The drivers side "headlight out" has haunted me for years. Finally it's been fixed! It was the FCM. I previously replaced the fuse box, but that didn't fix the issue. I didn't know how to diagnose it. Your video is extremely helpful and made me confident this wouldn't be another waste of money. Thank you so much! My 2004 with 263k miles lives on.
Thanks for the great video. Really appreciate your methodological approach to the problem and the FCM pin-out information is invaluable. I have a 2004 1500 that I bought new and this is the second time I've had to fix this problem. First time, a few years ago, I just removed the FCM, sprayed the connector with contact cleaner, put it back together and it was fixed. That didn't work this time unfortunately so I suspected a faulty FCM and reluctantly bought a used one on eBay. Installed it and still no left side low beam. Watched your video and checked pins as instructed and they appeared to have correct voltage and continuity. Reinstalled original FCM and same problem. Because I had a lot of trouble getting a good connection to the pins with my probe probably due to corrosion, I tried wiggling the FCM around on the connector without the hold down screws installed and with the lights turned on. Sure enough, just a few wiggles and the lights started working properly. Just ordered a pin cleaning tool kit. This time I'm going to do the job right and properly clean all the pins and then coat them with dielectric grease before reassembly. I think you wouldn't normally expect corrosion as the problem because the pins looked clean, it's a sealed connector, and my truck has very little corrosion generally because it's been down south it's entire life. But it was in fact the problem. Thanks again for taking the time to make the video, you saved me potentially hundreds of dollars trying to fix what is actually a very simple issue.
Thank you for this video! I’ve been watching other videos and skipped this one then finally watched it and it fixed my issue. My lights were not working correctly and I tried replacing fuse box and checking wiring and everything else you can think of excluding changing the FCM. After watching your video, I said screw it and went to a junk yard for 50 dollar fcm. It WORKED! Thanks again 🙏 it was for 2002 dodge Ram 1500.
@@samswildgarage8805 okay all other lights work on the truck other than my driver low beam headlight. So i sadly think it might be my fuse box. Thank you for the reply!
@@brendencampbell8526 you might be able to fix it if you pull the fuse box apart and see where the corrosion is there was another guy in the comments that had a burnt segment that he soldered a wire between
Hey man love the videos, have been allot of help sofar. Can you help try to diagnose one strnage problem in my 04 ram? Its gas . But when i accelerate passed 1/8 of an inch , it sounds like theres a turbo in it. And it stops after about quarter throttle. Changing drive belt. Is there any chance youd know lol?
@@samswildgarage8805 I tried the belt and the drive chain looks okay, and it's actually only while in gear lol. If I'm parked and rev engine it doesn't appear. So it's probably the power steering pump, thank you !
@@samswildgarage8805 no it feels good , and I've let my dad drive because he's more experienced and he hasn't said anything about that. He actually can't even hear the noise but I definitely can lol. It sounds like a vacuum sucking in air
I removed the fuse box to access the fcm and with the lights in the on position I loosened the screws and started pulling on the fcm and the light turned on so then I put a couple more washers behind each screw and put it back together. Both lights are working and no longer have the "lamp out" message. I'll come back and edit if I have any issues.
Thanks for showing me how to test the fcm. I did the testing with my test light & a jumper wire. Neither 8 or 9 will turn on the lights. We have an 04 2500. I have replaced my fcm 4 times but never the fuse box. Where should I go to next. I blew out my fuse box connectors with canned air & went from 1 low beam to 2 low beam & 1 high beam. It would be great to find my gremlin! Thanks!
thanks for the reply, I did your test the only thing different about mine is when I tested and put power to #8 and 9 my headlights dont turn on, but they arent the issue all my lights work just my driver side turn signal doenst work. @@samswildgarage8805
test lights are not always a good indication of a fault power feed wire. I have seen power feeds light up a test light but if that test light were able to put more of a load on power feed then it could show if it fails under a load. Did you happen to take apart the FCM? I am debating on taking mine apart and seeing if I can find a broken solder joint.
