Another case study. Today I had a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9 diesel truck in my shop. Customers main concern was that only the driver side headlight was working. He had another shop tell him that he needed the fuse box aka IPM, but he wanted me to verify the problem. He also had a concern about the window and lock not working on the rear driver side. Follow me as I take you step by step through the troubleshooting procedure that I used to diagnose these electrical concerns on this vehicle.
as a side note I wanted to clear up my misuse of the acronym TIPM which stands for Totally Integrated Module. That term is used for dodge ram models 2006 and up. The 2004 model that I am dealing with uses 2 separate components called the IPM (integrated power module aka fuse box) and the FCM (front control module). In the TIPM for 2006 and up, the 2 components are integrated into one unit.
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Excellent video
Eric- Fantastic FCM tutorial. Question reprogramming. 5+ questions in comments say no programming required. Video says reprogramming. I have 2005 Jeep GC 4.7 with FCM problem and service manual warns against non programmed FCM. Few resources. Can I use a salvage FCM to fix mine?
Amazing! I got me a Dodge Ram 1500, 4.7, 2002. The running lights stopped working front and back, everything else works. Was wondering if it is the FCM. Took the FCM to O'Ralliey to run a test on it but they could not help me out. They told me if there s no sign or corrossion it should be fine . Still think it s the FCM at fault, just have not found a way to test it yet. Will plan on going to the junk yard tomorrow to see if I can find a FCM. Autozone and O'Ralliey sells them remanufactured for $200 + core.
Incredible knowledge transfer skills. I’d see something and think “I wonder how that worked” and you’d explain it later. Great video. Wow
Can't tell you how many of these tipm modules I have had to trace out in my life started off with relays going bad for the turn signals for the tow package back then there was over a thousand of these things on backorder and they were well over $1,000 now we have headlight problems fuel pump problems gotten to the point where my guys at the parts store so nice to me I just end up buying the tipm module if I suspect it cost is only about 3 to $600 nowadays plug it in problem solved almost every time when I suspect that's where the problem is I have also found that banging on the module assembly sometimes can recreate the intermittent failures in these things worst thing that I see is people buy these fuel pump bypass kits online to fix the fuel pump circuits when they fail in these modules this results in key on engine off power a lot of people with hot rods also wire their fuel pumps in this way so many people including so-called technicians don't realize that you're just feeding the fire in an accident if you're unable to turn the key off and your engine stalls and you have a ruptured fuel line you are just feeding the fire can't tell you how many rewires I've done for that particular scenario anyway nice to see somebody else isn't just a parts changer
Thanks so much taking the time to share your knowledge and experience. Very helpful.
Eric, Excellent video and diagnoses. This has helped me immensely during my trouble shooting of my 2004 Dodge 2500. I had other issues as well, i.e. severe grounding issue that appeared to be only the FCM but with the help of your video and some others I finally have it fully functional.
Thank you my headlight has been driving me nuts
could the fcm have been tested if you used an adjustable benchtoP Power suPPly? feed Power thru the fcm and checked the outPut lead for the light?
what website, Program or aPP are you using to see the wiring diagram?
This helped very much, thank you!
This helped very much, thank you!
I have the same problem driver side low beam works but passenger side does not. When I turn the highbeams on I have no low or high beams any idea if it’s the control module? Also I have a 2006 Dodge 2500 5.7L? I have power low beam on the passenger side but when I turn on high beam I lose everything idk if it was a back feed or what’s going on.
Great trouble shoot
Hello Sir. Do you have a reliable source for lighting schematics , 2014 Ram 1500. Any help appreciated. Thank you.
Extremely useful info, I have an 04.5 5.9 and my daytime running lights have been randomly turning on and off.. Im going to follow your diagnostic technique tomorrow to track down the culprit. Thanks!
Wait! You counted the wrong way! (15:08 onward)
Pin 1 was on on the left as you were looking at the FCM
As you turn the module around to plug it in the the fuse box, that will place pin 1 on the right!
At 15:28 you really needed to start counting pin 1 from the right not the left.
Otherwise a very well done and methodical troubleshooting video I found very useful today!
Edit:
I was also able to "fix" my FCM by cleaning up pin 1 on the module and giving it a very gentle/small bend/twist so it made better contact with the IPM
It was only my low beam that was out on the passenger side. I was not aware of any power items (windows etc.) not working.
Now that’s real troubleshooting. Not just a parts changer. Great job! Great video.
Excellent video. You the man
Great diag skills. That poor truck has been so abused it's ready for the junkyard or teaching school.
One of the best mechanical how to videos I have ever watched. Thorough and to the point. No fluff just a really great how to.
Got an '04 with the same problem. No low beam on the driver side even with a new bulb. Several other electrical issues that may or may not involve that voodoo box. If I could figure out how to bypass the FCM I'd do it in a heartbeat. My truck has manual windows, manual door locks, manual seats, manual mirrors, manual transmission… but I still need a $400 computer to operate my lights? Dafuq?
Aloha Eric, i have a 06 ram and currently have an issue with the head lights, possibly from installing LED after market up grade. That has been scraped and now back with the original Halogen. Wish that you lived in Hawaii to help! wondering if you will give me the make and source for the test probe equipment used in this wonder tutorial.
Do you by any chance have a link for the piercing tool you used at 5:45??
On my when I used the low beam only the one on the driver side works , when I used the high beam it works only on the passenger side just that one the same with the low but it works only on the driver side, what do you think about my problem do you think that
Yeah I have a problem on my 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 rear wheel drive but on my truck when When I put the lobe in it works on the driver shy and when I switch it to the Hy-Vee he works just one on the right side the same thing with the lobe just one on their left side