03 Ram Electrical Issues ?
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03 Ram Electrical Issues ?
I have a 2003 Ram 1500 4.7L. I've been experiencing the following over the past several months:
1. Driver-side brake light frequently burns out. The bulb is slightly melted at the base when I take it out.
2. RPMs will fluctuate from 300 to 1,000 when sitting at idle and sometimes the engine will stall. Starts right back up.
3. The A/C fan/blower will continue to blow air in the cab when the truck has been turned off.
4. The A/C fan/blower is intermittently working as of a couple days ago.
Regarding the A/C fan/blower, someone looked at it and said it's probably a short in a wire under the dash. Before I have someone tear apart the dashboard and spend a lot of $$, I wanted to get some feedback from this forum. Thanks in advance!!
1. Driver-side brake light frequently burns out. The bulb is slightly melted at the base when I take it out.
2. RPMs will fluctuate from 300 to 1,000 when sitting at idle and sometimes the engine will stall. Starts right back up.
3. The A/C fan/blower will continue to blow air in the cab when the truck has been turned off.
4. The A/C fan/blower is intermittently working as of a couple days ago.
Regarding the A/C fan/blower, someone looked at it and said it's probably a short in a wire under the dash. Before I have someone tear apart the dashboard and spend a lot of $$, I wanted to get some feedback from this forum. Thanks in advance!!
Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,702
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From: N. Florida
1. Correct bulb? If it's drawing more current than it should, it'll get hot. Is it brighter than the passenger side?
2. Throttle body clean? Plugs? PCV valve?
3. Sounds like a bad switch
4. Ditto.
2. Throttle body clean? Plugs? PCV valve?
3. Sounds like a bad switch
4. Ditto.
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,168
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From: South GA
1. Some trucks have had issues with those rear tail light circuits. They have experienced melting issues and bulbs going out because of it. There are several reports of it. Those circuit boards need to be replaced.
2. I also agree with pulling the TB off and using non-chlorinated brake cleaner to clean it. Also check the plugs condition. When was the last time you did a full tune up on it?
3. I was thinking bad switch also. If you turn the key off and the switch on and it still blows then I would think bad ignition switch. But if you turn both the key off and the fan switch off and it still blows then I would say both ignition switch and fan blower switch.
4. Again, could be the fan switch or the fan resistor block or the fan blower motor. You will need to narrow it down.
2. I also agree with pulling the TB off and using non-chlorinated brake cleaner to clean it. Also check the plugs condition. When was the last time you did a full tune up on it?
3. I was thinking bad switch also. If you turn the key off and the switch on and it still blows then I would think bad ignition switch. But if you turn both the key off and the fan switch off and it still blows then I would say both ignition switch and fan blower switch.
4. Again, could be the fan switch or the fan resistor block or the fan blower motor. You will need to narrow it down.
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Thanks for your feedback guys. I took the truck to the dealer and here's the info I have...
1. My brake lights were actually recently stolen. Not sure if this is even an issue anymore since I now have new lights.
2. Had the dealer replace the plugs. Haven't noticed any more fluctuation in the RPMs.
3 & 4. Dealer said the electrical harness was burnt. Replaced that harness as well as the ignition - I guess they're linked somehow. Seems to be working fine so far.
1. My brake lights were actually recently stolen. Not sure if this is even an issue anymore since I now have new lights.
2. Had the dealer replace the plugs. Haven't noticed any more fluctuation in the RPMs.
3 & 4. Dealer said the electrical harness was burnt. Replaced that harness as well as the ignition - I guess they're linked somehow. Seems to be working fine so far.