Great vid... have a question....I have an 05 2500...my marker lights ..roof lights dont come on...everything else does...did a jumper from pin 15 on Fcm to 73 fuse which is parking lamp fuse...and worked for years ...and now it crapped out...check and found jumper wire corroded..replaced it have power going to 73 fuse and it didnt work...fuse circuit board issue?..
Hi did this test...pin 8 lights up but not the passengers headlamp...but the headlamp does work as it should...my issue is the drivers side...pin 9 doesnt light up with the test light..swapped out FCM no resolve..possible Fuse Box is bad..?..at one time the lamp out dash light would come and go and now its on for good...
If the headlight is not lighting up at the point in the test where it should Then there is a break in the line between the fuse box and the headlight Most likely the headlight plug it’s self Bust could be a broken wire or bad fuse box
I have a wire running from my fuse box to make the right high beam work but shows up on bash as bulb out🤔🤔🤔any help greatly appreciated they just failed my sticker because of it????
does the front control module also control the blonkers?my truck the headlights,one works regular the other is high beams but if i swamp the bulbs same thing happens and also the blinker lights dont work,
Nice video. I got the exact same problem. Did all the steps you did everything came out just like yours. But the final step you did on given power to the head lights i notice your head lights turned on but the bulb on your test light did not. Mine was the opposite. Head lights did not turn on but bulb on my test light turned on. Just wondering if you know why it did that?
if your test light was hooked to your positive terminal and you where touching the right terminals on the fuse box. then you have a short between your fuse box and your headlight
FYI. I found on a thread that unplugging the fcm for 10 min can reset the tripped relay. Did all your tests and plugged it back in to jump wires and the lights can’t back on. With a new bulb. Power was not there before!!!!
in my situation the terminal for the headlight had a loose solder in the fcm and would work anytime you wiggled it its possible yours is the same and from you moving it made it connect again
Any assistance would be nice on this. I have an 04 ram 1500 hemi and one day all of a sudden my front right low beam went out. It's one whole bulb system and I replaced the bulb but it didn't work. Then I fiddled around with a couple fuses for the FCM relay and all of a sudden it came back. But after driving a little while it basically shorted itself out again. Both the old and new bulbs are fine.
I had a bad module. I had no headlights no blinkers brake lights or wipers. I changed the module now everything works except for my headlights. Any ideas?
@@emilyscandycakes4530I do not. It’s been a few years now. My trace was visibly blown so it was easy to see the problem and the traces are easy to follow to run a new wire. The hardest part was getting the plastic halves apart to pull the boards out.
Seeing this vid in 2024 finally taking up the task of finding out why my light is out. Tried the test and got to the post where you made your headlights flash and mine did not. Any help would be great! Thanks
Then there is a break in the line between your fuse box and headlight Most likely your headlight plug it’s self But could be the fuse box as well or the wires between the box and the light
My number 9 slot on fuse box doesn't seem to have the metal Inside it. Cant get any connection with the tester. Tried a different fcm. And still nothing. Only thing it can be is the fuse box. I replaced the headlight switch already too
@@samswildgarage8805 only the high beams work. They just randomly went out. And like I seen someone else post. When I touched #8 with the test light (walmart) it lit up but did not turn head lights on. And like I said. Number 9 I can't get any feedback from with tester even put smaller stuff in there. It's like the metal sleeve is gone or so dirty I can't see it maybe.
@@slaunchhuntertv4282 ya sounds like there's a problem in the fuse box. you can pull the whole thing apart and see if its just corroded inside. its basically a bunch of plates with pins poked through each other
@@samswildgarage8805 1st thing i thought of, not there like most of them. Beginning to think it's built into the main plug on the transmission that connects to the valve body.
