I have a 2004 crew cab short box that when I start the headlights, tail lights, and blinkers all blink for a few minutes. Any idea what the cause is?

13 minutes ago, Lund1990 said:

blinkers all blink for a few minutes.

 

Define "blink" with more detail. 

 

If you are meaning that the lights dim and brighten in a cycling manner after a cold engine start, then this is normal.  What you are witnessing is the post-cycling of the intake manifold heaters until the truck is driven or the engine reaches a specific operating temperature.

 

When the intake manifold heaters are post-cycling with an idling engine, the current draw is greater than the alternator output when the heaters cycle to "on", consequently, the lights will dim.

 

- John

Not that.  I own 3 cummins I know about grid heaters.  They actually turn off and back on. Like 1 second each way. Does it for a few minutes them stops. 

Thanks for the clarification.  I should have figured out that you are familiar with these trucks, just reading your signature. 

 

My brother-in-law owns a 2003 truck and I recall that he had a control module that operated his headlights.  I looked on-line and found this

 

"In a 2002 – 2005 Dodge Ram, the Front Control Module (FCM) is responsible for managing and controlling various electrical components and systems in the vehicle. Its functions typically include: Exterior Lighting Control: The FCM manages the operation of the headlights, turn signals and other exterior lights."

 

I would start my trouble shooting in the this area since your symptoms involve multiple lighting circuits.

 

- John

Thank you. I didn't find much online either. I was just hoping someone had had this happen before. Seems like it would be something a vehicle would do for the security, but i have a black key for truck. 

59 minutes ago, Lund1990 said:

Seems like it would be something a vehicle would do for the security, but i have a black key for truck

 

Didn't think abut that part - you may be on to something.

 

- John

Well, i took a video to upload and show what it does. But it won't allow me to upload it no matter what I try. 

Youtube the video. 

 

As for the flash its the TIPM which uses digital signals for controlling lighting and such. Double-check all electrical connections and make sure there is no loss of voltage. I've seen a truck when you turn on the right turn signal the horn would honk. The left turn signal would flash the headlights etc. All weird. The problem was the wrong voltage signal sent to the TIPM and then that module turned on what it was told depending on the voltage value on the wire. 

I'll load it to YouTube later today. It only does it for a few minutes then stops until the door is opened, the cycle starts over then.

Passing thought... Might ask if @Auto Computer Specialist can diagnose the TIPM. Just a thought.

Here is the short video of what it does. Seems to me it'd be like the stock security system, but i don't believe this truck has a chipped key. 

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/XbxbDSBhWXI?si=NB0pe7QH5kghXzvV

Just my thought is the security system is flashing the lights just like you repeatedly hitting the alarm set button. 

Here is the CanBus map... This shows the TIPM is a controller of sorts controlling more than just the lights... 

So in other words, this is going to be a really mf'er to figure out. 

Never mind. Looks like I'll be buying a rebuild TIPM

Use https://www.vindecoderz.com and see if your truck actually came with keyless entry.

 

It's possible that the key fobs died or got lost and the previous owner just got a regular key for it. 

 

If it originally had keyless entry, you could get a fob and program it to fix this issue. 

Chipped key required you can't start a 3rd Gen truck without chipped key near the ignition lock. Thor is that way and without the chipped key it will start and run a very short time like 2 to 5 seconds then the engine shuts down and a red light on the lower right of cluster. This is chipped key is required to keep it running.

Edited December 23, 2024Dec 23 by Mopar1973Man

That's what I had thought. After reading previous comments and researching I'm almost positive it is gonna be the TIPM needs to be rebuilt. Does Anyone know,  is it solder connections that break that causes the problems a TIPM gives out?

Hmmm. Never really handled and TIPM yet but would consider calling @Auto Computer Specialist and see if they haidle the TIPM as part their services. 

That's what I'm kinda trying to avoid. Got friends with software on laptop and connections to reprogram auto computers. But if it needs fixing prior to that I'm not sure if I'm able to source the parts. Soldering on a pcb isn't difficult for me these days.  I struggle to pay others to fix things I can teach myself to fix. But I may end up having to break down and do this. 

Totally understand. Being ive not been able to even turn a wrench for a year, it rather tough to be limited on income.

I believe I've figured out what fbfs culprit is in this problem. I'm fairly certain now after chatting on another forum and doing some checking/testing, that my instrument cluster is causing the problem. What place is recommended in fixing these clusters?