2001 DODGE RAM heating

MIRROR SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The heated mirror switch, the heated mirror sys-
tem indicator lamp, the heated mirror system solid
state electronic control logic and timer circuitry and
the heated mirror relay are all integral to the a/c
heater control, which is located between the instru-
ment cluster and the radio near the center of the
instrument cluster bezel on the instrument panel.
The heated mirror switch and the heated mirror sys-
tem indicator lamp are visible in the lower left corner
of the a/c heater control face plate (Fig. 2).
The heated mirror switch, the heated mirror sys-
tem indicator lamp, the heated mirror system solid
state electronic control logic and timer circuitry and
the heated mirror relay cannot be repaired. If any of
these components is damaged or faulty, the entire a/c
heater control must be replaced. (Refer to 24 - HEAT-
ING & AIR CONDITIONING/CONTROLS/A/C
HEATER CONTROL - REMOVAL)
OPERATION
The momentary-type heated mirror switch provides
a hard-wired battery current signal to the heated
mirror system electronic control logic circuitry each
time it is depressed. In response to the heated mirror
switch input, the electronic control logic and timer
circuitry energizes or de-energizes the amber heated
mirror system indicator lamp next to the heated mir-
ror switch to indicate that the heated mirror systemis turned On or Off. The electronic control logic and
timer circuitry also energizes or de-energizes the
heated mirror relay, which controls the feed of elec-
trical current to the outside mirror heating grids.
The heated mirror system electronic control logic
and timer circuitry is programmed to turn the heated
mirror system Off automatically after about fifteen
minutes of operation. If the heated mirror system is
turned On a second time following an initial time-out
event during the same ignition switch cycle, the
heated mirror system electronic control logic and
timer circuit is programmed to turn the system Off
automatically after about five minutes. When the
electronic control logic and timer circuit detects that
a programmed time interval has elapsed, it will auto-
matically de-energize the heated mirror system indi-
cator lamp and the heated mirror relay. The heated
mirror system will also be turned Off if the heated
mirror switch is depressed while the system is
turned On, or if the ignition switch is turned to the
Off or Accessory positions.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HEATED MIRROR
SWITCH
The heated mirror switch, the solid state electronic
heated mirror system control logic and timer cir-
cuitry, the heated mirror system indicator lamp and
the heated mirror relay are all integral to the a/c
heater control. For circuit descriptions and diagrams
(Refer to Appropriate Wiring Information).
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) Check the fused ignition switch output (run/
start) fuse in the Junction Block (JB). If OK, go to
Step 2. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or com-
ponent as required and replace the faulty fuse.
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch
output (run/start) fuse in the JB. If OK, go to Step 3.
If not OK, repair the open circuit to the ignition
switch as required.
Fig. 2 HEATED MIRROR SWITCH
1 - A/C HEATER CONTROL
2 - HEATED MIRROR SWITCH
3 - HEATED MIRROR SYSTEM INDICATOR LAMP
BR/BEHEATED MIRRORS 8G - 3

(3) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Disconnect the 3-way instrument panel wire
harness connector for the heated mirror switch from
the heated mirror switch connector receptacle on the
back of the a/c heater control. Check for continuity
between the ground circuit cavity of the wire harness
connector and a good ground. There should be conti-
nuity. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the open
ground circuit to ground as required.
(4) Reconnect the battery negative cable. Turn the
ignition switch to the On position. Check for battery
voltage at the fused ignition switch output (run/start)
circuit cavity of the 3-way instrument panel wire
harness connector for the heated mirror switch. If
OK, go to Step 5. If not OK, repair the open fused
ignition switch output (run/start) circuit to the fuse
in the JB as required.
(5) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Reconnect the 3-way instrument panel wire harness
connector for the heated mirror switch to the heated
mirror switch connector receptacle on the back of the
a/c heater control. Reconnect the battery negative
cable. Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Depress and release the heated mirror switch. The
amber heated mirror system indicator lamp next to
the heated mirror switch button should light. If OK,
go to Step 6. If not OK, replace the faulty a/c heater
control.
(6) Back probe the fused heated mirror relay out-
put circuit cavity of the 3-way instrument panel wire
harness connector for the heated mirror switch on
the back of the a/c heater control and check for volt-
age (battery voltage less the resistance in both out-
side mirror heating grids). If OK, (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/HEATED MIRRORS/HEATED MIR-
ROR GRID - DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING).