I just took my 04 3500 ram diesel , one headlight works on high the other on low beam, only the right rear turn signal works, they dignosed everything and said I'm SCREWED, Dodge discontued what I need the "tipum" and something else... and no aftermarkets ... says he might be able to send mine out and have them rebuilt. take about a month and $2K. can't I just wire this thing with some manual switches and bypass the factory light switches. ? also my rear 7 point trailer plug in the back works,,,,,,
What about if my low beams are fine and my high beams are low and delay coming on when they do my lamp out light comes on we have changed the bulbs and put whole new lens
My markerlights, taillights and fog lights stay on when I turn my truck off, and usually turn off 10 minutes later but sometimes stay on indefinitely. I'll definitely check this module
@@samswildgarage8805 I was wondering why the test light lights up but not the headlight. When I ran a plain wire to the pins 8 and 9 the headlights lit up. Thanks! I’m pretty sure the Bcm is out like yours. I followed the instructions!
@@Christ-is-King- it's possible that your test light does not allow enough current through it. if you tested with a wire and your lights come on then the results are the same as mine
My headlights also turned on when I used a piece of wire from the battery to the 8 and 9 pin. When I used my test light, only it lit up, not the headlights. That being said, after soldering a jumper on my corroded fuse box circuit board and fixing my only one headlight working issue, I now have a front marker out (bulb is good) and my driver's side tail lights don't work unless I turn the left turn signal or hazard lights on. The left brake light doesn't work at all either, but the back up light works. Everything on the right tail light works correctly. I guess my question is should I replace the FCM? I can't find much info on exactly what it controls. 2003 5.9
Pin 8 and 9 light up the test tool in your procedure for me but the lights do not come on for driver or passenger side low beams. My passenger side low beam has not been working but my driver side does work. But driver side does not come on with this test either
The drivers side "headlight out" has haunted me for years. Finally it's been fixed! It was the FCM. I previously replaced the fuse box, but that didn't fix the issue. I didn't know how to diagnose it. Your video is extremely helpful and made me confident this wouldn't be another waste of money. Thank you so much! My 2004 with 263k miles lives on.
Thanks for the great video. Really appreciate your methodological approach to the problem and the FCM pin-out information is invaluable. I have a 2004 1500 that I bought new and this is the second time I've had to fix this problem. First time, a few years ago, I just removed the FCM, sprayed the connector with contact cleaner, put it back together and it was fixed. That didn't work this time unfortunately so I suspected a faulty FCM and reluctantly bought a used one on eBay. Installed it and still no left side low beam. Watched your video and checked pins as instructed and they appeared to have correct voltage and continuity. Reinstalled original FCM and same problem. Because I had a lot of trouble getting a good connection to the pins with my probe probably due to corrosion, I tried wiggling the FCM around on the connector without the hold down screws installed and with the lights turned on. Sure enough, just a few wiggles and the lights started working properly. Just ordered a pin cleaning tool kit. This time I'm going to do the job right and properly clean all the pins and then coat them with dielectric grease before reassembly. I think you wouldn't normally expect corrosion as the problem because the pins looked clean, it's a sealed connector, and my truck has very little corrosion generally because it's been down south it's entire life. But it was in fact the problem. Thanks again for taking the time to make the video, you saved me potentially hundreds of dollars trying to fix what is actually a very simple issue.
no problem glad i could help
Thanks it was the right side terminals oxidized for the right low beam on the fcm! Saved me soo much hassle
Excellent post. My lights are acting up. Thanks to your post I can go check some things that might be casing problems.
awesome!
Helped trace the problem perfectly. Wish there wasn't any background music. Thank you
My headlight module didn't even need to be replaced it just needed a wiggle and the circuit fixed itself. Thanks a bunch
Thank you for this video! I’ve been watching other videos and skipped this one then finally watched it and it fixed my issue. My lights were not working correctly and I tried replacing fuse box and checking wiring and everything else you can think of excluding changing the FCM.
After watching your video, I said screw it and went to a junk yard for 50 dollar fcm. It WORKED!
Thanks again 🙏 it was for 2002 dodge Ram 1500.
glad it helped you!
Spent months with only 1 low beam. After trying to fix it I ended up with no low beam. Followed this and now all working again. I’m so thankful!
