1998 DODGE RAM 1500 wiring

STANDARD PROCEDURE - TESTING FOR A
SHORT TO GROUND ON FUSES POWERING
SEVERAL LOADS
(1) Refer to the wiring diagrams and disconnect or
isolate all items on the suspected fused circuits.
(2) Replace the blown fuse.
(3) Supply power to the fuse by turning ON the
ignition switch or re-connecting the battery.
(4) Start connecting or energizing the items in the
fuse circuit one at a time. When the fuse blows the
circuit with the short to ground has been isolated.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - TESTING FOR A
VOLTAGE DROP
(1) Connect the positive lead of the voltmeter to
the side of the circuit closest to the battery (Fig. 9).
(2) Connect the other lead of the voltmeter to the
other side of the switch, component or circuit.
(3) Operate the item.
(4) The voltmeter will show the difference in volt-
age between the two points.
SPECIAL TOOLS
WIRING/TERMINAL
Fig. 9 TESTING FOR VOLTAGE DROP
PROBING TOOL PACKAGE 6807
TERMINAL PICK TOOL SET 6680
TERMINAL REMOVING TOOLS 6932 AND 8638
TERMINAL REMOVING TOOL 6934
8W - 01 - 10 8W-01 WIRING DIAGRAM INFORMATIONDR
WIRING DIAGRAM INFORMATION (Continued)

CONNECTOR
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect battery.
(2) Release Connector Lock (Fig. 10).
(3) Disconnect the connector being repaired from
its mating half/component.
(4) Remove the dress cover (if applicable) (Fig. 10).
(5) Release the Secondary Terminal Lock, if
required (Fig. 11).
(6) Position the connector locking finger away from
the terminal using the proper special tool. Pull on
the wire to remove the terminal from the connector
(Fig. 12).
INSTALLATION
(1) Insert the removed terminal in the same cavity
on the repair connector.
(2) Repeat steps for each terminal in the connec-
tor, being sure that all wires are inserted into the
proper cavities. For additional connector pin-out
identification, refer to the wiring diagrams.
(3) When the connector is re-assembled, the sec-
ondary terminal lock must be placed in the locked
position to prevent terminal push out.
(4) Replace dress cover (if applicable).
(5) Connect connector to its mating half/compo-
nent.
(6) Connect battery and test all affected systems.
Fig. 10 REMOVAL OF DRESS COVER
1 - DRESS COVER
2 - CONNECTOR LOCK
3 - CONNECTOR
DR8W-01 WIRING DIAGRAM INFORMATION 8W - 01 - 11

Fig. 11 EXAMPLES OF CONNECTOR SECONDARY TERMINAL LOCKS
1 - Secondary Terminal Lock
8W - 01 - 12 8W-01 WIRING DIAGRAM INFORMATIONDR
CONNECTOR (Continued)

Fig. 12 TERMINAL REMOVAL
1 - TYPICAL CONNECTOR
2 - PICK FROM SPECIAL TOOL KIT 6680
3 - APEX CONNECTOR
4 - PICK FROM SPECIAL TOOL KIT 6680
5 - AUGAT CONNECTOR
6 - SPECIAL TOOL 69327 - MOLEX CONNECTOR
8 - SPECIAL TOOL 6742
9 - THOMAS AND BETTS CONNECTOR
10 - SPECIAL TOOL 6934
11 - TYCO CONNECTOR
12 - SPECIAL TOOL 8638
DR8W-01 WIRING DIAGRAM INFORMATION 8W - 01 - 13
CONNECTOR (Continued)

DIODE
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect the battery.
(2) Locate the diode in the harness, and remove
the protective covering.
(3) Remove the diode from the harness, pay atten-
tion to the current flow direction (Fig. 13).
INSTALLATION
(1) Remove the insulation from the wires in the
harness. Only remove enough insulation to solder in
the new diode.
(2) Install the new diode in the harness, making
sure current flow is correct. If necessary, refer to the
appropriate wiring diagram for current flow (Fig. 13).
(3) Solder the connection together using rosin core
type solder only.Do not use acid core solder.
(4) Tape the diode to the harness using electrical
tape. Make sure the diode is completely sealed from
the elements.
(5) Re-connect the battery and test affected sys-
tems.
TERMINAL
REMOVAL
(1) Follow steps for removing terminals described
in the connector removal section.
(2) Cut the wire 6 inches from the back of the con-
nector.
INSTALLATION
(1) Select a wire from the terminal repair kit that
best matches the color and gage of the wire being
repaired.
(2) Cut the repair wire to the proper length and
remove one±half (1/2) inch of insulation.
(3) Splice the repair wire to the wire harness (see
wire splicing procedure).
(4) Insert the repaired wire into the connector.
(5) Install the connector locking wedge, if required,
and reconnect the connector to its mating half/compo-
nent.
(6) Re-tape the wire harness starting at 1±1/2
inches behind the connector and 2 inches past the
repair.
(7) Connect battery and test all affected systems.
Fig. 13 DIODE IDENTIFICATION
1 - CURRENT FLOW
2 - BAND AROUND DIODE INDICATES CURRENT FLOW
3 - DIODE AS SHOWN IN THE DIAGRAMS
8W - 01 - 14 8W-01 WIRING DIAGRAM INFORMATIONDR

