1998 DODGE RAM 1500 Battery

(2) Remove the left instrument panel bezel. (Refer
to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER
BEZEL - REMOVAL).
(3) Disconnect the harness connector.
(4) Remove the screws that secure the headlamp
switch to the instrument panel bezel (Fig. 10).
(5) Remove the headlamp switch from the instru-
ment panel bezel.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE
ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING
COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT
DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISO-
LATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE,
THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PER-
FORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS
IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG
SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRE-
CAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Position the headlamp switch to the left instru-
ment panel bezal and secure with screws.Tighten the
screws to 2.2 N´m (20 in. lbs.).(2) Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness
connector for the headlamp switch.
(3) Position the left instrument panel bezal on to
the instrument panel.
(4) Install the cluster bezel onto the instrument
panel (Fig. 10).
(5) Connect the battery negative cable.
HEADLAMP UNIT
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the push pins attaching the seal to the
fender.
(3) Remove the bolts attaching the headlamp unit
to the fender (Fig. 11).
(4) Remove the bulb sockets from the headlamp
unit
(5) Separate headlamp unit from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
CAUTION: Do not touch the bulb glass with fingers
or other oily surfaces. Reduced bulb life will result.
(1) Install the bulb sockets for the front park/turn
signal and headlamp.
(2) Position headlamp unit in inner fender panel.
Fig. 10 Headlamp Switch Removal
1 - DASH BOARD
2 - HEADLAMP SWITCH
3 - INSTRUMENT PANEL BEZAL
Fig. 11 Headlamp - Typical
1 - SEAL
2 - PUSH PIN
3 - SCREW
4 - HEADLAMP UNIT
DRLAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR 8L - 15
HEADLAMP SWITCH (Continued)

(3) Install the bolts attaching headlamp unit to the
fender (Fig. 11).
(4) Align the seal and install the push pins.
(5) Connect the battery negative cable.
ADJUSTMENTS
Headlamps can be aligned using the screen method
provided in this section.
LAMP ALIGNMENT SCREEN PREPARATION
(1) Position vehicle on a level surface perpendicu-
lar to a flat wall 7.62 meters (25 ft) away from front
of headlamp lens (Fig. 12).
(2) If necessary, tape a line on the floor 7.62
meters (25 ft) away from and parallel to the wall.
(3) Up 1.27 meters (5 feet) from the floor, tape a
line on the wall at the centerline of the vehicle. Sight
along the centerline of the vehicle (from rear of vehi-
cle forward) to verify accuracy of the line placement.
(4) Rock vehicle side-to-side three times to allow
suspension to stabilize.
(5) Jounce front suspension three times by pushing
downward on front bumper and releasing.
(6) Measure the distance from the center of head-
lamp lens to the floor. Transfer measurement to thealignment screen (with tape). Use this line for
up/down adjustment reference.
(7) Measure distance from the centerline of the
vehicle to the center of each headlamp being aligned.
Transfer measurements to screen (with tape) to each
side of vehicle centerline. Use these lines for left/
right adjustment reference.
VEHICLE PREPARATION FOR HEADLAMP
ALIGNMENT
(1) Verify headlamp dimmer switch and high beam
indicator operation.
(2) Correct defective components that could hinder
proper headlamp alignment.
(3) Verify proper tire inflation.
(4) Clean headlamp lenses.
(5) Verify that luggage area is not heavily loaded.
(6) Fuel tank should be FULL. Add 2.94 kg (6.5
lbs.) of weight over the fuel tank for each estimated
gallon of missing fuel.
HEADLAMP ALIGNMENT
A properly aimed low beam headlamp will project
top edge of high intensity pattern on screen from 50
mm (2 in.) above to 50 mm (2 in.) below headlamp
Fig. 12 Headlamp Alignment Screen - Typical
1 - CENTER OF VEHICLE
2 - CENTER OF HEADLAMP3 - 7.62 METERS (25 FT.)
4 - FRONT OF HEADLAMP
8L - 16 LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIORDR
HEADLAMP UNIT (Continued)

