2008 DODGE RAM 2500 POWER WAGON wiring

WARNING!
²Relying on the airbags alone could lead to more
severe injuries in a collision. The airbags work
with your seat belt to restrain you properly. In
some collisions the airbags won't deploy at all.
Always wear your seat belts even though you have
airbags.
²Being too close to the steering wheel or instrument
panel during airbag deployment could cause seri-
ous injury. Airbags need room to inflate. Sit back,
comfortably extending your arms to reach the
steering wheel or instrument panel.
²If the vehicle has window bags, they also need
room to inflate. Do not lean against the door or
window. Sit upright in the center of the seat.
Air Bag System Components
The airbag system consists of the following:
²Occupant Restraint Controller
²Side Remote Acceleration Sensors (If Equipped)
²Airbag Warning Light
²Driver Airbag
²Passenger Airbag
²Window Bags above Side Windows (If Equipped)
²Steering Wheel and Column
²Instrument Panel
²Interconnecting Wiring
²Knee Impact Bolsters
²Front Acceleration Sensors (1500 Vehicles Only)
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE 51
2

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the airbag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.NOTE:
Perchlorate Material ± special handling may apply,
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 5 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Multifunction Control Lever
The multifunction control lever is located on the left side
of the steering column.
Turn Signals
Move the lever up or down to signal a right-hand or
left-hand turn.
The arrow on either side of the instrument cluster flashes
to indicate the direction of the turn, and proper operation
of the front and rear turn signal lights. If a defective bulb
or wiring circuit is detected for the turn signal system, the
arrow indicators will flash at a faster rate. If an indicator
fails to light when the lever is moved, it would suggest
that the switch or indicator lamp is defective.
You can signal a lane change by moving the lever
partially up or down.
Turn Signal Auto-Mode
Tap the multi-function control lever once and the turn
signal (left or right) will flash 3 times, and automatically
turn off.
Turn Signal Lever
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 133
3

WARNING!
Do not connect trailer brakes to your vehicle's hy-
draulic brake lines. It can overload your brake sys-
tem and cause it to fail. You might not have brakes
when you need them and could have an accident.
Towing any trailer will increase your stopping dis-
tance. When towing you should allow for additional
space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front
of you. Failure to do so could result in an accident.
Towing Requirements Ð Trailer Lights & Wiring
Whenever you pull a trailer, regardless of the trailer size,
stop lights and turn signals on the trailer are required for
motoring safety.
The Trailer Tow Package may includea4and7pin
wiring harness. Use a factory approved trailer harness
and connector.
NOTE:Do not cut or splice wiring into the vehicles
wiring harness.
STARTING AND OPERATING 377
5

WARNING!
Any work done to the vehicles electrical system, or
wiring, should be performed by a qualified automo-
tive technician, if done improperly it may cause
damage to the electrical system wiring and could
result in serious or fatal injury.
The following chart identifies the maximum electrical
loads that the trailer tow output circuits are capable of
supporting.
Trailer Tow Additional Lamp Loads
Output
FunctionsMaximum
CurrentAdditional Bulbs Allowed
Example Only. Other bulb
combinations can be used as
long as maximum current is
not exceeded.
Stop/Turn
Left16A 2 #3157 bulbs for stop/turn
Stop/Turn
Right16A 2 #3157 bulbs for stop/turn
Trailer
Park
Lamps14A2 #1157 bulbs (two filament
park/stop/turn) plus up to
24 #168 or #194 peanut
bulbs.
STARTING AND OPERATING 379
5

Snow Tires........................... 345
Spare Tire........................... 392
Spinning............................ 340
Tread Wear Indicators................... 341
Wheel Mounting....................... 393
Wheel Nut Torque..................... 396
Tongue Weight/Trailer Weight.............. 372
Torque Converter Clutch.................. 267
Tow Hooks, Emergency................... 402
Towing............................... 367
Disabled Vehicle....................... 403
Guide.............................. 372
Recreational.......................... 384
Weight.............................. 372
Traction.............................. 276
Trailer Towing.......................... 367
Cooling System Tips.................... 381
Hitches............................. 371
Minimum Requirements................. 373Mirrors...........................92,381
Trailer and Tongue Weight................ 372
Wiring.............................. 377
Trailer Towing Guide..................... 372
Trailer Weight.......................... 372
Transaxle
Automatic............................ 13
Manual.............................. 14
Transfer Case........................... 435
Fluid............................... 466
Transmission
Automatic........................262,436
Fluid............................... 466
Maintenance.......................435,436
Manual........................258,268,435
Shifting............................. 262
Transmitter, Garage Door Opener (HomeLinkt) . . 150
Tread Wear Indicators.................... 341
Trip Computer.......................... 143
INDEX 501
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