Please help

Mattkassebaum · Feb 10, 2017

Okay so I know this does not belong in this forum but I need help!!! Have an 03 1500 with the Hemi. Pulled out of the gas station and it just shut off. Towed it home and it started right up. Drove to work next day and same thing...shut off. Towed it home and still wont start. It cranks but will not start. Here's the thing....it starts on starting fluid so the spark is good. No codes. I did notice now that the wipers dont work and horn does not work on the wheel or key fob. All the research I see says front or forward control module (fmc). Also heard it called body control module. Again, I have checked all fuses and relays. As I said, all three of those problems are only combined at that module. Please an help!!!

Rambo182 · Feb 10, 2017

Loose battery connection maybe?

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Marciel · Feb 10, 2017

Strange it's not throwing codes. My 06 started stalling one night and barely got me home but it threw several codes. Turned out to be a bad battery. The strange part was it didn't crank over slow or anything so I didn't know. My mechanic buddy said said it may be my aftermarket ignition coils sucking more juice. I put a 700 amp battery in it and have had no problems since.

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huntergreen · Feb 10, 2017

a worn battery plays havoc with your electronics. that or a loose ground somewhere.

GsRAM · Feb 11, 2017

Agreed, pull the battety and have it load tested for starters. Newer vehicles are very sensitive to battery voltage. They may crank fine but run like crap or not at all. I think my old 97 ram actually did that once.

Make sure you're battery terminals are clean and you have a good ground

Mattkassebaum · Feb 11, 2017

Maybe its something that simple. I did a lot of digging on forums and even thought it the ECM but if the ECM controls everything, including th FCM, then it wouldnt seem that anything would work. One forum said that the power locks were actually wired in with the ok to start. Ive heard alot of people complain about lights and radio and gauges acting goofy because of the FCM, but like I said mine is just start and wiper and horn. The only other thing and its a long shot is that I thought the FCM is not putting out enough volts to to run the wiper and horns because of me trying to start it and that maybe Im lucky enough for it just to be a fuel pump. The only problem with that is that if there's not enough voltage to run the wiper and the horn why is there enough voltage running through it to turn all the lights on and turn signals and Radio and brake lights and tail lights? Thank you for replying to my dilemma and offering me suggestions.

Mattkassebaum · Feb 11, 2017

Mine is a new battery and it cranks good and actually acts like a fuel pump. Whats throwing me off is the no wipers or horn on the wheel OR the key fob. All fuses are good on wiper and horn. Everything else works good. Thats why I was leaning to the FCM.

SilverStreak88 · Feb 11, 2017

Mattkassebaum said:
Mine is a new battery and it cranks good and actually acts like a fuel pump. Whats throwing me off is the no wipers or horn on the wheel OR the key fob. All fuses are good on wiper and horn. Everything else works good. Thats why I was leaning to the FCM.

Okay, I a similar problem years back, but mine would start right back up, ended up being my EGR, since I started running 93 octane I haven't had that issue since. Fast forward and I started having an intermittent issue like yours and it was the fuel pump. I replaced the pump and all is good, if you turn the key to "ON" position you should hear the pump prime 5 seconds. Do this several times and see if the pump comes on each time or if it doesn't some times.

Edit: I just reread your first post, it does sound like electrical issue, that fuse box would be #1. Even though the fuses and relays are good it's quite possibly something internal, those things are a big issue with our trucks.

rsdata · Feb 11, 2017

sounds to me like an electronic issue with those other things not working... check ground wire connections to the body for corrosion and clean them up...

Mattkassebaum · Feb 11, 2017

Okay I tested battery and is all good. Looked at all connections under fuse box and all are clean. Checked FCM and it is spotless. Cleaned all battery connections all good. My dealer can run the computer to it for $99. They say an hour to run through the whole program and can find things even without it throwing codes. Obviously they can find things that my handheld cant seeing mine will only read codes. Im leaning to the ECM or FCM. It seems our trucks are common for that. I gave $2000 for it 3 years ago with 179,000 on it and its absolutely spotless and all Ive done is put tires and an alternator on it so I cant complain now. Its just frustrating because it my only vehicle.

crash68 · Feb 11, 2017

Have them check out the TIPM. When that acts up, it can cause all sorts of issues. My neighbor had to replace his, the truck wouldn't start.

Mattkassebaum · Feb 12, 2017

The TIPM....thats the whole fuse box right?

RonJon '06 · Feb 12, 2017

Mattkassebaum said:
The TIPM....thats the whole fuse box right?

The TIPMs are only on the 2006 and newer Rams. I'd start by listening for the fuel pump to make sure it's priming as suggested and check to see if you have fuel pressure. There's a Schrader valve on the top passenger's side of the engine where you can check it.

Mattkassebaum · Feb 12, 2017

Mines an 03. I just did the fuel pump pressure test and I have zero pressure. I tried tapping the tank and pump with no results. I know that alone says fuel pump but does not explain the wiper not working and the horn not working at the same time. As my earlier post said the horn wont work on the wheel or key fob and wiper does not work but washer does. Im still leaning to FCM or PCM(ECM). ONLY because that is where all three problems are linked. My question now is .....is the fuel pump a dummy? I mean when you turn the key on, the pump should come on and say maybe be 40 psi (just a guess). Does it maintain the pressure or does the computer tell the pump to turn on?

RonJon '06 · Feb 12, 2017

When the key is turned on the fuel pump should prime and maintain a pressure around 57 psi. I'd also suspect the FCM or maybe corrosion in the fusebox. I'm not great at electrical but if you've got a voltmeter you could test the circuits to see where the voltage is dropping before replacing any expensive parts. Could also bite the bullet and take it in to the shop for the diagnostic.

Mattrich67 · Feb 12, 2017

Have someone crank the motor over with you under the truck hitting the gas tank with a big hammer at the same time.
If it starts up then it's fuel pump.
Very common for those dodges I have done plenty pumps in those.

Mattkassebaum · Feb 13, 2017

Okay, thank you for all the help. I did try to run a wire straight from the battery to the prong in the relay for the fuel pump and nothing kicked on. I did the same thing for the wipers and the horn. All with negative results. I am going to agree and say I believe it is the fcm or the fuse box. I have it scheduled for Thursday to have it put on a computer and hopefully that will tell me.

Mattkassebaum · Feb 16, 2017

Okay, update from the stealership. Had a 3pm appt today. Evidently my money isnt a priority so they didnt look at it today. Maybe tomorrow.

Mattkassebaum · Feb 19, 2017

Okay for those who are following this, the dealer said the truck threw a code for the fuel pump relay control circuit. My scanner couldnt read any codes but obviously theirs is more in depth. An ideas? Is this something I can tackle at home? Kinda of nervous about a dealer telling me about something I nothing about. That usually means I need a deep wallet.

SilverStreak88 · Feb 19, 2017

The fuse box would still be muy first guess, the early 3rd gen's seem to have the most fuse box issues. I'f it makes you feel any better I think mine is going out as well, I'll pull mine apart and re-flow everything on the board in hopes that it'll alleviate anymore issues.

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