Electrical issues

Tiny
ALLEN WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
The previous owner installed an after market security system that has completely messed everything. They installed sub-woofers and amps and all kinds of other after market stuff as well. When they traded the truck they ripped most everything out, leaving wiring hanging everywhere. The security system remained installed in the vehicle, and was also equipped with an aftermarket remote start. When I first purchased the truck it ran fine. Now the turn signals have stopped working in the back, as well as the emergency flashers (The front works fine). The radio has also quit working and the interior lights as well as the exterior lights shut on and off periodically, as if there is a short or a live wire somewhere. I am fairly decent with electrical, and have checked the fuses (none have blown). I have pulled probably fifty feet of non-essential wiring (Wiring that was just hanging and not attached to anything) from the vehicle. I was told it could be a bad ECM, but other than the issues I have stated the truck runs like a champ. There are no engine issues whatsoever. I have also replaced the turn signal switch, thinking that it may have been going bad. I have a few ideas on what it may be, but could use some help pointing me in the right direction. Any ideas?
Monday, November 21st, 2016 AT 7:24 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Do you have the original radio in it now? All digital radios need a memory twelve volt feed wire for the clock and station presets. That twelve volt supply is always tied in with some other circuit that is always live. Chrysler almost always used the interior lights for the memory circuit, but it can be the horn, brake lights, or cigarette lighter on other vehicles.

All radios act differently when that memory twelve volts is missing. Some just have no sound. Some are totally dead. Some work fine but reset to 12:00 each time you turn on the ignition switch.

For the lights, I will have to dig up a wiring diagram. I have a 2014 Ram 1500 that was smashed. A friend has a body shop where he specializes in rebuilding smashed one and two-year-old Dodge trucks. I do a lot of his electrical repairs, so I am fairly familiar with them. Check, if possible, if you have a huge electrical connector behind the inner fender behind the left front tire. That will be a dandy point to make voltage tests.
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Monday, November 21st, 2016 AT 7:33 PM
Tiny
ALLEN WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I actually took the radio out, but yes it has the factory installed radio in it. I just disconnected it temporarily. I will start at the connector behind the fender well. Thanks.

The radio gets power just no sound so the twelve volt could be the issue. I hate fixing issues caused by someone else.
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Monday, November 21st, 2016 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
Also, consider there may be a remote amp in the truck. Chrysler is the only manufacturer that when they use one, it does not increase power or volume. It is only used for tone conditioning for the shape of the vehicle. There used to be a switched twelve volt wire in the radio's connector that was used to turn on power antennas, when used, and remote amps. On newer models like yours, the radio broadcasts a turn on command signal onto the data buss it is connected to. The amp sees that signal, then turns on. For that reason, do not go looking for that wire in the connector, but look for an amp that was unplugged by a previous owner.
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Tuesday, November 22nd, 2016 AT 5:27 PM

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