Lamp out Light
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Lamp out Light
I got the dreaded lamp out light last night, i replaced every bulb this morning and i still get it... when i turn the lights on the drivers side low beam does not work, when in high beam only the passenger high beam is on and the drivers side is dead... All the fuses look fine, and the turn signal is not working on the drivers side, and it flashes twice as fast as it should.. Any ideas? i really dont want to bring it to the stealership..
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This wasn't much help (Service Manual)
OPERATION
The lamp out indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when an exterior lamp has failed. This indicator is
controlled by the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received
by the cluster from the Front Control Module (FCM) over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data
bus.
The lamp out indicator is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow
this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch
output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the indicator will always be off when the ignition switch is in any position except
On or Start. The indicator only illuminates when it is switched to ground by the instrument cluster circuitry. The
instrument cluster will turn on the lamp out indicator for the following reasons:
² Lamp Out Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives a lamp out indicator lamp-on message
from the FCM indicating that an inoperative headlamp (low or high beam), turn signal lamp, or brake
DR/DH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER -SERVICE INFORMATION 8J - 129
lamp (excluding Center High Mounted Stop Lamp [CHMSL]) circuit has been detected with the ignition switch
in the On position, the lamp out indicator is illuminated solid. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster
receives a lamp out indicator lamp-off message from the FCM or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off
position, whichever occurs first. If the lamp-on message is received when the ignition is first turned to the On
position, the lamp out indicator is flashed at a fast rate (1 Hertz) for about thirty seconds before illuminating
solid.
² Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the lamp out indicator will be turned on,
then off again during the VFD portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the VFD and the cluster control
circuitry.
The FCM monitors each of the headlamp, turn signal lamp, and brake lamp (except CHMSL) circuits to determine
the condition of these exterior lamps. The FCM then sends the proper lamp out indicator lamp-on and lamp-off
messages to the instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the lamp out indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry
that controls the indicator, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
For proper diagnosis of the exterior lighting system circuits, the FCM, the PCI data bus, or the electronic message
inputs to the instrument cluster that control the lamp out indicator, a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information
OPERATION
The lamp out indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when an exterior lamp has failed. This indicator is
controlled by the instrument cluster circuit board based upon cluster programming and electronic messages received
by the cluster from the Front Control Module (FCM) over the Programmable Communications Interface (PCI) data
bus.
The lamp out indicator is completely controlled by the instrument cluster logic circuit, and that logic will only allow
this indicator to operate when the instrument cluster receives a battery current input on the fused ignition switch
output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the indicator will always be off when the ignition switch is in any position except
On or Start. The indicator only illuminates when it is switched to ground by the instrument cluster circuitry. The
instrument cluster will turn on the lamp out indicator for the following reasons:
² Lamp Out Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the cluster receives a lamp out indicator lamp-on message
from the FCM indicating that an inoperative headlamp (low or high beam), turn signal lamp, or brake
DR/DH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER -SERVICE INFORMATION 8J - 129
lamp (excluding Center High Mounted Stop Lamp [CHMSL]) circuit has been detected with the ignition switch
in the On position, the lamp out indicator is illuminated solid. The indicator remains illuminated until the cluster
receives a lamp out indicator lamp-off message from the FCM or until the ignition switch is turned to the Off
position, whichever occurs first. If the lamp-on message is received when the ignition is first turned to the On
position, the lamp out indicator is flashed at a fast rate (1 Hertz) for about thirty seconds before illuminating
solid.
² Actuator Test - Each time the cluster is put through the actuator test, the lamp out indicator will be turned on,
then off again during the VFD portion of the test to confirm the functionality of the VFD and the cluster control
circuitry.
The FCM monitors each of the headlamp, turn signal lamp, and brake lamp (except CHMSL) circuits to determine
the condition of these exterior lamps. The FCM then sends the proper lamp out indicator lamp-on and lamp-off
messages to the instrument cluster. For further diagnosis of the lamp out indicator or the instrument cluster circuitry
that controls the indicator, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
For proper diagnosis of the exterior lighting system circuits, the FCM, the PCI data bus, or the electronic message
inputs to the instrument cluster that control the lamp out indicator, a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information
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From DodgeForum Member "DEUCE";
Allright, not trying to sound harsh, but it sounds like you have not researched your problem at all. I have replyed to multiple post like this. If all your lights work and all your fuses are good than 99% of the time the light bar has failed. The reason the lights work is because the light bar hasa short. Take off your rear light lens and you will see a gray light bar that houses the lightbulbs. There is no way to tell which is bad. usually for some reason the drivers side goes bad first. A new one at the dealer cost $26. Put it on yourself. Its only a few screws. This is a common problem on 3rd gen Rams. Nothing serious the ding just gets really annoying!
I Dont think this would also account for the headlights not working right and the turn signals being f%$ked..
Allright, not trying to sound harsh, but it sounds like you have not researched your problem at all. I have replyed to multiple post like this. If all your lights work and all your fuses are good than 99% of the time the light bar has failed. The reason the lights work is because the light bar hasa short. Take off your rear light lens and you will see a gray light bar that houses the lightbulbs. There is no way to tell which is bad. usually for some reason the drivers side goes bad first. A new one at the dealer cost $26. Put it on yourself. Its only a few screws. This is a common problem on 3rd gen Rams. Nothing serious the ding just gets really annoying!