centerline. The side-to-side outboard edge of high
intensity pattern should be from 150 mm (6 in.) left
to 150 mm (6 in.) right of headlamp centerline (Fig.
12).The preferred headlamp alignment is 1(
down for the up/down adjustment and 0 for the
left/right adjustment.The high beam pattern
should be correct when the low beams are aligned
properly.
To adjust low beam headlamp, rotate vertical align-
ment screw to achieve the specified aim.
LICENSE PLATE LAMP
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Grasp license plate bulb socket and 1/4 turn
left to release from the license plate lamp unit.
(3) Pull bulb from license plate lamp socket.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the bulb in the socket.
(2) Install the socket in to the license plate lamp
unit and 1/4 turn to lock.
(3) Connect the battery negative cable.
LICENSE PLATE LAMP UNIT
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Disconnect the harness connector.
(3) Remove the retaining clip. (Fig. 13).
(4) Separate license plate lamp from vehicle.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position license plate lamp on the bumper.
(2) Install the clip.
(3) Reconnect the harness connector.
(4) Connect the battery negative cable.
MARKER LAMP UNIT
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - FENDER MARKER LAMP
(1) Grasp the lens assembly firmly and push it
rearward to remove the lens assembly from the
fender (Fig. 14).
(2) Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise a quar-
ter turn and remove the bulb socket from the lens
assembly.
Fig. 13 License Plate Lamp Panel
1 - REAR BUMPER
2 - WIRING CONNECTOR
3 - CLIP
4 - LICENSE PLATE LAMP UNIT
Fig. 14 Fender Extension And Marker Lamp
Assembly
1 - WIRING HARNESS AND BULB SOCKET
2 - MARKER LAMP LENS ASSEMBLY
DRLAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR 8L - 17
HEADLAMP UNIT (Continued)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING FUNCTIONS
Optical Horn (Flash-to-Pass) On 1 - 2 1257 - 1397
Off 3 - 2 2643 - 2937
Turn Signal Left 3 - 2 345 - 384
Turn Signal Right 3 - 2 786 - 873
FRONT WIPER FUNCTIONS
SWITCH POSITION CONNECTOR PINS RESISTANCE (OHMS)  10%
Front Wiper Off 2 - 4 6910 - 7678
Delay 1 2 - 4 2128 - 2365
Delay 2 2 - 4 1089 - 1210
Delay 3 2 - 4 627 - 697
Delay 4 2 - 4 388 - 431
Delay 5 2 - 4 234 - 261
Front Wiper Low 2 - 4 125 - 140
Front Wiper High 2 - 4 50 - 56
Wash 1 - 2 2584 - 2871
REMOVAL
WARNING: BEFORE SERVICING THE STEERING
COLUMN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE DIS-
ARMED. REFER TO THE ELECTRICAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM FOR SERVICE PROCEDURES. FAILURE
TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOY-
MENT OF THE AIRBAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY
(1) Disconnect and isolate battery negative cable.
(2) Remove the steering wheel and the upper and
lower steering column shrouds. Refer to Steering,
Column, Shroud, Removal.
(3) Disconnect the wire connector from the back of
the multi-function switch.
(4) Remove the screws retaining the multi-function
switch to the steering column adapter collar (Fig. 16).
(5) Remove the multi-function switch.
(6) Remove the screws retaining the clock spring
to the multifunction switch.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: BEFORE SERVICING THE STEERING
COLUMN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM MUST BE DIS-
ARMED. REFER TO THE ELECTRICAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM FOR SERVICE PROCEDURES. FAILURE
TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOY-
MENT OF THE AIRBAG AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL
INJURY.
(1) Install the clock spring on the multifunction
switch.(2) Position the switch on to the steering column.
(3) Install the retaining screws.
(4) Connect the wire harness connector.
(5) Install the upper, lower steering column
shrouds and the steering wheel. Refer to Steering,
Column, Shroud, Installation.
(6) Connect the battery negative cable.
Fig. 16 Multifunction Switch
1 - SCREW
2 - COLUMN
3 - CLOCK SPRING
4 - MULTI - FUNCTION SWITCH
DRLAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR 8L - 19
MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH (Continued)

