Problem with headlights/parking lights/turn signals

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Nitmoe

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Ram Year
2011
Engine
5.7L Hemi
I have a 2011 Ram 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi. I got the truck from auction with some issues. It has around 39K miles on it. I have replaced the PCM with a refurbished unit from Dorman. This was done to correct a transmission solenoid error, which is now solved. When I got the truck, #1 coil pack had been removed, injector was unplugged, and the throttle body was nowhere to be found. I found that it had 4 clogged injectors, now it's running fine.

The persistent problem that I have is with the lights. It looks like someone cut the rear harness, possibly while the wires were still live. I've found some diagrams that show wiring colors at the taillights, but the wires at the main wiring loom (near the spare tire location) are different. So far, if I remember correctly, I have right tail light working, and on the trailer plug I have 12+, ground, brake. and parking light.

In the front, the headlights come on with the parking light switch, and the parking lights come on with the headlight switch. I tried the switch in another truck, and it's working fine. I have tried 2 known good TIPM units, which made no change. 3rd/ center brake light doesn't work either. Turn signals work on the rearview mirrors, but I don't think anywhere else.

I also have no fuel level, no code.

I haven't seen any wires that look damaged. The truck was probably wrecked, but any body damage it had was already repaired before I got it.

So, my questions would be: Does anyone have wiring diagrams for the rear? Is there another control module somewhere other than the TIPM? Where else might I look for the cause of this issue?
 

JHoward

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Well, you got the truck from "auction", hence someone else's unsolved problem ...

Have you considered why ... usually auction vehicles have issues and are sold off to individuals at no risk to them?

Second, RAM trucks are most and more likely to perform better with OEM parts, rather than aftermarket parts.

Hopefully, someone will chime in on your dilemma.
 
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Nitmoe

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I thought that I had explained it fairly thoroughly in my post. It was most likely wrecked at some point, I'm guessing front and rear. The fenders don't appear to have been replaced, as they have identical paint fade matching the cab, doors, and hood. From this, a short could have occurred in one of the front headlight housings. None of the wires appear to have been damaged or tampered with. The bed has been replaced, and it looks like it had a flatbed on it at one time. Like I said, the main wiring in the back near the spare tire cavity was cut. It looks like this was done with the battery still connected, as the wire ends are burned at the cut point. Surely this is the origin of the problem. The question is, what has been damaged by this? Like I said, I've inspected all of the wires that i can easily access, and I've tried replacing the TIPM. What I'm looking for is a failure point. I included the fact that the fuel level does not register, as this may be related. Bad ground, or short to ground somewhere. I Need wiring diagrams showing wire colors, and describing where they are located on the truck, and circuit descriptions would be helpful. If I know what wires to connect and test, I should be able to track it down. I have purchased many auction vehicles over the years with various problems. This one was clearly someone's nightmare they gave up on. I've solved most of the problems, this is the last remaining issue.
 

HarryS

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Since your truck doesn't have a BCM, all canbus controls are in the TIPM. And it sounds like your TIPM may be bad, or have connectors jacked up. I know this isn't much help, but with the headlight/park light functions swapped, that's where I'd start looking.
 
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Nitmoe

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Since your truck doesn't have a BCM, all canbus controls are in the TIPM. And it sounds like your TIPM may be bad, or have connectors jacked up. I know this isn't much help, but with the headlight/park light functions swapped, that's where I'd start looking.
As I stated in my post, I've replaced the TIPM with 2 different known good units, and that is not the issue. The fault lies elsewhere, diagrams would be helpful.
 

RamDiver

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Marlborough, Ontario Canada
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2021 DS
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Hemi 5.7
I have a 2011 Ram 2500 with the 5.7 Hemi. I got the truck from auction with some issues. It has around 39K miles on it. I have replaced the PCM with a refurbished unit from Dorman. This was done to correct a transmission solenoid error, which is now solved. When I got the truck, #1 coil pack had been removed, injector was unplugged, and the throttle body was nowhere to be found. I found that it had 4 clogged injectors, now it's running fine.

The persistent problem that I have is with the lights. It looks like someone cut the rear harness, possibly while the wires were still live. I've found some diagrams that show wiring colors at the taillights, but the wires at the main wiring loom (near the spare tire location) are different. So far, if I remember correctly, I have right tail light working, and on the trailer plug I have 12+, ground, brake. and parking light.

In the front, the headlights come on with the parking light switch, and the parking lights come on with the headlight switch. I tried the switch in another truck, and it's working fine. I have tried 2 known good TIPM units, which made no change. 3rd/ center brake light doesn't work either. Turn signals work on the rearview mirrors, but I don't think anywhere else.

I also have no fuel level, no code.

I haven't seen any wires that look damaged. The truck was probably wrecked, but any body damage it had was already repaired before I got it.

So, my questions would be: Does anyone have wiring diagrams for the rear? Is there another control module somewhere other than the TIPM? Where else might I look for the cause of this issue?

chrome_image_Nov. 16, 2023 4_51_54 a.m. EST.png to Ram Forum. :cool:


Check out the link below for service manuals. The 2010 and/or 2012 should have sufficient info on the wiring.

Download the pdf, preferably onto a PC, view with your preferred pdf viewer and use control F to word search the document.


.
 
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Nitmoe

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2011
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View attachment 547063 to Ram Forum. :cool:


Check out the link below for service manuals. The 2010 and/or 2012 should have sufficient info on the wiring.

Download the pdf, preferably onto a PC, view with your preferred pdf viewer and use control F to word search the document.


.
Thanks for the link, this is what I was looking for. Hopefully I can get it sorted out.
 

RamDiver

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Thanks for the link, this is what I was looking for. Hopefully I can get it sorted out.

You're most welcome.


The following link is sometimes helpful when chasing connectors in the harness.


Use the 'Filter these results' box to search keywords like brakes, CHMSL, etc

1721663075605.png


.
 

jmc921

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Location
Dallastown, PA
Ram Year
2014
Engine
5.7 L Hemi
View attachment 547063 to Ram Forum. :cool:


Check out the link below for service manuals. The 2010 and/or 2012 should have sufficient info on the wiring.

Download the pdf, preferably onto a PC, view with your preferred pdf viewer and use control F to word search the document.


.
Thanks for the link. I just downloaded the manual for my truck. Big help.
 

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