Hello,

First time poster, longer-time lurker.

I've had my 96 Ram for about 3 years (info in sig). Bought her with 104,000 miles. She's at about 108 now. Primarily a camping/dude time truck.

Last December the truck was stolen the night before my daughters wedding (ugh) and recovered three weeks later with a flat tire, busted ignition, and very dead battery. Looks like they got in by prying behind the passenger door handle and working some rods to unlock door? As far as how busted the ignition was, the column and all was intact, just the cylinder and ignition were thrashed.

My daughter and husband decided to surprise me by replacing the ignition one day while I was at work. She fires up now, but there are a couple issues that have come up and I don't know if they relate to an improperly installed ignition, or thieves who messed up other things..

issue 1) It came with an alarm (Dealer add-on?) two-button remote and panic/valet buttons on dash right above the fog light and OD switches. The button bezel and remote are MOPAR branded, so definitely not aftermarket. I used to keep the truck in Valet mode and all was good. Thieves broke the circuit board on the dash in half. Now the truck will only start if the unlock button is pressed on the remote. Every time. This is bad because the remote is literally falling apart, and I only have one. Needless to say a new remote is in my near future. I would like to bypass this completely as the power locks don't work anyway (they make noise, but nothing moves).

issue 2) When driving with the headlights on, the "HEY! You left your headlights on!" buzzer runs constantly.. keys in the ignition, truck running, doors closed. Still buzzes. But only when the headlights are on which I guess is a moral victory.

Would it be worth my time to uninstall/re-install the ignition, or are there other gremlins that may have crept in?

The truck is far from perfect otherwise.. have the wild ducts, no cruise control, fog lights turn on, but won't stay on unless i hold the button (?), ABS/Brake dash lights on, and no reverse lights.. needless to say her part-time driver status meant I didn't give her the love she deserved... but I will figure out those problems soon.. I know there is a lot of info on those other issues in the forum already.

Being in Arizona, law enforcement and everyone assumed I'd find her burning in the desert - they like stealing 4x4 trucks here for a one-pass off road drug run from Mexico then burn the evidence.. I'm just glad to have her back.

I know I talked a lot and I promise future posts will be shorter.

Thanks in advance!

 

I would try removing the alarm completely first, and see if most of your problems don't go away.

Is the ignition switch part of the lock??

 

How complicated a task is it to remove the alarm completely? I haven't looked under the dash, nor have I looked at a schematic (I wouldnt know what I was reading anyway!). Is it as simple as tracing some wires, unplugging some connectors and being good to go?

As far as the ignition being part of the lock. They replaced the lock cylinder and sleeve and also the "Ignition Starter Switch". Basically this part:

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...2018&ppt=C0039

Sorry if my terminology is awful. I'm more comfortable pointing at a part and saying "That thing". Probably why I'm having such a hard time finding my vacuum issues too.

I will search the forum for alarm removal too

Thanks!

 

Alarm removal is going to really depend on what alarm you have. Some wires are cut during installation, and those circuits are routed thru the box for the alarm.... might be fun trying to sort that out...... wiring diagrams would be a must, so you would know which wires are doing what. Reading diagrams takes a bit of doing, but, once you figger out the trick, it becomes easier.

Ok, ignition switch is indeed part of the lock...... Wonder if the thieves butchered some of your wiring........

 

That ignition switch is the standard OEM type switch. Alarm module will tie into wiring and not mechanically connected. If it is factory installed unit, the wiring diagrams for your truck should show how it is connnected with and then an alternative diagram for "without" alarm system. Wiring diagrams will have wire color marked on drawing as well. But if cb is broken, then compnenet failure is likely as well. Maybe order new module and plug it in and se if it is good after that. Wiring around it may be more complex.