2003 Ram Lights wont shut off

[WM-300]

The truck in question is a 2003, 2500, HO, 6 speed, absolutely bone stock



The last time the truck was used was on Monday morning (yesterday). All lights functioned as designed. The truck sat un-used and un-opened until this morning Tuesday. I went to bed at 12:30am last night, I always look out to be sure the shop lights are off, and in so doing, I look directly at the Ram. All lights were OFF !



I got up at 7am this morning, looked out the window and the parking lights, roof marker lights, tail lights and license plate lights were on. I went out and checked.

As I knew, the headlights switch was on OFF. Even though all the above mentioned lights were on, the Dash board lights were NOT on. I switched the headlight switch on and off many times. The head lights turned on and off as did the dash lights both with headlights and parking lights. But the above mentioned lights woudl not shut off.



The lights had not been on that long this morning as the battery was fine to start the truck. Even with starts and shutdowns, the above mentioned lights would not shut off.



I disconnected both batteries and went to town on business. The batteries were disconnected for over a hour. On my return, I connected the batteries and the lights are all normal and turn on and off as they should.



I live very remote, no one was here messing around and the truck was locked. It appears that the computer got a glitch ???? Any one have a idea what is happening and is this a disaster waiting to happen again, only worse ?



Thanks for you thoughts



8valve

 

[JJPage]

I had a similar experience with my 03, I posted about it in another thread and some thought it had something to do with the "driveway feature", which I understand the concept but cannot find any info in my manual about it.

It was in Helena, middle of a snowstorm and we had stopped for lunch. After being seated my daughter noticed my headlights were still on, I went out to turn off... they were off, I turned the switch on off several times but they remained on, everything else was off. As I stated, snowstorm, snow going sideways, colder than hell, went back into the restaurant to resume lunch, headlights remained on.

After approximately 30/40 minutes we noticed my headlights were off. Never have had another issue since, and really have no idea what took place.

 

[JLandry]

This sounds like some sort of glitch with the FCM (Front Control Module)... a microprocessor based module. In addition to other items, the FCM controls relays which activate the lighting.



Other than the risk of completely draining and potentially damaging the batteries, I don't see how this is anything serious. If it continues to be a problem, then some advanced electrical troubleshooting would be necessary to pinpoint the exact cause... FCM or otherwise.



Regards,



John L.

 

[Got HO?]

I do know that if I unplug the light switch on my plug, the park lights, but not the instrument lights will come on, and the "lights on" chime will sound with the driver's door open. Found that out when doing some interior work on the truck. Could it be a bad switch?

 

[Bob4x4]

Headlights are on by default so if any parts fail you will still have headlights to drive with

 

[JLandry]

Hmmm... maybe spiders?

 

[WM-300]

I had a similar experience with my 03, I posted about it in another thread and some thought it had something to do with the "driveway feature", which I understand the concept but cannot find any info in my manual about it.



It was in Helena, middle of a snowstorm and we had stopped for lunch. After being seated my daughter noticed my headlights were still on, I went out to turn off... they were off, I turned the switch on off several times but they remained on, everything else was off. As I stated, snowstorm, snow going sideways, colder than hell, went back into the restaurant to resume lunch, headlights remained on.



After approximately 30/40 minutes we noticed my headlights were off. Never have had another issue since, and really have no idea what took place.

I never heard abotu the " Driveway Feature" and I have read my manual and also the shop manual. Will you give me just a brief description on what the "Driveway Feature" is.



Thanks

Paul

 

[WM-300]

Thanks for the responses. I have used the truck 3 times today. Always with the lights on as its a rainy day. Lights go on and off like they should. It could be a bad switch or ??. If the problem does not surface again, maybe just a computer glitch. This was really strange.


Paul

 

[JJPage]

I never heard abotu the " Driveway Feature" and I have read my manual and also the shop manual. Will you give me just a brief description on what the "Driveway Feature" is.

Thanks
Paul

It's the headlight shutoff delay that allows you to see your way to your doorstep in the dark.

 

[WM-300]

Thank you, I am very familar with the headlight delay feature.