HEATED MIRROR GRID
DESCRIPTION
Vehicles equipped with the optional heated mirror
system have an electrically operated heating grid
located behind the mirror glass of each power oper-
ated outside rear view mirror. The outside mirror
heating grid consists of two thin laminations of plas-
tic that approximate the outer dimensions and shape
of the mirror glass. A single length of resistor wire
weaves in a back and forth pattern between, and is
held in place by the two thin laminations of plastic.
The two ends of the resistor wire terminate near the
inboard edge of the grid, where they are soldered to
the ground feed and battery current feed wires con-
tained in the power mirror wire harness. The heating
grid is then sandwiched between the back of themolded plastic mirror glass case and the mirror
glass, where it remains in direct contact with the
back of the mirror glass at all times.
The outside mirror heating grids cannot be
repaired and, if faulty or damaged, the entire outside
power mirror unit must be replaced. Refer to Power
Mirrors for the service procedures.
OPERATION
One end of the outside mirror heating grid resistor
wire is connected to a ground feed at all times
through a body ground screw located inside the left
rear corner of the truck cab. Battery current is
directed to the other end of the outside mirror heat-
ing grid resistor wire by the energized heated mirror
relay when the heated mirror switch is in the On
position. As electrical current passes through the
heating grid, the resistance of the wire in the heating
grid converts some of that electrical current into
heat. The heat produced by the heating grid is then
conducted through the back of the mirror glass to
help keep the glass clear of ice, snow or fog.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - HEATED MIRROR
GRID
For circuit descriptions and diagrams (Refer to
Appropriate Wiring Information).
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Disconnect the door wire harness connector
from the power mirror wire harness connector at the
power mirror with the inoperative heating grid.
Check for continuity between the ground circuit cav-
ity in the door wire harness connector for the power
mirror and a good ground. If OK, go to Step 2. If not
OK, repair the open ground circuit to ground as
required.
(2) Reconnect the battery negative cable. Turn the
ignition switch to the On position. Turn on the
heated mirror system. Check for voltage (battery
voltage less the resistance in the outside mirror heat-
ing grid that is still connected) at the fused heated
mirror relay output circuit cavity in the door wire
harness connector for the power mirror. If OK, go to
Step 3. If not OK, repair the open fused heated mir-
ror relay output circuit to the heater and air condi-
tioner control unit as required.
(3) Check the outside mirror heating grid by test-
ing for continuity between the ground circuit and the
fused heated mirror relay output circuit cavities in
the power mirror wire harness connector. There
should be continuity. If not OK, replace the faulty
power mirror. If OK, check the resistance through
the outside mirror heating grid. The correct resis-
tance should be from 10 to 16 ohms when measured
at an ambient temperature of 21É C (70É F). If not
OK, replace the faulty power mirror.
8G - 4 HEATED MIRRORSBR/BE
MIRROR SWITCH (Continued)

HEATED SEAT SYSTEM
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
HEATED SEAT SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION............................5
OPERATION.............................6
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING..................6
HEATED SEAT SYSTEM..................6
DRIVER SEAT HEATER SWITCH
DESCRIPTION............................7
OPERATION.............................7
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING..................8
HEATED SEAT SWITCH...................8
REMOVAL...............................9
INSTALLATION............................9
HEATED SEAT ELEMENT
DESCRIPTION...........................10
OPERATION.............................10
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................11HEATED SEAT ELEMENT & SENSOR.......11
HEATED SEAT RELAY
DESCRIPTION...........................11
OPERATION.............................12
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................12
HEATED SEAT RELAY...................12
REMOVAL..............................13
INSTALLATION...........................13
PASSENGER SEAT HEATER SWITCH
DESCRIPTION...........................13
OPERATION.............................14
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................14
HEATED SEAT SWITCH..................14
REMOVAL..............................15
INSTALLATION...........................16
HEATED SEAT SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
Individually controlled electrically heated front
seats are available factory-installed optional equip-
ment on the Ram quad cab models that are also
equipped with the optional SLT Plus (leather) trimpackage. Vehicles with this option can be visually
identified by the two separate heated seat switches
mounted in a bezel located in the lower right corner
of the instrument cluster bezel, next to the radio
receiver (Fig. 1). The heated seat system allows the
front seat driver and passenger to select from two
different levels of supplemental electrical seat heat-
ing, or no seat heating to suit their individual com-
fort requirements. The heated seat system for this
vehicle includes the following major components:
²The heated seat switches, including two heated
seat Light-Emitting Diode (LED) indicator lamps and
an incandescent back lighting bulb for each switch.