Glad I could help
It’s a very common problem it seems
Thanks for the video If I get a new one do I have re-program it ?
no
Gracias was very help me your video
Cuídate vendiciones
Okay so question if my 6&7 pins not sending power to my FCM what would cause that bad fuse box?
fuse box or headlight switch
or wiring in between
@@samswildgarage8805 okay all other lights work on the truck other than my driver low beam headlight. So i sadly think it might be my fuse box. Thank you for the reply!
@@brendencampbell8526 you might be able to fix it if you pull the fuse box apart
and see where the corrosion is
there was another guy in the comments that had a burnt segment that he soldered a wire between
Is the body control module and FCM the same? Ebay calls this part body control module.
could be, it's been a while since i looked for one on ebay
Hey man love the videos, have been allot of help sofar. Can you help try to diagnose one strnage problem in my 04 ram? Its gas . But when i accelerate passed 1/8 of an inch , it sounds like theres a turbo in it. And it stops after about quarter throttle. Changing drive belt. Is there any chance youd know lol?
ya could be alternator or power steering pump
or a bad belt
@@samswildgarage8805 I tried the belt and the drive chain looks okay, and it's actually only while in gear lol. If I'm parked and rev engine it doesn't appear. So it's probably the power steering pump, thank you !
@@anthonycoschigano131 does the transmission slip
@@samswildgarage8805 no it feels good , and I've let my dad drive because he's more experienced and he hasn't said anything about that. He actually can't even hear the noise but I definitely can lol. It sounds like a vacuum sucking in air
I love this truck so much tho so I've been slowly addressing all the small issues. That's next for sure !!!
was cheaper to replace or you think better just to send it out to the companies that fix circuit boards? Like pcu's or ecm's
cheaper to replace
I removed the fuse box to access the fcm and with the lights in the on position I loosened the screws and started pulling on the fcm and the light turned on so then I put a couple more washers behind each screw and put it back together. Both lights are working and no longer have the "lamp out" message. I'll come back and edit if I have any issues.
Could it be that you had corrosion on the pads/connectors?
@@CrinosAD no visible corrosion, it's a common problem because I went to the junk yard and all the fcm's were pulled out.
curious if it's still working with adding the extra washers?
@@eloyd82 It did for a couple weeks then it started acting up again 🙄. I also went to the junkyard to look for another fcm but they were all gone.
Thanks for showing me how to test the fcm. I did the testing with my test light & a jumper wire. Neither 8 or 9 will turn on the lights. We have an 04 2500. I have replaced my fcm 4 times but never the fuse box. Where should I go to next. I blew out my fuse box connectors with canned air & went from 1 low beam to 2 low beam & 1 high beam. It would be great to find my gremlin! Thanks!
Do you have led bulbs for your lights? If so, are they connected to a resistor?
i have LED's with no resistors but if you have a 2005 you might need them
Will this revel the same regarding a driver side turn signal?
i would have to look at the wiring diagram again
this exact test no! but something similar perhaps
thanks for the reply, I did your test the only thing different about mine is when I tested and put power to #8 and 9 my headlights dont turn on, but they arent the issue all my lights work just my driver side turn signal doenst work. @@samswildgarage8805
Curious if you had to have your truck reprogrammed after replacing this??
no
@samswildgarage8805 thanks for getting back to me
Where did yu buy the fcm from?
Was the problem low beam only? Or high beams also? Both my lows out now. But highs work
on mine it was low beam. but it could be high beams as well.
test lights are not always a good indication of a fault power feed wire. I have seen power feeds light up a test light but if that test light were able to put more of a load on power feed then it could show if it fails under a load. Did you happen to take apart the FCM? I am debating on taking mine apart and seeing if I can find a broken solder joint.
yes i pulled apart the fcm
it had no visible damage inside so i just replaced it
Great vid... have a question....I have an 05 2500...my marker lights ..roof lights dont come on...everything else does...did a jumper from pin 15 on Fcm to 73 fuse which is parking lamp fuse...and worked for years ...and now it crapped out...check and found jumper wire corroded..replaced it have power going to 73 fuse and it didnt work...fuse circuit board issue?..
are you asking if its fuse or circuit board?