PARK LAMP RELAY
DESCRIPTION
The park lamp relay is located in the Power Dis-
tribution Center (PDC) of the vehicle. The park lamp
relay is a conventional International Standards
Organization (ISO) micro relay (Fig. 17). Relays con-
forming to the ISO specifications have common phys-
ical dimensions, current capacities, terminal
patterns, and terminal functions.
The park lamp relay cannot be adjusted or
repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the unit must be
replaced.
OPERATION
The park lamp relay is an electromechanical
switch that uses a low current input from the Front
Control Module (FCM) to control a high current out-
put to the park lamps. The movable common feed
contact point is held against the fixed normally
closed contact point by spring pressure. When the
relay coil is energized, an electromagnetic field is
produced by the coil windings. This electromagnetic
field draws the movable relay contact point away
from the fixed normally closed contact point, and
holds it against the fixed normally open contact
point. When the relay coil is de-energized, spring
pressure returns the movable contact point back
against the fixed normally closed contact point. A
resistor is connected in parallel with the relay coil in
the relay, and helps to dissipate voltage spikes and
electromagnetic interference that can be generated as
the electromagnetic field of the relay coil collapses.The park lamp relay terminals are connected to
the vehicle electrical system through a connector in
the Junction Block (JB). The inputs and outputs of
the headlamp low beam relay include:
²Common Feed Terminal- The common feed
terminal (30) is connected to the park lamps through
the park lamp relay output circuit and provides
ground to the park lamps when the relay is de-ener-
gized, and battery current to the park lamps when-
ever the relay is energized.
²Coil Ground Terminal- The coil ground termi-
nal (85) is connected to a control output of the Front
Control Module (FCM) through a park lamp relay
control circuit. The FCM controls park lamp opera-
tion by controlling a ground path through this cir-
cuit.
²Coil Battery Terminal- The coil battery ter-
minal (86) receives battery current at all times from
a fuse in the PDC through a fused B(+) circuit.
²Normally Open Terminal- The normally open
terminal (87) receives battery current at all times
from a fuse in the Power Distribution Center (PDC)
through a fused B(+) circuit.
²Normally Closed Terminal- The normally
closed terminal (87A) is connected to ground at all
times.
The park lamp relay can be diagnosed using con-
ventional diagnostic tools and methods.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - PARK LAMP
RELAY
The park lamp relay (Fig. 18) is located in the
Power Distribution Center (PDC). Refer to the appro-
priate wiring information.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG,
OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS
OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE
BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN
WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Remove the park lamp relay from the PDC.
(2) A relay in the de-energized position should
have continuity between terminals 87A and 30, and
Fig. 17 ISO Micro Relay
30 - COMMON FEED
85 - COIL GROUND
86 - COIL BATTERY
87 - NORMALLY OPEN
87A - NORMALLY CLOSED
8L - 20 LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIORDR

no continuity between terminals 87 and 30. If OK, go
to Step 3. If not OK, replace the faulty relay.
(3) Resistance between terminals 85 and 86 (elec-
tromagnet) should be 75   8 ohms. If OK, go to Step
4. If not OK, replace the faulty relay.
(4) Connect a battery to terminals 85 and 86.
There should now be continuity between terminals
30 and 87, and no continuity between terminals 87A
and 30. If OK, reinstall the relay and use a DRBIIIt
scan tool to perform further testing. Refer to the
appropriate diagnostic information.
REMOVAL
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG,
OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS
OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE
BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN
WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.(2) Remove the Power Distribution Center (PDC)
cover.
(3) Remove the park lamp relay by grasping it
firmly and pulling it straight out from the receptacle
in the PDC.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT
SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING
WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG,
PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER,
FRONT IMPACT SENSORS, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG,
OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS
OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE
BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN
WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACI-
TOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FUR-
THER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY
SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL
RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE
PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCI-
DENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Position the park lamp relay to the proper
receptacle in the Power Distribution Center (PDC).
(2) Align the park lamp relay terminals with the
terminal cavities in the PDC.
(3) Press firmly and evenly on the top of the park
lamp relay until the terminals are fully seated in the
PDC.
(4) Install the PDC cover.
(5) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
PARK/TURN SIGNAL LAMP
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable.
(2) Remove the headlamp unit.(Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/HEAD-
LAMP UNIT - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the bulb socket from the headlamp
unit.
(4) Release the front park/turn signal bulb locking
tabs and remove the bulb from the socket (Fig. 19).
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the front park/turn signal bulb into the
bulb socket.
(2) Install the bulb socket into the headlamp unit.
(3) Install the headlamp unit (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/HEAD-
LAMP UNIT - INSTALLATION).
Fig. 18 ISO Micro Relay
30 - COMMON FEED
85 - COIL GROUND
86 - COIL BATTERY
87 - NORMALLY OPEN
87A - NORMALLY CLOSED
DRLAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR 8L - 21
PARK LAMP RELAY (Continued)