²The heated seat module, also referred to as the
Seat Heat Interface Module (SHIM), which contains
the solid state electronic control and diagnostic logic
circuitry for the heated seat system. Refer to the
Electronic Control Modules section of the service
manual for heated seat module information.
²The heated seat elements and sensors, which
are integral to the individual front seat cushion and
front seat back trim covers.
²The heated seat relay, which controls the avail-
ability of battery current to the heated seat module
or SHIM.
Following are general descriptions of the major
components in the heated seat system. See the own-
er's manual in the vehicle glove box for more infor-
mation on the features, use and operation of the
heated seat system. Refer toPower Seatin the
index of this service manual for the location of com-
plete heated seat system wiring diagrams.
Fig. 1 Heated Seat System Switches
1 - RADIO RECEIVER
2 - HEATED SEAT SWITCHES
BR/BEHEATED SEAT SYSTEM 8G - 5

²If both indicator lamps for a heated seat switch
operate, but the heated seat elements do not heat,
refer toHeated Seat Modulein Electronic Control
Modules for the location of the proper heated seat
module diagnosis and testing procedures. Also refer
to the Body Diagnostic Manual for additional diagno-
sis and testing procedures.
²If none of the indicator lamps for both heated
seat switches will operate and the heated seat ele-
ments for both seats do not heat, refer toHeated
Seat Relayin this section for the location of the
proper heated seat relay diagnosis and testing proce-
dures.
²If the an indicator lamp on either heated seat
switch remains illuminated after the heated seat has
been turned Off, refer toHeated Seat Modulein
Electronic Control Modules for the location of the
proper heated seat module diagnosis and testing pro-
cedures. Also refer to the Body Diagnostic Manual for
additional diagnosis and testing procedures.
DRIVER SEAT HEATER
SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The heated seat switches used on vehicles with
this option are both mounted in a heated seat switch
bezel (Fig. 2), which replaces the standard equipmentcubby bin located in the lower right corner of the
instrument cluster bezel next to the radio receiver.
The two switches are snapped into the mounting
holes of the heated seat switch bezel, and the heated
seat switch bezel is secured with three screws to the
instrument panel. The mounts for the heated seat
switch bezel are concealed behind the instrument
cluster bezel. The two heated seat switches are iden-
tical in appearance and construction, except for the
location of a keyway in the single connector recepta-
cle on the back of each switch. The instrument panel
wire harness connectors for the heated seat switches
are keyed to match the connector receptacles on the
switches so that the two heated seat switches can
only be connected to the proper heated seat.
The momentary, bidirectional rocker-type heated
seat switch provides a resistor-multiplexed signal to
the heated seat module. Each switch has a center
neutral position and momentary Low and High posi-
tions so that both the driver and the front seat pas-
senger can select a preferred seat heating mode.
Each heated seat switch has two Light-Emitting
Diode (LED) indicator lamps, which indicate the
selected mode (Low or High) of the seat heater for
each seat and to provide diagnostic feedback for the
heated seat system. Each switch also has an incan-
descent bulb, which provides panel lamps dimmer
controlled back lighting of the switch nomenclature
when the headlamps or park lamps are turned on.
The two LED indicator lamps and the incandescent
bulb in each heated seat switch cannot be repaired. If
the indicator lamps or back lighting bulb are faulty
or damaged, the individual heated seat switch unit
must be replaced.
OPERATION
The heated seat switches receive battery current
through a fused ignition switch output (run) circuit
when the ignition switch is in the On position.
Depressing the heated seat switch rocker to its
momentary High or Low position provides a hard-
wired resistor multiplexed voltage request signal to
the heated seat module to power the heated seat ele-
ment of the selected seat and maintain the requested
temperature setting. If the heated seat switch is
depressed to a different position (Low or High) than
the currently selected state, the heated seat module
will change states to support the new selection. If a
heated seat switch is depressed a second time to the
same position as the currently selected state, the
heated seat module interprets the second input as a
request to turn the seat heater off. The heated seat
module will then turn the heated seat elements for
that seat off.