@@samswildgarage8805 fix it...my jumper was corroded
I have same year but it’s my fog lights, my passenger side… does the same apply ?
no fog lights are a separate circuit
great thanks for the help
Very helpful and thorough video and help me understand the procedure to get it fixed thanks
Thanks man. Any other repairs you need a tutorial on?
Hi did this test...pin 8 lights up but not the passengers headlamp...but the headlamp does work as it should...my issue is the drivers side...pin 9 doesnt light up with the test light..swapped out FCM no resolve..possible Fuse Box is bad..?..at one time the lamp out dash light would come and go and now its on for good...
If the headlight is not lighting up at the point in the test where it should
Then there is a break in the line between the fuse box and the headlight
Most likely the headlight plug it’s self
Bust could be a broken wire or bad fuse box
you the man bro
thanks
I have a wire running from my fuse box to make the right high beam work but shows up on bash as bulb out🤔🤔🤔any help greatly appreciated they just failed my sticker because of it????
what do you want to know?
@@samswildgarage8805 if anyone knows how to fix it properly?
@@danielsullivan2558 yes what have you tested so far because there is about three things that it could be
does the front control module also control the blonkers?my truck the headlights,one works regular the other is high beams but if i swamp the bulbs same thing happens and also the blinker lights dont work,
I’m not sure if the front control module controls indicators
Did you run the text in the video
yes i didi and found problem,thanks@@samswildgarage8805
Do you have to flash the fcm?
i dont think so
Nice video. I got the exact same problem. Did all the steps you did everything came out just like yours. But the final step you did on given power to the head lights i notice your head lights turned on but the bulb on your test light did not. Mine was the opposite. Head lights did not turn on but bulb on my test light turned on. Just wondering if you know why it did that?
did you put the light in the right holes?
if your test light was hooked to your positive terminal and you where touching the right terminals on the fuse box. then you have a short between your fuse box and your headlight
Mine did the same thing on both sides 03 3500
Thanks god bless
Any luck fixing your fcm?
Yes
The solder where the fcm spade plugs goes into the circuit board was loose
@@samswildgarage8805 No have any video to check that?
@@samswildgarage8805 Thank you for making this video. Did you make a video for your FCM repair?
@@vizioasdf no sorry. working on some new content but i need to find someone to edit it
FYI. I found on a thread that unplugging the fcm for 10 min can reset the tripped relay. Did all your tests and plugged it back in to jump wires and the lights can’t back on. With a new bulb. Power was not there before!!!!
in my situation the terminal for the headlight had a loose solder in the fcm and would work anytime you wiggled it
its possible yours is the same and from you moving it made it connect again
Any assistance would be nice on this. I have an 04 ram 1500 hemi and one day all of a sudden my front right low beam went out. It's one whole bulb system and I replaced the bulb but it didn't work. Then I fiddled around with a couple fuses for the FCM relay and all of a sudden it came back. But after driving a little while it basically shorted itself out again. Both the old and new bulbs are fine.
did you do the tests in the video?
I had a bad module. I had no headlights no blinkers brake lights or wipers. I changed the module now everything works except for my headlights. Any ideas?
what part did you change?
Yes what did you change?
🎉 it dose work ever good
Yes it does
Having the same problem with my 04, but the high beam works, low beam doesnt, could this still be the issue?
this was for fixing the low beam
My trailer lights are not working properly do you think changing the fcm will fix my problem?
Trailer lights are in the main fuse box at the bottom
My 02 blew a trace in the fusebox. I ended up just soldering jumpers wires and reflowing the joints while i was in there lol
Got vid on how to do this?..
@@emilyscandycakes4530I do not. It’s been a few years now. My trace was visibly blown so it was easy to see the problem and the traces are easy to follow to run a new wire. The hardest part was getting the plastic halves apart to pull the boards out.
@TheFallenAngel13524 o well ..are all 3rd gen fuse box the same?