WIRE
STANDARD PROCEDURE - WIRE SPLICING
When splicing a wire, it is important that the cor-
rect gage be used as shown in the wiring diagrams.
(1) Remove one-half (1/2) inch of insulation from
each wire that needs to be spliced.
(2) Place a piece of adhesive lined heat shrink tub-
ing on one side of the wire. Make sure the tubing will
be long enough to cover and seal the entire repair
area.
(3) Place the strands of wire overlapping each
other inside of the splice clip (Fig. 14).
(4) Using crimping tool, Mopar p/n 05019912AA,
crimp the splice clip and wires together (Fig. 15).(5) Solder the connection together using rosin core
type solder only (Fig. 16).
CAUTION: DO NOT USE ACID CORE SOLDER.
(6) Center the heat shrink tubing over the joint
and heat using a heat gun. Heat the joint until the
tubing is tightly sealed and sealant comes out of both
ends of the tubing (Fig. 17).
Fig. 14 SPLICE BAND
1 - SPLICE BAND
Fig. 15 CRIMPING TOOL
1 - CRIMPING TOOL
Fig. 16 SOLDER SPLICE
1 - SOLDER
2 - SPLICE BAND
3 - SOLDERING IRON
Fig. 17 HEAT SHRINK TUBE
1 - SEALANT
2 - HEAT SHRINK TUBE
DR8W-01 WIRING DIAGRAM INFORMATION 8W - 01 - 15

8W-91 CONNECTOR/GROUND/SPLICE LOCATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
CONNECTOR/GROUND/SPLICE LOCATION
DESCRIPTION..........................1
CONNECTOR/GROUND/SPLICE
LOCATION
DESCRIPTION
This section provides illustrations identifying con-
nector, ground, and splice locations in the vehicle.
Connector, ground, and splice indexes are provided.Use the wiring diagrams in each section for connec-
tor, ground, and splice identification. Refer to the
index for the proper figure number. For items that
are not shown in this section N/S is placed in the
Fig. column.
CONNECTORS
CONNECTOR NAME/NUMBER COLOR LOCATION FIG.
4WD Switch (Manual Transfer
Case)BK Near T/O for Backup Lamp Switch 16, 17, 19
A/C Compressor Clutch BK At A/C Compressor 3, 6, 7, 10
A/C Pressure Transducer BK Left Side of A/C Compressor 6, 7, 10
A/C-Heater Control C1 BK Center of Instrument Panel 34, 35, 36
A/C-Heater Control C2 BK Center of Instrument Panel 34, 35
Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor Under Battery Tray 22, 27
Adjustable Pedal Motor WT Left of Instrument Panel 31
Adjustable Pedal Switch BL Left of Instrument Panel 35, 38
Airbag Control Module C1 YL Lower Center of Instrument Panel 35, 36
Airbag Control Module C2 YL Lower Center of Instrument Panel 44, 46
Airbag Control Module-Left Side
ImpactYL Left B-Pillar 44, 46
Airbag Control Module-Right Side
ImpactYL Right B-Pillar 45, 47
Airbag-Driver Squib 1 YL On Steering Wheel N/S
Airbag-Left Curtain YL Top Left B-Pillar 44, 46
Airbag-Passenger YL Right Front of Instrument Panel 35, 39
Airbag-Right Curtain YL Top Right B-Pillar 45, 47
Ambient Temperature Sensor BK Left Rear of Hood 23, 29
Amplifier Audio C1 GY Top Center of Instrument Panel 35, 39
Amplifier Audio C2 GY Top Center of Instrument Panel 35, 39
Ashtray Lamp Center Stack 35
Automatic Day/Night Mirror (Except
Base)BK Top Center of Windshield N/S
Backup Lamp Switch BK Left Rear of Transmission 12, 13, 17, 19
DR8W-91 CONNECTOR/GROUND/SPLICE LOCATION 8W - 91 - 1

8W-97 POWER DISTRIBUTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
POWER DISTRIBUTION
DESCRIPTION..........................1
OPERATION............................1
SPECIAL TOOLS
POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS.........2
CIGAR LIGHTER OUTLET
DESCRIPTION..........................2
OPERATION............................2
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - CIGAR LIGHTER
OUTLET.............................2
INTEGRATED POWER MODULE
DESCRIPTION..........................3
OPERATION............................3
REMOVAL.............................3
INSTALLATION..........................4
FRONT CONTROL MODULE
DESCRIPTION..........................5OPERATION............................5
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - FRONT
CONTROL MODULE....................5
REMOVAL.............................6
INSTALLATION..........................6
IOD FUSE
DESCRIPTION..........................6
OPERATION............................6
REMOVAL.............................7
INSTALLATION..........................7
POWER OUTLET
DESCRIPTION..........................7
OPERATION............................7
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - POWER
OUTLET.............................7
REMOVAL.............................8
INSTALLATION..........................8
POWER DISTRIBUTION
DESCRIPTION
This group covers the various standard and
optional power distribution components used on this
model. The power distribution system for this vehicle
consists of the following components:
²Integrated Power Module (IPM)
²Front Control Module (FCM)
²Power Distribution Center (PDC)
²Power Outlets
²Cigar Lighter Outlets
²Relays
Refer to Wiring Diagrams for complete circuit sche-
matics.
The power distribution system also incorporates
various types of circuit control and protection fea-
tures, including:
²Automatic resetting circuit breakers
²Blade-type fuses
²Cartridge fuses
²Relays
Following are general descriptions of the major
components in the power distribution system. See the
owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more
information on the features and use of all of the
power distribution system components.
OPERATION
The power distribution system for this vehicle is
designed to provide safe, reliable, and centralized dis-
tribution points for the electrical current required to
operate all of the many standard and optional facto-
ry-installed electrical and electronic powertrain,
chassis, safety, security, comfort and convenience sys-
tems. At the same time, the power distribution sys-
tem was designed to provide ready access to these
electrical distribution points for the vehicle techni-
cian to use when conducting diagnosis and repair of
faulty circuits. The power distribution system can
also prove useful for the sourcing of additional elec-
trical circuits that may be required to provide the
electrical current needed to operate many accessories
that the vehicle owner may choose to have installed
in the aftermarket.
DR8W-97 POWER DISTRIBUTION 8W - 97 - 1