1999 DODGE RAM Service Repair Manual

Fig. 10: Starting System Wiring Diagram (Ram Van & Ram Wagon)

Fig. 11: Starting System Wiring Diagram (Sebring Convertible)

STE ER IN G C O LU M N

1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
1998-99 STEERING
CHRY - Steering Columns - Trucks & Vans
Caravan, Dakota, Durango, Ram Pickup, Ram Van/Wagon,
Town & Country, Voyager
WARNING: All models are equipped with Air Bag Restraint System (ABRS).
See AIR BAG PRECAUTIONS before working on vehicle. Use
caution when working around steering column (air bag could
deploy).
CAUTION: When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory
systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist
until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See
COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION
before disconnecting battery.
DESCRIPTION & OPERATION
All models use collapsible steering columns with an integral
ignition switch and locking device. See Fig. 1. Optional tilt wheel is
available.
AIR BAG PRECAUTIONS
Follow precautions when working with air bag systems:
* When performing air bag repairs, disable ABRS. See AIR BAG
DISABLING.
* Use caution when handling a sensor. Never strike or jar a
sensor. All sensors or mounting bracket bolts must be
carefully torqued to ensure proper sensor operation.
* Never apply power to ABRS if a sensor is not rigidly attached
to vehicle.
* To avoid accidental air bag deployment while trouble shooting
ABRS, DO NOT use electrical test equipment, such as AC
-powered or battery-powered voltmeter, ohmmeter, etc.
* Always carry air bag module with trim cover away from body.
Always place inflatable module on workbench with trim cover
up, away from loose objects.
* DO NOT install used air bag parts from another vehicle. Use
NEW parts only. DO NOT disassemble or tamper with air bag
assembly.
* Wait at least 2 minutes after disconnecting battery before
proceeding with repairs or trouble shooting system. For a
short time after battery is disconnected, ABRS retains enough
voltage to deploy air bag.
NOTE: For additional information, see appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT
SYSTEMS article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT section.
AIR BAG DISABLING
Disconnect and isolate negative battery cable. Disconnect 2-
way yellow clockspring harness connector, located on top of fuse block
between clockspring and instrument panel wiring harness. Clockspring
connector may also be disconnected at Air Bag System Diagnostic Module
(ASDM).

WARNING: Wait about 2 minutes after disconnecting negative battery
cable before servicing air bag system. System reserve
capacitor maintains air bag system voltage for about 2
minutes after battery is disconnected. Servicing air bag
system before 2 minutes may cause accidental air bag
deployment and possible personal injury.
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
WARNING: All models are equipped with Air Bag Restraint System (ABRS).
See AIR BAG PRECAUTIONS before working on vehicle. Use
caution when working around steering column (air bag could
deploy).
CAUTION: When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory
systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist
until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See
COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION
before disconnecting battery.
HORN PAD & STEERING WHEEL
Removal & Installation
1) Disable air bag system. See AIR BAG DISABLING. Ensure
steering wheel is in straight-ahead position. Remove nuts mounting air
bag module to steering wheel. Remove screws securing cruise control
switch to steering wheel (if equipped).
2) Disconnect wiring connectors. Remove air bag module and
cruise control switch assembly. Pry trim covers from back of steering
wheel and remove horn switch mounting screws. Disconnect horn wires.
Remove horn switch.
3) Remove steering wheel retaining nut. Reference mark
steering wheel and steering shaft. Using puller, remove steering
wheel. To install, reverse removal procedure. Align marks made during
removal. Tighten steering wheel retaining nut to specification.
STEERING COLUMN
Removal & Installation
1) Position front wheels straight ahead. Disconnect and
isolate negative battery cable. On column shift models, remove link
rod from bushing in shift lever. Discard bushing. On all models,
remove steering wheel using Puller (C-3428-B). See HORN PAD & STEERING\
WHEEL.
2) Remove steering column shaft-to-coupler retaining pin.
Push upper coupler shaft down into lower steering coupler. Remove dash
panel column cover. On column shift models, disconnect shift indicator
cable.
3) On all models, remove tilt lever (if equipped). Remove
upper and lower shroud. Remove lower fixed shroud. Disconnect
multifunction switch harness connector. Disconnect harness connectors
from ignition switch, key-in light, horn and cruise control (if
equipped).
4) Loosen upper support bracket nuts and allow column to drop
slightly. Remove upper fixed shroud. Disconnect wiring harness
retainers from column, and move harness to one side. Remove lower dash
panel. Remove lower steering column nuts. Remove column.
CAUTION: DO NOT reuse bushing in shift rod lever once shift rod is
removed. Always install a NEW bushing.
5) To install column, reverse removal procedure. Connect

clockspring connector. Connect negative battery cable. On column shift
models, install NEW shift lever bushing using pliers and back-up
washer to snap bushing into place. Use a multipurpose grease to aid
installation.
6) Connect gearshift cable rod to shift lever by snapping rod
into bushing with pliers.
Fig. 1: Exploded View Of Steering Column (Typical)
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
OVERHAUL
NOTE: Steering column is not serviceable, except for trim, switches
and steering wheel. If service is required, replace column.
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS








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Application Ft. Lbs. (N.m)\
Steering Wheel Nut
Except Dakota ............................................ 45 (61)\
Dakota ................................................... 35 (47)\
Upper Coupler Bolt
Dakota, Ram Pickup & Ram Van/Wagon ....................... 36 (49)\
Caravan, Town & Country, & Voyager ....................... 20 (27)\
INCH Lbs. (N.m)
Steering Column-To-Instrument Panel Bracket Bolt/Nut
Except Dakota ........................................... 105 (12)\

