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James
GenIII
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4/03/2005
09:23:34

Subject: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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My first problem with my 2002 Dakota Quad-cab 4x4 just reared it's head. An electrical gremlin decided to move in, and I could really use some help stamping it out.

When I went out tonight and tried to unloack the truck with the remote. Nothing happened. The truck will start and run, but I have no lights; headlights, marker, interior, cargo, or dash. The high beam flash using the turn signal lever doesn't work. The power door locks do not function.

The "Service 4WD" light is on. Never had that happen before.

The wipers will only work with the on and high speed setting, but not with any of the delay settings. The washer pump works.

The power windows and mirrors work. The HVAC system works fine. The turnsignals, brake and reverse lights work. The radio works. The overhead computer works. The guages work, the odometer, shift indicator and idiot lights work.

I took a quick look at the fuses under the hood and in the cab tonight, but didn't find any blown.

What circuit would fail that would take down those systems, and cause the 4WD light to come on?

Any thoughts or suggestions would really be appreciated on getting this fixed.

Thanks for looking.


02 QC 4x4, 5.9L/auto, 3.92/LSD, Leather, SLT Plus

Mechtech
Dodge Dakota
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4/03/2005
22:07:58

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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It sounds like u lost a body control modual(BCM). I would check power and grounds to it. If they're good test with a test light that the BCM grounds each system as you ask it to turn on. If you know all the fuses are good.....If you don't find any thing I would try IATN.com It's a members sight but it should give you some answers. I think your first 5 questions are free. P.S. getting to the BCM to test it sucks!
1996 or newer should set a code for this if it's not a bad wiring connection.



James
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4/04/2005
09:00:38

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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Where would I find the BCM? Under the hood or in the cab?

I checked all the fuses and connectors I could find and didn't find any problems. I disconnected the battery for 30 seconds and everything is back to normal.

This is not giving me a warm fuzzy feeling.

02 QC 4x4, 5.9L/auto, 3.92/LSD, Leather, SLT Plus

jed i
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2005
12:10:31

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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what you did points to computer problem. here's what you do;

1. buy a chilton or haynes repair manual at the auto store

2. do a search on this site, you're not the first person on this site to have this problem

3. when the lite comes on again go to autozone and have them pull the code



Figols
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2005
14:52:02

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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The BCM controls all of those functions that are malfunctioning. It is most likly fried. It is located under the dash behind the fuse box. You can probably get one from the junk yard (I bought one for a Stratus for $20.00), but since the BCM also stores the mileage that is displayed, if you go with a used one your mileage will change to that of the donor vehicle. If you get a new one(actually a reman from Dodge and is about $400. if I remember correctly)they will program it with your current mileage. My father in law just had the BCM changed in his Voyager and they actually programed it with 2K miles less (by accident) than it had when it went in.



James
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4/04/2005
16:01:59

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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Thanks for the info on the BCM. I'll take a look under the dash and see what's up. I can look into getting a reman BCM or possibly one from a yard if I can locate a similer truck.

02 QC 4x4, 5.9L/auto, 3.92/LSD, Leather, SLT Plus

James
GenIII
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4/04/2005
17:47:29

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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I called the dealer with my VIN just to get a price on the BCM and they told me my truck doesn't have one. I have 2 smaller modules that work with the remote entry and some of the other functions in the cab. Now to figure out which one is causing issues and go from there.

02 QC 4x4, 5.9L/auto, 3.92/LSD, Leather, SLT Plus

another mark
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2005
20:16:25

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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I highly recommend buying your own scanner. Those people at Autozone have hosed me on codes before and not looking them up correctly. Tried to tell me my glow plugs were bad in my 99 3.9, yeah right.

Haynes/Chiltons are better than nothing but not by much. Get the factory service manual and really learn about your truck and solving problems. There's a reason that book is 3 times thicker than a Haynes or Chilton.



James
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4/04/2005
20:57:58

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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Sounds like a good idea. I have the factory service manual for my 69 Buick, so I know they're a good buy, I just haven't done it for the Dak yet.

02 QC 4x4, 5.9L/auto, 3.92/LSD, Leather, SLT Plus

Skylar
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2005
12:27:09

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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I had the EXACT same problem on an '02 Quad Dakota 4x2. I will tell you with 100% certainty that the problem you described is a control module mounted inside the driver side kick panel. I believe the dealer called it an ECM [electronics control module], but don't quote me on that. It regulates the exterior/interior lights, wipers, and a few other things.

My symptoms were: 24 hours preceding, sporadic light/wiper failures. Then the next morning, vehicle would start/drive, but lights and wipers were completely dead. Every fuse was inspected, and every relay tested for unusual readings.

When mine blew I swore up and down it was the recall for the pinched wiring harness, but my dealer pulled the harness for me to prove it. The module just went dead. Total cost with labor was around $380.

- Skylar




TexasTodd
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2005
22:15:35

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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If you want the codes, do the key trick. You know Turn it to on 3 times in a row, and leave it on the 4th, or is it third, anyway, the code will appear on the odometer, or group of codes. Then, so some research on the net, this site, others, etc. There are websites with all the codes, etcc.

It sounds like Skylar here know what he's talking about. I"ll have to keep this in mind, if my 01 ever soes something similiar. That would freak me out if all the things were responding the way yours is!



marlow
Dodge Dakota
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4/06/2005
22:38:37

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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I believe its actually called the "CTM" - "Central Timer Module". My 03 has been struck by lightning and it was one of the parts that had to be replaced. Drivers kick panel, and controls most if not all of what you mentioned.



caulk04
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4/07/2005
08:18:00

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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I'll have to third the CTM...

Mine has not failed, but I have played around with the wiring to make my fogs work how I want, when the plugs are out of it, none of the things you mentioned work.



James
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4/07/2005
10:42:02

RE: Any Dodge Mechanics in the house.
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CTM, that's good info to have. I appreciate it. It's supposed to rain here this afternoon/evening, so we'll see if that has anything to do with it as well. The first time it happened we had almost 4 inches of rain in 24 hours.

I'll also try the code trick and see if anything's stored right now. The check engine light has nevver come on, so I don't there will be any codes, but we'll see.

I'll keep this thread updated on this issue incase anyone else has similer problems.


02 QC 4x4, 5.9L/auto, 3.92/LSD, Leather, SLT Plus

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