Experiencing a dead battery in your Dodge Ram is frustrating enough, but discovering your key fob is stuck in the ignition adds another layer of annoyance. Imagine this: you’re ready to tackle your day, only to find your Dodge Ram unresponsive to the remote start. You try unlocking the door, even swapping to your spare key fob, but still nothing. Finally, using the emergency key to gain entry, your suspicion of a dead battery is confirmed – not even the dome light flickers on.
You insert your key fob into the ignition, hoping to at least get the Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) to light up, but then you encounter another problem. The key fob turns to the ACC, ON, and START positions without issue, but it refuses to turn all the way back to OFF, trapping your key fob in the ignition. In a moment of frustration, you might attempt to force the key fob out, potentially damaging your ignition system, as the original poster unfortunately experienced by breaking off a small piece of plastic.
But before you resort to force or call for expensive repairs, there’s a surprisingly simple fix. As discovered by a fellow Dodge Ram owner, the inability to remove your key fob from the ignition in these trucks is directly linked to a lack of electrical power. The solution? Restore power to your vehicle. In the original scenario, jump-starting the Dodge Ram from another vehicle instantly resolved the issue. Once the jumper cables were connected and power was flowing, the ignition switch magically released its hold, allowing the key fob to turn to the OFF position and be removed without any struggle.
The design of the Dodge Ram ignition system, which locks the key fob when there’s no power, might seem perplexing and inconvenient, especially when faced with a dead battery. However, knowing this quirk can save you from unnecessary panic and potential damage.
Therefore, if you ever find your Dodge Ram key fob stuck in the ignition after encountering a dead battery, don’t panic and avoid using excessive force. Simply jump-start your truck using jumper cables or a portable battery pack. Restoring power should allow you to smoothly turn the ignition to the OFF position and retrieve your key fob. This simple trick can save you time, frustration, and potentially costly repairs to your ignition system. Remember, power is the key to unlocking your key fob from a Dodge Ram ignition when the battery is dead.