STE ER IN G C O LU M N S W IT C HES
1999 D odge P ic ku p R 1500
1999 ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT
CHRY - Steering Column Switches
Dakota, Durango & Ram Pickup
WARNING: Deactivate air bag system before performing any service
operation involving steering column components. See
appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article. DO NOT apply
electrical power to any component on steering column without
first disconnecting air bag module. Air bag may deploy. Wait
at least 2 minutes after disconnecting negative battery cable
before servicing air bag system. System reserve capacitor,
integral to ACM, maintains air bag system voltage for about 2
minutes after battery is disconnected. Servicing air bag
system before 2-minute period may cause accidental air bag
deployment and possible personal injury.
DESCRIPTION
Turn signal, hazard flasher, headlight beam selector,
headlight flash-to-pass, windshield wipe, pulse wipe and windshield
wash systems use a common switch assembly (multifunction switch)
mounted within upper steering column housing.
Ignition switch and lock cylinder are incorporated into an
assembly attached to side of steering column. Ignition switch assembly
can be serviced as a separate unit, but requires removal of lock
cylinder.
COMPONENT LOCATIONS
COMPONENT LOCATIONS








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Component Location
Combination Flasher Relay ........................... Junction Block
Horn ............................... In Right Front Corner Of Engine
Compartment
Horn Relay ............................ In Power Distribution Center
Junction Block ................. Under Left Side Of Instrument Panel
Power Distribution Center ...... In Left Side Of Engine Compartment,
On Left Inner Panel
Relay/Flasher Module ........ Under Right Side Of Instrument Panel,
Behind Glove Box









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TROUBLE SHOOTING
TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM
Bulbs Burn Out Rapidly
Check charging system. See appropriate GENERATORS &
REGULATORS article in STARTING & CHARGING SYSTEMS.
Hazard Flashers Inoperative
Blown fuse. Faulty hazard flasher. Open circuit in feed wire
to hazard switch. Faulty turn signal/hazard switch. Open or grounded
circuit in wiring to external lights.

Hazard Warning Lights Okay To Front Lights Only
Faulty external bulbs. Faulty contact in turn signal/hazard
switch. Open circuit between hazard switch and turn signal switch.
Open or grounded circuit in wiring to rear lights.
Hazard Warning Lights Okay To Rear Lights Only
Faulty external bulbs. Faulty contact in turn signal/hazard
switch. Open or grounded circuit in wiring to front lights.
Indicator Light Inoperative, External Lights Okay
Burned-out indicator bulb in instrument cluster. Faulty
contact. Open circuit.
Indicator Light Okay, External Lights Inoperative
Open circuit in wiring to external light(s).
Indicator Light Okay, External Lights Glow Dimly Or Do Not
Flash
Loose or corroded external light connections. Poor ground
circuit at external light(s).
Turn Signals Do Not Cancel After Turn
Broken canceling pawl on turn signal switch. Improperly
aligned canceling cam. Broken or loose canceling cam.
Turn Signals Inoperative (Both Sides)
Blown fuse. Faulty turn signal flasher. Loose bulkhead
connector. Loose or faulty rear wiring harness or terminals. Open
circuit to turn signal flasher. Open circuit in feed wire to turn
signal switch. Faulty switch connections. Open or grounded circuit in
wiring to external lights.
Turn Signal Inoperative (One Side)
Faulty external bulb. Poor ground at external light. Open
circuit in wiring to external light(s). Faulty turn signal/hazard
switch.
COMPONENT TESTS
CAUTION: When battery is disconnected, vehicle computer and memory
systems may lose memory data. Driveability problems may exist
until computer systems have completed a relearn cycle. See
COMPUTER RELEARN PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION
before disconnecting battery.
NOTE: For additional testing procedures, see appropriate CRUISE
CONTROL SYSTEMS and WIPER/WASHER SYSTEMS articles.
NOTE: For component locations, see COMPONENT LOCATIONS.
HORN RELAY
1) Remove horn relay from Power Distribution Center (PDC).
Use label on PDC cover to identify and locate relay. Check continuity
between relay terminals No. 87A and 30. See Fig. 1. If continuity does
not exist, replace relay. If continuity exists, go to next step.
2) Check continuity between relay terminals No. 30 and 87. If
continuity exists, replace relay. If continuity does not exist, check
resistance between relay terminals No. 85 and 86. If resistance is not
70-80 ohms, replace relay. If resistance is 70-80 ohms, go to next
step.
3) Using jumper wires, connect positive battery voltage to

relay terminal No. 86 and ground to relay terminal No. 85. Continuity
should exist between terminals No. 30 and 87. Continuity should not
exist between relay terminals No. 87A and 30. If continuity is not as
specified, replace relay. If continuity is as specified, relay is
okay. Go to HORN RELAY CIRCUIT test under SYSTEM TESTS.
Fig. 1: Identifying Horn Relay Terminals
Courtesy of Chrysler Corp.
IGNITION SWITCH
NOTE: For ignition switch circuit identification, see IGNITION
SWITCH CIRCUIT FUNCTIONS table.
Remove ignition switch. See IGNITION SWITCH under REMOVAL &
INSTALLATION. Check continuity between appropriate ignition switch
terminals with switch in specified position. See IGNITION SWITCH
CONTINUITY table. See Fig. 2.
IGNITION SWITCH CONTINUITY









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Switch Position Continuity Between Terminals
ACC .......................................................... 6 & 7
OFF ............................................................ ( 1)
RUN ............................................ 2 & 7; 4 & 5; 6 & 7
START ............................................. ( 2) 1 & 7; 2 & 7
( 1) - Continuity should not exist between any terminals with key
removed.
( 2) - Continuity should also exist between terminal No. 3 and case