Weird Electric Problems fixed

[AHann]

I have an 03 SLT 4x4 with 190K miles that had an interesting problem... . I hope this helps others with this predicament.



I went to start the truck one morning last week..... only the red security light came on..... batteries were discharged (they were new "Red Tops")



I charged the batteries full and reconnected them to the truck..... the headlights and foglights turned on and off intermittently ..... I had not touched the truck nor was the ignition on. I disconnected the batteries, pulled the PCM and FCM to see if this was a corrosion related issue... . once cleaned, reinstalled and tha batteries reconnected, the problem

persisted (?)



Most of the notations on this type of problem pointed to the FCM or the PCM... . I replaced the PCM ($400. 00 - Yikes)... ... . No fix, same problem.



My friends and family were certain the vehicle was possessed... . truck was left in the yard with the batteries disconnected... .



I was about to replace the FCM, however on a hunch, replaced the headlight switch ($60. 00)..... this corrected the problem... . no more flashing lights.



Out of curiosity, I disassembled the headlights switch... . looks like the contacts wore through and were grounding.





By the way... I have a perfectly good used PCM for sale for $100. 00 for an 03 Dodge.



AH

 

[rbattelle]

That's great information, thank you for posting it. Any chance you could take a picture of the inside of the bad switch showing the shorted contacts?

-Ryan

 

[AHann]

I'll see if I can get a photo... . it is difficult to see much less photograph.



AH

 

[WhiteSheep]

Wow AH, thanks for sharing. It is really freaky what these trucks will do with a low battery. I would have done the same as you. Now I know to check the headlight switch. What lead you to that solution?

 

[AHann]

The Headlight switch was a hunch. I had read a number of blogs that indicated that the FCM and the PCM was the culprit... . I replaced the PCM and it did not correct the problem..... I disconnected the H/L switch and connected the batteries as a test..... the problem stopped... . aside from that, the headlight switch was less expensive. It was a guess that the H/L switch would correct the problem.



I disassembled the switch and noted that the contact resting place (OFF Position) looked as though it wore through..... I suspect this intermittent contact could possibly cause the problem.



AH