Fig. 2 Heated Seat Switches
1 - DRIVER SIDE SWITCH
2 - PASSENGER SIDE SWITCH
3 - INDICATOR LAMPS
4 - HEATED SEAT SWITCH BEZEL
BR/BEHEATED SEAT SYSTEM 8G - 7
HEATED SEAT SYSTEM (Continued)

(3) Reconnect the two instrument panel wire har-
ness connectors to the connector receptacles on the
backs of the heated seat switches.
(4) Position the heated seat switch bezel and both
switches in the instrument panel mounting hole as a
unit.
(5) Install and tighten the three screws that secure
the heated seat switch bezel to the instrument panel.
Tighten the screws to 2.2 N´m (20 in. lbs.).
(6) Install the cluster bezel onto the instrument
panel. Refer toCluster Bezelin the index of this
service manual for the location of the proper cluster
bezel installation procedures.
(7) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
HEATED SEAT ELEMENT
DESCRIPTION
Vehicles equipped with the optional heated seat
system have two sets of electrically operated heating
element grids located in each outboard seating posi-
tion of the front seat, one set for the seat cushion
and the other set for the seat back. Each of the
heated seat element grids consists of a single length
of resistor wire that is routed in a zigzag pattern and
captured between the leather trim cover and the
foam rubber backing on the underside of its respec-
tive seat cushion trim cover and seat back trim cover
assembly. Short pigtail wires with connectors (Fig. 5)
are soldered to each end of each resistor wire ele-
ment grid, which connect all of the element grids foreach seating position to each other in series with the
heated seat module through the seat wire harness.
One temperature sensor is used for each outboard
seating position of the front seat, and it is located in
the center insert area of the seat cushion cover. The
heated seat sensors and their pigtail wires are also
captured between the leather trim cover and the
foam rubber backing on the underside of their
respective seat cushion trim cover assemblies. The
heated seat sensors are Negative Thermal Coefficient
(NTC) thermistors. The sensors for both front seats
receive a voltage feed from a single output of the
heated seat module, but the module receives individ-
ual sensor inputs from the driver side and passenger
side sensors.
The heated seat elements and sensors cannot be
repaired. If damaged or faulty, the front seat cushion
trim cover or front seat back trim cover assembly
must be replaced. Refer toFront Seat Cushion
Cover - Quad CaborFront Seat Back Cover -
Quad Cabin the index of this service manual for
the location of the proper front seat trim cover
removal and installation procedures.
OPERATION
One end of the heated seat element resistor wire is
connected to a ground feed at all times through a
splice in the heated seat module ground circuit. Bat-
tery current is directed to the other end of the heated
seat element resistor wire by the energized N-chan-
nel Field Effect Transistor (N-FET) located within
the heated seat module. The heated seat module will
energize the N-FET only when the heated seat
switch is in the Low or High position and the heated
seat sensor indicates that the seat cushion surface
temperature is below the selected (Low or High) tem-
perature set point. As electrical current passes
through the heating element grid, the resistance of
the wire used in the element disperses some of that
electrical current in the form of heat. The heat pro-
duced by the heated seat element grid then radiates
through the underside of the seat cushion and seat
back trim covers, warming the seat cover and its
occupant.
The resistance of the heated seat sensor increases
and decreases as the surface temperature of the seat
cushion cover changes. The heated seat module sup-
plies each sensor with a voltage feed, then detects
the sensor resistance by monitoring the voltage of the
separate sensor return circuits. The heated seat mod-
ule compares the heated seat sensor resistance (seat
cushion surface temperature) with the heated seat
switch resistance (Low or High set point) to deter-
mine when the heated seat element grids need to be
cycled on or off in order to maintain the selected tem-
perature set point.
Fig. 5 Heated Seat Cushion Trim Cover
1 - TO SEAT BACK COVER
2 - TO SEAT WIRE HARNESS
3 - FOAM PADDING
4 - HEATED SEAT CUSHION TRIM COVER
5 - TO ELEMENT GRIDS
6 - TO ELEMENT GRIDS AND SENSOR
8G - 10 HEATED SEAT SYSTEMBR/BE
DRIVER SEAT HEATER SWITCH (Continued)

The momentary, bidirectional rocker-type heated
seat switch provides a resistor-multiplexed signal to
the heated seat module. Each switch has a center
neutral position and momentary Low and High posi-
tions so that both the driver and the front seat pas-
senger can select a preferred seat heating mode.
