Ok im not sure if this is the right area to post this, but here is my problem i'll make it short. I got pulled over for Running lights being out, i thought ok no problem just a fuse. well nope check all of fuses and relays. All work fine. now i have the tail lamp relay has 3 hots. One hot should be grounded when i turn the switch on for park lamps, but does not. I have done a little searching and have found that the fcm grounds the park lamps so they come on. now if i run my own ground wire to relay lights work, but will not shut off till ground is broken. Now my question is has anyone else had same problems, and if so am i on the right track of the fcm Because its a $300 part and i would hate to be wrong on something i cant return. Oh yea its a 2004 Ram 1500 5.7Hemi Standard cab.

 

100% this is the Power distribution module........the fuse box to you and I.
This is a common issue and relates to the grounding path you mentioned, being corroded deep within the fuse box.
I did all you mentioned above and used a switched ground flying lead in my cab, to get the running lights working.
I eventually traced out all the gound and input paths to the running lights and discovered this fuse box problem.
Do a search on here and you will find several articles on this very subject.
I personally PM'd several members on here who were somewhat scepticle about the fuse box fix. However, when they changed them out, they all worked as has mine for over 3 years now.
This is still a $250+ part, but it will sort your problems for you.
Hope this helps and has saved you a lot of grief???
Al.

 

ok so its not the Fcm then, its more then likely the fuse box its self. thats only a stealership part to i bet. called dealership 400 bucks for fusebox.

 

Yep.........that price sounds high though?
I paid about $270 back in May 2007 in Florida whilst on holiday there.
But, I guess with inflation your price might be right now?
I'd still shop around though.
I do remember at the time, that this part was on a nationwide backorder.
It sounds pricey, but it WILL fix your problem.
There is a way to re-jumper the fuse box to provide another dedicated earth return path I believe. However, I havent tried that but belive with a bit of thought, it can and has been done.
It might save you that $400???
Hope all this helps, and post up when you get things fixed.
Best of luck.
Al.

 

try salvage yard or pick-n-pull or u-wrench-it.
maybe even www.car-part.com

 

That's a good idea nim81.
But just be careful your not putting in another faulty unit, as these babys corrode badley.
Al.

 

I'm having a similar issue. Have an '04 5.7 HEMI. Drivers side headlight only goes with low beams and passsenger side headlight only goes on with high beams. Also 3 out of the 4 blinker lights don't work. Checked all of bulbs with a meter and checked the fuses and relays. Parking, reverse lights and brake lights run fine. Looking at the Haynes wiring diagram all the lights with issues run through the forward control module or front control module (FCM). Paid close to $300 to the stealership and replaced, but still having the same issue. Do I have to re-flash it. Or does this problem also sound like a bad ground with the power distribution module? Any help would be appreciated.

 

you can use a used pdc (fuse box) but not a fcm (ft controll module) fcm is the silver box on the pdc and they come seprate now not all pdc's have fcm's they like to change thing every year. so if your fuses box has a silver module on one end thats the fcm

 

Update: I finally changed the power distribution center (fuse block) and it finally fixed all of my lighting issues. Apparently there is an issue with the chip boards inside the PDC that are known to corrode. I do not recommend getting one from an auto salvage since those will probably have the same corrosion issue.

There was nothing wrong with the FCM so I re-installed the old one. Unfortunately the dealership does not accept returns on any electronic components. Anyone interested in purchasing a front control module (FCM). Check out ebay links. I have a new one and used one. Part numbers are 56051036 and 56049681.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...#ht_500wt_1182

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Dodge...#ht_500wt_1182

 

Jay8833, I am having nearly identical issues with my 3500, only my headlamp faults are reversed. So you replaced the PDC, running your original FCM and everything was solved? I don't want to order the wrong part. I am going to call the stealership tomorrow. (not a cheap part).