(4) Reconnect the negative battery cable.
TAIL LAMP
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - WITH CARGO BOX
(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable.
(2) Remove the tail lamp unit (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/TAIL
LAMP UNIT - REMOVAL).
(3) Remove the lamp back plate from the tail lamp
unit.
(4) Release the tail lamp bulb locking tabs and
remove the bulb from the back plate.
REMOVAL - WITHOUT CARGO BOX
(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable.
(2) Remove the four screws that secure the tail
lamp lens to the tail lamp housing (Fig. 20).
(3) Separate the tail lamp lens from the tail lamp
housing.
(4) Push the tail lamp bulb inward and rotate it
counter-clockwise.
(5) Remove the tail lamp bulb from the tail lamp
socket.
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - WITH CARGO BOX
(1) Install the tail lamp bulb into the lamp back
plate.
(2) Install the lamp back plate onto the tail lamp
unit.(3) Install the tail lamp unit (Refer to 8 - ELEC-
TRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/TAIL
LAMP UNIT - INSTALLATION).
(4) Reconnect the negative battery cable.
INSTALLATION - WITHOUT CARGO BOX
(1) Install the tail lamp bulb into the tail lamp
socket by pushing inward and rotating it clockwise.
NOTE: Install the tail lamp lens with the clear por-
tion (back-up lens) at the top of the housing. Make
sure that the gasket is correctly in place and not
twisted or torn.
(2) Position the tail lamp lens and gasket onto the
tail lamp unit.
NOTE: Do not overtighten the tail lamp lens screws
or damage to the tail lamp lens may result.
(3) Install the four screws that secure the tail
lamp lens to the tail lamp unit. Tighten the screws
securely.
(4) Reconnect the negative battery cable.
TAIL LAMP UNIT
REMOVAL
REMOVAL - WITH CARGO BOX
(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable.
(2) Lower the tailgate.
(3) Remove the two screws that secure the tail
lamp unit to the cargo box.
(4) Remove the tail lamp unit from the cargo box.
(5) Disconnect the body wire harness connector
from the lamp back plate connector (Fig. 21).
Fig. 19 Park Turn Signal Bulb
1 - BULB SOCKET
2 - BULB
Fig. 20 Tail Lamp Lens
8L - 22 LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIORDR
PARK/TURN SIGNAL LAMP (Continued)

REMOVAL - WITHOUT CARGO BOX
(1) Disconnect and isolate the negative battery
cable.
(2) Disconnect the body wire harness connector
from the tail lamp wire harness connector (Fig. 22).
(3) Remove the tail lamp unit connector from the
frame rail.
(4) Remove the two nuts that secure the tail lamp
housing to the mounting bracket.
(5) Remove the tail lamp unit from the mounting
bracket while routing the wire harness through the
bracket.
INSTALLATION
INSTALLATION - WITH CARGO BOX
(1) Connect the body wire harness connector to the
lamp back plate connector.
(2) Position the tail lamp unit into the cargo box.(3) Install the two screws that secure the tail lamp
unit to the cargo box.
(4) Raise the tailgate.
(5) Reconnect the negative battery cable.
INSTALLATION - WITHOUT CARGO BOX
(1) Position the tail lamp unit onto the mounting
bracket while routing the wire harness through the
bracket.
(2) Install the two nuts that secure the tail lamp
housing to the mounting bracket.
(3) Connect the tail lamp wire harness connector
to the body wire harness connector.
(4) Install the tail lamp connector retainer to the
frame rail.
(5) Reconnect the negative battery cable.
Fig. 21 Tail Lamp Unit
1 - SCREW (2)
2 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
3 - TAIL LAMP UNIT
Fig. 22 Tail Lamp Unit - RH Side Shown, LH Side
Typical
1 - TAIL LAMP UNIT
2 - MOUNTING BRACKET
3 - TRAILER HITCH BRACKET
4 - WIRE HARNESS
5 - NUT (2)
DRLAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR 8L - 23
TAIL LAMP UNIT (Continued)