Each heated seat switch has two Light-Emitting
Diode (LED) indicator lamps, which indicate the
selected mode (Low or High) of the seat heater for
each seat and to provide diagnostic feedback for the
heated seat system. Each switch also has an incan-
descent bulb, which provides panel lamps dimmer
controlled back lighting of the switch nomenclature
when the headlamps or park lamps are turned on.
The two LED indicator lamps and the incandescent
bulb in each heated seat switch cannot be repaired. If
the indicator lamps or back lighting bulb are faulty
or damaged, the individual heated seat switch unit
must be replaced.
OPERATION
The heated seat switches receive battery current
through a fused ignition switch output (run) circuit
when the ignition switch is in the On position.
Depressing the heated seat switch rocker to its
momentary High or Low position provides a hard-
wired resistor multiplexed voltage request signal to
the heated seat module to power the heated seat ele-
ment of the selected seat and maintain the requestedtemperature setting. If the heated seat switch is
depressed to a different position (Low or High) than
the currently selected state, the heated seat module
will change states to support the new selection. If a
heated seat switch is depressed a second time to the
same position as the currently selected state, the
heated seat module interprets the second input as a
request to turn the seat heater off. The heated seat
module will then turn the heated seat elements for
that seat off.
The indicator lamps in the heated seat switches
receive battery current through a fused ignition
switch output (run) circuit when the ignition switch
is in the On position. The ground side of each indi-
cator lamp is controlled by a separate (high or low/
driver or passenger) indicator lamp driver circuit by
the heated seat module. The heated seat module con-
trol of the switch indicator lamps also allows the
module to provide diagnostic feedback to the vehicle
operator to indicate monitored heated seat system
faults by flashing the indicator lamps on and off. One
side of the incandescent back lighting bulb in each
heated seat switch is connected to ground at all
times. The other side of the incandescent bulb is con-
nected to the fused panel lamps dimmer switch sig-
nal circuit. These bulbs are energized when the park
lamps or headlamps are turned on, and their illumi-
nation intensity is controlled by the panel lamps dim-
mer switch.
DIAGNOSIS & TESTING - HEATED SEAT
SWITCH
Refer toWiring Diagramsfor the location of com-
plete heated seat system wiring diagrams.
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) If the problem being diagnosed involves inoper-
ative heated seat switch back lighting and the cluster
illumination lamps operate, go to Step 2. If the prob-
lem being diagnosed involves inoperative heated seat
switch back lighting and the cluster illumination
lamps are also inoperative, refer toInstrument
Fig. 9 Heated Seat Switches
1 - DRIVER SIDE SWITCH
2 - PASSENGER SIDE SWITCH
3 - INDICATOR LAMPS
4 - HEATED SEAT SWITCH BEZEL
8G - 14 HEATED SEAT SYSTEMBR/BE
PASSENGER SEAT HEATER SWITCH (Continued)

SPARK PLUG CABLE RESISTANCE
MINIMUM MAXIMUM
250 Ohms Per Inch 1000 Ohms Per Inch
3000 Ohms Per Foot 12,000 Ohms Per Foot
SPARK PLUGS
ENGINE PLUG TYPE ELECTRODE GAP
3.9L V-6 RC12LC4 1.01 mm (.040 in.)
5.2L/5.9L V-8 RC12LC4 1.01 mm (.040 in.)
8.0L V-10 QC9MC4 1.14 mm (.045 in.)
IGNITION COIL RESISTANCEÐ3.9L/5.2L/5.9L ENGINES
COIL MANUFACTURERPRIMARY RESISTANCE
21-27ÉC (70-80ÉF)SECONDARY RESISTANCE 21-27ÉC
(70-80ÉF)
Diamond 0.97 - 1.18 Ohms 11,300 - 15,300 Ohms
Toyodenso 0.95 - 1.20 Ohms 11,300 - 13,300 Ohms
IGNITION COIL RESISTANCEÐ8.0L V-10
ENGINE
Primary Resistance: 0.53-0.65 Ohms. Test across the
primary connector. Refer to text for test procedures.
Secondary Resistance: 10.9-14.7K Ohms. Test
across the individual coil towers. Refer to text for test
procedures.
IGNITION TIMING
Ignition timing is not adjustable on any engine.
AUTOMATIC SHUT DOWN
RELAY
DESCRIPTION - PCM OUTPUT
The 5±pin, 12±volt, Automatic Shutdown (ASD)
relay is located in the Power Distribution Center
(PDC). Refer to label on PDC cover for relay location.