Paul

 

[bsappington]

I had a very similair situation but the truck had not been touched in weeks. My Daughter came home from school and found the lights on one day. Then next day my Wife came home and found them on again. The battery was dead so I knew this had been happening for a while.



It turned out to be the FCM that is attached to the power distribution box (PDM) in front of the drivers side battery. The first indication there was a problem is when my horn stopped working. In tracing the circuit I found that it was controled by the FCM as well. This is for the alarm functuion. I replaced the FCM and have not had an issue since. It was a dealer item as far as I could find.

 

[Blakers]

Well this situation just reared its head on my truck tonight. Came home from work in a snow storm and backed into my driveway. Shut the engine off and turned the light switch to off, leaving the headlights on for the delayed 5 minutes, or whatever it is, so I could get my mail. Well the parking lights stayed on. Never had this happen before on my 15 year old truck with 251,000 miles! Fooled with the switch like everyone else. Even unplugged the switch. Started the truck back up. Checked for codes. Nothing helped. Then came in and did a search on TDR and your posts came up.

Any solutions found? For now I put the battery charger on 2 amp for tonight and see what I can find tomorrow.

 

[Blakers]

About a half hour after I posted the previous post, I look out and the lights are out. But every 5 minutes or so they flash on and off, sometimes saying on for 15 seconds or so, then off. I hate stuff like this. What was wrong with the old fashioned way of turning headlights on and off? - just a switch!

 

[Blakers]

This morning everything seemed normal. The lights were off and everything seemed to work the way it should. I didn't have to drive it, so I started it up and let it idle about a half hour while I did chores. Worked the lights on and off, and shut it off. All seems normal.

Has anyone resolved this problem and found the cause, or has it disappeared as mysteriously as it started? Has there been any long term effects and has it returned? Thanks.

 

[Ozymandias]

First i would check all the connectors on the underside of FCM/Fusebox, they are known for oxidation problems. If they are fine I point to the FCM itself because the FCM controls the lights solely. Lights on and no Key in Ignition goes against a basic programm of the FCM to safe the battery from draining under any circumstances.
Under normal conditions you can leve the lights switched to ON and the door OPEN and after 15 Minutes or so the FCM will switch off everything on the Truck that uses electricity. Conclusion to me - the FCM is faulty.

 

[verk]

What was wrong with the old fashioned way of turning headlights on and off? - just a switch!

It is an interesting trade-off between analog and digital switching. The digital switching allows for load shedding ( turning off lights inadvertently left on ) which has saved me. Additionally, the time delay ( 60 seconds ) is useful allowing me to use the headlights to gain entry in the dark. Additionally should the switch be open or short the FCM will turn the lights on till the problem is remedied meaning that you can still drive at night. Corrosion issues effect both types of systems although I think it easier to troubleshoot the analog stuff particularly when the digital system is not open and well documented like VPW on our trucks. Just what consumer based scan tools exist that could see these messages and allow somebody to perhaps troubleshoot this problem ?

 

[seafish]

You should try disconnecting BOTH battery grounds for approx 15 minutes. The lack of power forces the ECM and associated control modules into a "hard reset" to factory parameters. This can often fix programming problems and inconsistencies with the various control modules and sensors. Also, it is easy and free to try.

If the problems with the lights do not go away after the reset, then there likely IS a connection or hardware problem with the BCM or IPM.

 

[Blakers]

Thanks for the advice guys. Yes, I love the new fangled features like the the delayed lights, and the turning off the lights if left on deal (unless I'm trying to work on something in my truck at night and the lights keep timing out).

The problem hasn't come back, so I assume it's probably related to snow blowing under the hood and causing a weak connection. What does the FCM look like? Is there a plug that can be checked for corrosion? My water-in-fuel light has done that since the truck was new.

 

[bighammer]

I have to watch that I don't leave my hi beams on. My switch is modified, so it would think I'm sitting there holding the stalk back.

If my headlights were to act up like that, I think I'd bypass the computer stuff and just use a relay and wire them to the battery. I bypassed my horns like that because the alarm would just go off sometimes. It still does, it just flashes the lights and doesn't wake or bother anyone. :-laf