I Dont think this would also account for the headlights not working right and the turn signals being f%$ked..
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Conducted actuator test; Found Code A4 (Ignition/Start Circuit Rationality)
Successful completion of the actuator test will confirm that the instrument cluster is operational. However, there may
still be a problem with the PCI data bus, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the Engine Control Module (ECM),
the Front Control Module (FCM), the Transmission Control Module (TCM), the Transfer Case Control Module
(TCCM), the Airbag Control Module (ACM), the Controller Anti-lock Brake (CAB), or the hard wired inputs to one of
these electronic control modules. Use a diagnostic scan tool to diagnose these components. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information.
1. Begin the test with the ignition switch in the Off position.
2. Depress the odometer/trip odometer switch button.
3. While still holding the odometer/trip odometer switch button depressed, turn the ignition switch to the On position,
but do not start the engine.
4. Release the odometer/trip odometer switch button.
5. The instrument cluster will simultaneously begin to illuminate all of the operational segments in both VFD units
and perform a bulb check of each operational LED indicator. The VFD segments and LED indicators remain
illuminated as each gauge needle is swept to several calibration points and back. If a VFD segment or an LED
indicator fails to illuminate, or if a gauge needle fails to sweep through the calibration points and back during this
test, the instrument cluster must be replaced. Following these tests, the actuator test will proceed as described
in Step 6.
6. The text “C Code” is displayed in the odometer VFD for about three seconds. If there is no stored fault information,
the display will show two pairs of zeroes in the format “00” “00”, which indicate that the display of fault
information is done. If there is stored fault information, two sets of two-digit alpha and alpha-numeric fault codes
will appear in the odometer display for a three second interval. The first pair of digits represents a Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC), or fault code for the instrument cluster. The second pair of digits is a counter for the number
of ignition key cycles that have occurred since the displayed DTC was set. The instrument cluster will continue
to display additional sets of two pairs of digits at three second intervals until all of the stored codes have
been displayed, which is again signaled by a code of “00” “00”. Refer to the Instrument Cluster Failure Message
table for a description of each fault code that the instrument cluster displays.
Successful completion of the actuator test will confirm that the instrument cluster is operational. However, there may
still be a problem with the PCI data bus, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), the Engine Control Module (ECM),
the Front Control Module (FCM), the Transmission Control Module (TCM), the Transfer Case Control Module
(TCCM), the Airbag Control Module (ACM), the Controller Anti-lock Brake (CAB), or the hard wired inputs to one of
these electronic control modules. Use a diagnostic scan tool to diagnose these components. Refer to the appropriate
diagnostic information.
1. Begin the test with the ignition switch in the Off position.
2. Depress the odometer/trip odometer switch button.
3. While still holding the odometer/trip odometer switch button depressed, turn the ignition switch to the On position,
but do not start the engine.
4. Release the odometer/trip odometer switch button.
5. The instrument cluster will simultaneously begin to illuminate all of the operational segments in both VFD units
and perform a bulb check of each operational LED indicator. The VFD segments and LED indicators remain
illuminated as each gauge needle is swept to several calibration points and back. If a VFD segment or an LED
indicator fails to illuminate, or if a gauge needle fails to sweep through the calibration points and back during this
test, the instrument cluster must be replaced. Following these tests, the actuator test will proceed as described
in Step 6.
6. The text “C Code” is displayed in the odometer VFD for about three seconds. If there is no stored fault information,
the display will show two pairs of zeroes in the format “00” “00”, which indicate that the display of fault
information is done. If there is stored fault information, two sets of two-digit alpha and alpha-numeric fault codes
will appear in the odometer display for a three second interval. The first pair of digits represents a Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC), or fault code for the instrument cluster. The second pair of digits is a counter for the number
of ignition key cycles that have occurred since the displayed DTC was set. The instrument cluster will continue
to display additional sets of two pairs of digits at three second intervals until all of the stored codes have
been displayed, which is again signaled by a code of “00” “00”. Refer to the Instrument Cluster Failure Message
table for a description of each fault code that the instrument cluster displays.
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I got the dreaded lamp out light last night, i replaced every bulb this morning and i still get it... when i turn the lights on the drivers side low beam does not work, when in high beam only the passenger high beam is on and the drivers side is dead... All the fuses look fine, and the turn signal is not working on the drivers side, and it flashes twice as fast as it should.. Any ideas? i really dont want to bring it to the stealership..
chasis on drivers side. In the area near the battery. I would unbolt it, sand
down to bare unrusty metal and see if that works.
I was messing with FCM, Fuse box, sockets till I found the ground was my
problem.
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Well it wasn't the tail lamp circuit, im gonna change out the Power Distribution Center (AKA Fuse box) next, and see if that fixes it. The PDC's are known to corrode and cause this issue.. P/N 68005479AA
I plan on getting it from;
http://www.factorymoparparts.com/ they are based here in Tampa and are much cheaper than the Stealersip.
I plan on getting it from;
http://www.factorymoparparts.com/ they are based here in Tampa and are much cheaper than the Stealersip.
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New PDC seems to have fixed it.... The new fuse boxes come with a plastic splash guard that doesn't seem to fit, i will get around to putting it in sooner or later... so glad to be done with this electrical crap.