OPERATION - PCM OUTPUT
The ASD relay supplies battery voltage (12+ volts)
to the fuel injectors and ignition coil(s). With certain
emissions packages it also supplies 12±volts to the
oxygen sensor heating elements.
The ground circuit for the coil within the ASD
relay is controlled by the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM). The PCM operates the ASD relay by switch-
ing its ground circuit on and off.The ASD relay will be shut±down, meaning the
12±volt power supply to the ASD relay will be de-ac-
tivated by the PCM if:
²the ignition key is left in the ON position. This
is if the engine has not been running for approxi-
mately 1.8 seconds.
²there is a crankshaft position sensor signal to
the PCM that is lower than pre-determined values.
OPERATION - ASD SENSE - PCM INPUT
A 12 volt signal at this input indicates to the PCM
that the ASD has been activated. The relay is used to
connect the oxygen sensor heater element, ignition
coil and fuel injectors to 12 volt + power supply.
This input is used only to sense that the ASD relay
is energized. If the Powertrain Control Module
(PCM) does not see 12 volts at this input when the
ASD should be activated, it will set a Diagnostic
Trouble Code (DTC).
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - ASD AND FUEL
PUMP RELAYS
The following description of operation and
tests apply only to the Automatic Shutdown
(ASD) and fuel pump relays. The terminals on the
bottom of each relay are numbered. Two different
types of relays may be used, (Fig. 1) or (Fig. 2).
²Terminal number 30 is connected to battery volt-
age. For both the ASD and fuel pump relays, termi-
nal 30 is connected to battery voltage at all times.
BR/BEIGNITION CONTROL 8I - 3
IGNITION CONTROL (Continued)

CHIPPED ELECTRODE INSULATOR
A chipped electrode insulator usually results from
bending the center electrode while adjusting the
spark plug electrode gap. Under certain conditions,
severe detonation can also separate the insulator
from the center electrode (Fig. 33). Spark plugs with
this condition must be replaced.
PREIGNITION DAMAGE
Preignition damage is usually caused by excessive
combustion chamber temperature. The center elec-
trode dissolves first and the ground electrode dis-
solves somewhat latter (Fig. 34). Insulators appear
relatively deposit free. Determine if the spark plug
has the correct heat range rating for the engine.
Determine if ignition timing is over advanced or if
other operating conditions are causing engine over-
heating. (The heat range rating refers to the operat-
ing temperature of a particular type spark plug.
Spark plugs are designed to operate within specific
temperature ranges. This depends upon the thick-
ness and length of the center electrodes porcelain
insulator.)
SPARK PLUG OVERHEATING
Overheating is indicated by a white or gray center
electrode insulator that also appears blistered (Fig.
35). The increase in electrode gap will be consider-
ably in excess of 0.001 inch per 2000 miles of opera-
tion. This suggests that a plug with a cooler heat
range rating should be used. Over advanced ignition
timing, detonation and cooling system malfunctions
can also cause spark plug overheating.
REMOVAL
On 3.9L/5.2L/5.9L engines, spark plug cable heat
shields are pressed into the cylinder head to sur-
round each cable boot and spark plug (Fig. 36).
(1) Always remove spark plug or ignition coil
cables by grasping at the cable boot (Fig. 38). Turn
the cable boot 1/2 turn and pull straight back in a
steady motion. Never pull directly on the cable.
Internal damage to cable will result.
(2) Prior to removing the spark plug, spray com-
pressed air around the spark plug hole and the area
around the spark plug. This will help prevent foreign
material from entering the combustion chamber.
(3) Remove the spark plug using a quality socket
with a rubber or foam insert.
(4) Inspect the spark plug condition. Refer to
Spark Plug Condition in the Diagnostics and Testing
section of this group.
Fig. 33 Chipped Electrode Insulator
1 - GROUND ELECTRODE
2 - CENTER ELECTRODE
3 - CHIPPED INSULATOR
Fig. 34 Preignition Damage
1 - GROUND ELECTRODE STARTING TO DISSOLVE
2 - CENTER ELECTRODE DISSOLVED
Fig. 35 Spark Plug Overheating
1 - BLISTERED WHITE OR GRAY COLORED INSULATOR
8I - 18 IGNITION CONTROLBR/BE
SPARK PLUG (Continued)