Possible TIPM Issues

[RAndersen]

Hey all,

I've been a long time lurker on this website ever since owning my Dodge, always have done my research for anything I may need for my truck on these forums, and rarely haven't found the answer I'm looking for.

Now, with that said, I'm having possible issues with my TIPM. There's a little back story and I'll keep it short.

Purchased my 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4 5.7L 31 Sept 2014. Installed RetroShop's HID kit, recommended on these forums, for it almost right away because who doesn't like to see better at night? I have had NO issues AT ALL until one week ago when my driver's side bulb went out. Initially, I thought it went out so I purchased some new bulbs. New bulbs get here, doesn't work. Switch ballasts and the whole nine yards, still down on drivers side.

Did some research, apparently this is a common issue with 06 and newer dodges.

Is there a quick fix or better way remedy the problem or is replacing the TIPM a must?

Ram has 114k miles if that means anything to some of you.

Also took it to the dealership and they claimed they reseted the dam thing so I set up a appointment for "diagnostics" as they say.

Help

 

[7777xm]

have your tried plugging in a regular halogen bulb and see if it will fire up?

 

[OutLore]

Not sure how the harness works on the retrofits - but the standard main harness connector to the headlamps is prone to getting screwy.

 

[RAndersen]

Just an update. Finally got around to tinkering with the truck after the holidays.

I plugged in the old halogens. Both bulbs only work on the passenger side. Checked the voltage on the green connection and the bulb connection on the drivers side, only milli volts running through at each connections but 12v's running through every other connection to include the high beams.

I tried wiggling all the connections to see if it was anything lose;no cigar.

I'm fairly confident now that it's the TIPM.

Would anyone recommend running a wire from the passenger side and pumping amps to the drivers side?

Or maybe solder the broke connection on the TIPM?

Or any other redneck engineering?

I've contacted Dodge about this and there's an open investigation with the NHTSA but no recall.

 

[Hootbro]

Would anyone recommend running a wire from the passenger side and pumping amps to the drivers side?

First of all, you do not "pump" amps, you draw amps on a circuit. As to running from the passenger side to the drivers, no way unless you run it as a relay trip with the primary draw being from the battery and only fused inline. Your HID mod seems to already stressed the TIPM for the drivers side and doing this a straight power run from passenger to drivers light will probably fry your passenger side also.

I've contacted Dodge about this and there's an open investigation with the NHTSA but no recall.

Do not expect the heavens to open up for you since on this with either RAM or the NHTSA as you have admitted you modded the system outside factory design and they will not act upon that.

 

[OutLore]

I had what I thought was a TIPM issue recently, and after learning that it's a $900 part with install/programming charge on top of that, I fixed my issue (was a connector problem as it turns out)

If it were me - I'd run a feed from the working side to relays which then powers the other sides corresponding light directly from a power source independently fused outside of the TIPM - if as has been suggested this fries the other circuit in the TIPM, (which I would think is unlikely as the extra load would only be that of the relay for each light - no more than adding additional lights) then you've not really lost anything - you would have had to replace it anyway.

Other option would be to put your own switch (or try and get to the OEM switch output) and wire the headlights completely out of the TIPM circuitry.

The TIPM is basically the entire fusebox assembly and computer control - not something that you could typically just solder a loose connection - but might be worth a shot if you're competent and the remaining option is replacing the TIPM.