your front panel blows you don't have to buy that $7xx part. i did that hack for my radiators fans when they stopped working correctly, works like a charm

Great job Ivan! You called it the car manufacturers are extortionists.

I like Ivan's jumpering the wire at the module plug. Me, I would have spent years trying to do it at the fuse box...😆

Ivan, you might want to invest in a ESR meter. I can't help but eyeing those 3 large electrolytic caps on that A/C board. An ESR meter will tell you if they're bad. The packets the module was sending out didn't look like packets, but just a spike. I'm suspecting failing buck power buck module (stepping 12V down to 5V or 3.3V). Since car repairs seem to be headed for expensive modules, I'd think it would be worth looking into. Your patch may have bought the owner some time. I doubt if this issue is going to get better. Also, that "teakettle" sound from the display - when switching power supplies start failing, the can make a hiss, squeal, or even ticking sound.

I wish you would have done your take it apart and see if you could fix the electronics! As you said there is not too much to it. We know you can do it, considering you can fix a eye glass machine that has nothing to do with cars. We have faith in you. Have a good week. Thanks for the video.