2003 Ram 1500 Electrical Issues

Asked by titanium3er Apr 26, 2016 at 08:51 PM about the 2003 Dodge RAM 1500 SLT 4WD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

First, let me thank anyone who provides any advice in advance for their time.
I'll try to make my long story short!

I bought a 2003 Ram 1500 4.7 V8 last week. It had a few lights out when I
bought it, but I didn't really think much of it except that I'd need to replace a
few bulbs or maybe a socket. So much for that!

Essentially, there are a number of electrical components which aren't
functioning at all. These are the one's I'm aware of:

-Interior overhead console
-Driver side rear turn signal
-All brake lamps (driver side, passenger side, and third brake light)
-Driver and passenger side reverse lights
-Driver side power mirror

Interestingly, the rear parking lights, the passenger side rear turn signal, and
the cargo lamps (the white lights within the third brake light) all work. The
passenger side power mirror also works. The driver side brake lamp was
working in the beginning of my troubleshooting, but I seem to have done
something which caused it to go out and I can't get it working again.

I decided to start by troubleshooting the rear brake lights so I replaced all
bulbs, checked all fuses/relays, and switched the left socket (circuit board?) to
the right and vice versa. The passenger side rear turn signal continued to work
after the socket swap and the driver side rear turn signal continued to not
function. To me this would indicate the issue isn't the sockets. I also looked at
the wiring underneath the truck and there are no obvious issues with it. I also
checked the brake light switch underneath the dash and the plug was fully
seated. I reseated it just to be sure.

After doing a bunch of research it appears these trucks have fuse boxes and
front control modules that are susceptible to corrosion. This truck was driven
in the mud, so it isn't a stretch to imagine moisture getting into the fuse box or
FCM if those components weren't properly sealed. Can anyone offer any other
testing suggestions before I try to replace one or both of the above?

1 Answer

10

having a bad battery in bad cables is only going to cause a problem if you were Vehicles not getting the proper amount of amps. But if it's not doing that it's likely not even going to turn on or start much less having minor electrical issues. Electrical issues come from fuses, relays, control modules and wires. I have seen other people with similar problems who have found the relay switch in the fuse box to be the problem. Number 73 to be exact. If I were you I would start there. The only stupid thing about these relay switches is that you can't test them like you could have simple fuse. You have to basically pull it out and put a new one in in order to see if the old one was bad.

1 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2003 Dodge RAM 1500

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Dan Connell
    Reputation
    19,830
  • #2
    dandyoun
    Reputation
    15,170
  • #3
    Gene Arnett
    Reputation
    11,710
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Ford F-150
5,911 Great Deals out of 122,780 listings starting at $1,995
Used Chevrolet Silverado 1500
4,058 Great Deals out of 129,458 listings starting at $2,995
Used GMC Sierra 1500
1,829 Great Deals out of 62,198 listings starting at $3,795
Used Dodge RAM 2500
52 Great Deals out of 1,005 listings starting at $6,900
Used Toyota Tundra
1,006 Great Deals out of 31,620 listings starting at $3,900
Used Toyota Tacoma
1,771 Great Deals out of 29,757 listings starting at $3,700
Used Dodge Durango
703 Great Deals out of 19,523 listings starting at $3,991
Used Jeep Grand Cherokee
2,451 Great Deals out of 47,101 listings starting at $800
Used Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
1,074 Great Deals out of 30,274 listings starting at $3,800
Used Ford Mustang
882 Great Deals out of 23,005 listings starting at $1,995
Used Ford F-250 Super Duty
1,387 Great Deals out of 40,030 listings starting at $2,995
Used Chevrolet Tahoe
1,026 Great Deals out of 19,243 listings starting at $2,995

Used Cars For Sale

2009 Dodge RAM 1500 SLT 4WD For Sale
1 listings starting at $6,500
2006 Dodge RAM 1500 SLT 4WD For Sale
6 listings starting at $5,000

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.