Seeing this vid in 2024 finally taking up the task of finding out why my light is out. Tried the test and got to the post where you made your headlights flash and mine did not. Any help would be great! Thanks
Then there is a break in the line between your fuse box and headlight
Most likely your headlight plug it’s self
But could be the fuse box as well or the wires between the box and the light
My number 9 slot on fuse box doesn't seem to have the metal Inside it. Cant get any connection with the tester. Tried a different fcm. And still nothing. Only thing it can be is the fuse box. I replaced the headlight switch already too
do you only have one headlight working?
@@samswildgarage8805 only the high beams work. They just randomly went out. And like I seen someone else post. When I touched #8 with the test light (walmart) it lit up but did not turn head lights on. And like I said. Number 9 I can't get any feedback from with tester even put smaller stuff in there. It's like the metal sleeve is gone or so dirty I can't see it maybe.
@@slaunchhuntertv4282 ya sounds like there's a problem in the fuse box. you can pull the whole thing apart and see if its just corroded inside. its basically a bunch of plates with pins poked through each other
@@samswildgarage8805 I will try that. I couldn't see how it pulls apart. I'll try and figure it out.
Lost my reverse lights on my 2003. Any advice on a fix or a way I can power them right from my fuse box?
only reverse? or tail lights completely?
@@samswildgarage8805 only reverse
Replaced the board for all the lights in the back.
@@donaldmajewski5256 have you checked the reverse switch on your transmission?
@@samswildgarage8805 1st thing i thought of, not there like most of them. Beginning to think it's built into the main plug on the transmission that connects to the valve body.
I just took my 04 3500 ram diesel , one headlight works on high the other on low beam, only the right rear turn signal works, they dignosed everything and said I'm SCREWED, Dodge discontued what I need the "tipum" and something else... and no aftermarkets ... says he might be able to send mine out and have them rebuilt. take about a month and $2K. can't I just wire this thing with some manual switches and bypass the factory light switches. ? also my rear 7 point trailer plug in the back works,,,,,,
I’ve seen FCM’s on ebay
What about if my low beams are fine and my high beams are low and delay coming on when they do my lamp out light comes on we have changed the bulbs and put whole new lens
did you do the tests like in the video?
So Pin 9 is not working/lighting up for me. Pin 8 lights up fine. Does that mean it’s my fuse box and not my FCM?
Anyone know?
it's likely! you could pull it apart and take a look. probably a melted pin
We have a big light problem, no stop and 1 low beam,blinker issue and wipers
Did you find solution I have same issue
My markerlights, taillights and fog lights stay on when I turn my truck off, and usually turn off 10 minutes later but sometimes stay on indefinitely. I'll definitely check this module
Mine lights up in pin 8 and 9
Do you have a question?
@@samswildgarage8805 I was wondering why the test light lights up but not the headlight. When I ran a plain wire to the pins 8 and 9 the headlights lit up. Thanks! I’m pretty sure the Bcm is out like yours. I followed the instructions!
@@Christ-is-King- it's possible that your test light does not allow enough current through it. if you tested with a wire and your lights come on then the results are the same as mine
My headlights also turned on when I used a piece of wire from the battery to the 8 and 9 pin. When I used my test light, only it lit up, not the headlights. That being said, after soldering a jumper on my corroded fuse box circuit board and fixing my only one headlight working issue, I now have a front marker out (bulb is good) and my driver's side tail lights don't work unless I turn the left turn signal or hazard lights on. The left brake light doesn't work at all either, but the back up light works. Everything on the right tail light works correctly.
I guess my question is should I replace the FCM? I can't find much info on exactly what it controls.
2003 5.9
@@jonathanlombard8897 I replaced the BCM and it fixed my issue. I’m not sure about the side marker light.
🏁👍
Pin 8 and 9 light up the test tool in your procedure for me but the lights do not come on for driver or passenger side low beams. My passenger side low beam has not been working but my driver side does work. But driver side does not come on with this test either
I have same year but it’s my fog lights, my passenger side… does the same apply ?
no
I have same year but it’s my fog lights, my passenger side… does the same apply ?
no
I have same year but it’s my fog lights, my passenger side… does the same apply ?
no