It's happened 4 times now in the last 2 weeks, going out to truck and the power locks don't work (whether keyfob or door switch). Getting in and starting the truck, the headlights won't come on. While trying to find other issues, the windshield wipers won't work.

All the fuses are good, truck runs fine. To "fix" this issue I have had to disconnect the battery and reconnect it resetting the electrical system. Does anyone have any idea what may be causing this issue?

 

Those are classic symptoms of a bad Central Timer Module. It is located in the driver's kick panel and it controls nearly all of the electrical accessories on the truck. The wipers, door locks, keyless entry system, headlights and all dash lights and parking/tail lights, cigarette lighter, radio, are all controlled by the CTM. You might be able to get the CTM to work again by unplugging it and let it sit for a few minutes to reset it, some have reported that helped a bad CTM. Also check and clean all the ground connections on the truck, and be sure to clean the ground connectors in each kick panel. There are ground lugs in the engine compartment on each fender well too, one in the left front wheel well on the frame and depending on what engine you have there is a ground lug on both front corners of the block, in front of the valve covers. Dakota's are sometimes known for bad grounds and that causes a lot of electrical problems.

The only way to test or check the CTM to be sure it is bad is at the Dodge dealer with the DRB-III scan tool. I have read of others paying about $200.00 to $300.00 for a new CTM at the dealer. If you do need a new CTM the dealer will have to program your old keyless entry remote controls to the new CTM. The keyless module is an internal part of the CTM itself. The dealer will need your VIN to order the correct CTM for your truck. There are two different part numbers, one for trucks with keyless entry and all the power options and one for trucks with no power options. CTM failure is kind of a known common problem on Dakota's.

Jimmy

 

Is that price quote for the CTM or for the syncing of the keyless entry? (i have a locksmith buddy that will do the syncing for nothing)

ps: Thanks for the info and reply

 

The price figures I posted are what I have heard of other Dakota owners paying for the CTM, by itself for the part only. The dealer will add labor to install the new CTM and program the keyless entry remotes. I would be very careful about having a locksmith do the keyless programming, I have also read and heard about others who used a locksmith and could not get the keyless/CTM programming done correctly. The locksmith could probably program a new ignition key for you if your truck has the gray Immobilizer key, but you have to use a DRB-III to program the old keyless entry remotes to the new CTM. The CTM does not control the ignition.

There is a post here about how to do the keyless entry remote programming without a DRB scan tool:

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...e-program.html

That post is for programming new remote controls to an existing CTM with keyless entry. I have no idea if it works in reverse, but I would not think so. If your CTM is defective, you could buy a new CTM at the dealer, install it yourself and try the programming procedure. If it doesn't work, then you could have the dealer do the programming with the DRB.

Jimmy

 

Little tip when you get the part. Tell them you will install the part yourself but you will need your keyless programed. It takes 5 min to do to take the old ctm out and put the new one in. I've heard of dealers charging 80.00 to install it. Once its installed go get your keyless programed and your good to go again. You can try to program the keyless yourself but I've never heard of anyone having any luck with it. Its worth a try though. Also when calling around for a ctm call around to different dealers you will be surprised how much more some will charge for it.

 

I did a hard reset of the computer (ie disconnected the battery for 15 min) then reconnected it, and everything began to work again. If this hadn't worked the next step would have been BCM.

 

I have been having these issues too. I tried the hard reset but the lights and intermittent wipers and door locks still don't work, Engin starts fine. Would it be OK to drive it in daylight until I can get it fixed? There was also a battery drain while driving before the lights quit.