Several ?related? or not electrical nuisances

[Rustin Shill]

Hi all My name is Rustin I have a 04 3500 with several electrical issues developing at pretty much the same time My wipers operate erratically(replaced switch with no improvement My high beams won't come on And infrequently my tail/brake lights will stay on until I remove and replace FCM fuse. I replaced FCM with a used one with no improvement Do I Need to buy $500 new oem FCM or am I looking in the wrong direction?

 

[Ozymandias]

Often the Fan clutch going south brings a lot of problems like this.
Just guessing from the distance.

 

[Wiredawg]

When experiencing variety of electrical related problems, my first instinct is to inspect and clean grounds and clean/shine battery terminals/lugs. Before spending money, try it.

Cheers, Ron

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

Might check your steering column wire harness for chaffing.

 

[GrantP]

How old are the batteries? I had some weird electrical issues with my 06 when the batteries were going south. I didn't put it all together until the truck finally started cranking over slowly. I replaced the batteries and all the glitches disappeared.

 

[3rdGenGuy]

Integrated Control Module (ICM also called PCM - Power Control Module). Corrosion on the board to the circuit that feeds bus fuses 11 & 13, FCM power. Dorman sells a replacement ICM for about 400 bucks. You could also take the ICM apart and repair the board. YouTube.

 

[Bob4x4]

Not sure where you got your nomenclature.The 3rd gens up to 05 have a Pdc (power distribution center) anda (front control module)

The pcm power control module is on 03 and mainly transmission control with a separate engine control module.04.5 no longer had the 2 controllers,they were integrated into a single ecm

 

[3rdGenGuy]

I see. I didn’t know 03 was different. I’m aware of how my 04.5 is setup. Thank you for clarifying that

 

[crabman]

I agree with Wiredawg, you have a electrical grounding issue. Check a wiring diagram to see if they have something in common. Remove all grounds and clean(not just battery terminals). Even check the towing connector for the green crude.
These computer controlled systems are very very sensitive to floating, loose or corroded grounds. The newer the vehicle, the more sensitive it is.

 

[3rdGenGuy]

Yes I did indeed do that. I had a corroded ground at the driver’s side engine block. I removed the external voltage regulator and went back to ECM control for the primary field after I fixed the grounding issue. You guys were right, I was wrong. I think I still need a new Dorman 10405696ABA Power Distribution Module to fix the rest of my issues. I’ll check the rest of my grounds. I did remove the towing connector for now, because it was corroded.