DODGE RAM 2001 Service Repair Manual

DOOR AJAR SWITCH
DESCRIPTION
The door ajar switches are mounted to the door
hinge pillars. The switches close a path to ground for
the Central Timer Module (CTM) when a door is
opened, and open the ground path when a door is
closed.
The door ajar switches cannot be repaired and, if
faulty or damaged, they must be replaced.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - DOOR AJAR
SWITCH
For circuit descriptions and diagrams, refer to the
appropriate wiring information. The wiring informa-tion includes wiring diagrams, proper wire and con-
nector repair procedures, details of wire harness
routing and retention, connector pin-out information
and location views for the various wire harness con-
nectors, splices and grounds.
WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIR-
BAGS, REFER TO ELECTRICAL, RESTRAINTS
BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL,
STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. FAILURE
TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD
RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
(1) Rotate the headlamp switch knob counterclock-
wise to ensure that the dome lamps are not switched
off. Open the driver door and note whether the inte-
rior lamps light. They should light. If OK, (Refer to 8
- ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR/
HEADLAMP SWITCH - DIAGNOSIS AND TEST-
ING). If not OK, go to Step 2.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable. Unplug the driver door ajar switch from its
wire harness connector. Check for continuity between
the ground circuit cavity of the driver door ajar
switch wire harness connector and a good ground.
There should be continuity. If OK, go to Step 3. If not
OK, repair the circuit to ground as required.
(3) Check for continuity between the door ajar
switch ground circuit terminal and each of the other
two terminals of the driver door ajar switch. There
should be continuity with the switch plunger
released, and no continuity with the switch plunger
depressed. If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, replace the
faulty switch.
(4) Remove the Central Timer Module (CTM) from
its mounting bracket to access the CTM wire harness
connectors (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC
CONTROL MODULES/BODY CONTROL/CENTRAL
TIMER MODUL - REMOVAL). Unplug the 14-way
CTM wire harness connector. Check for continuity
between the driver door switch sense circuit cavity of
the 14-way CTM wire harness connector and a good
ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go to
Step 5. If not OK, repair the short circuit as
required.
(5) Check for continuity between the driver door
switch sense circuit cavities of the 14-way CTM wire
harness connector and the driver door ajar switch
wire harness connector. There should be continuity. If
OK, (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/LAMPS/LIGHTING -
EXTERIOR/HEADLAMP SWITCH - DIAGNOSIS
AND TESTING) If not OK, repair the open circuit as
required.
Fig. 1 Dome Lamp Lens
1 - HEADLINER
2 - CONNECTOR
3 - DOME LAMP
4 - LENS
5 - BULB
Fig. 2 Dome Lamp
1 - SLIDE LAMP
8L - 34 LAMPS/LIGHTING - INTERIORBR/BE
DOME LAMP (Continued)

REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Grasp the body of the door ajar switch with a
pair of pliers and move the switch gently back-and-
forth while pulling it out of the door hinge pillar
mounting hole.
(3) Pull the door ajar switch out from the pillar far
enough to access the wire harness connector (Fig. 3).
(4) Unplug the door ajar switch from the wire har-
ness connector.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install the door ajar switch to the wire harness
connector.
(2) Push the door ajar switch into the pillar.
(3) Connect the battery negative cable.
GLOVE BOX LAMP AND
SWITCH
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Remove the glove box from the instrument
panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/
GLOVE BOX - REMOVAL) for the procedures.
(3) Reach through the glove box opening and
behind the glove box lamp and switch mounting
bracket to access the instrument panel wire harness
connector on the glove box lamp and switch (Fig. 4).(4) Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness
connector from the connector receptacle on the back
of the glove box lamp and switch unit.
(5) Reach through the glove box opening and
behind the glove box lamp and switch mounting
bracket to depress the retaining tabs on the top and
bottom of the glove box lamp and switch housing.
(6) While holding the retaining tabs depressed,
push the glove box lamp and switch unit out through
the hole in the mounting bracket on the instrument
panel glove box opening upper reinforcement.
(7) Remove the glove box lamp and switch unit
from the instrument panel.
INSTALLATION
(1) Reach through the glove box opening and
behind the glove box lamp and switch mounting
bracket to feed the instrument panel wire harness
connectors out through the hole in the glove box
lamp and switch housing mounting bracket.
(2) Position the glove box lamp and switch unit to
the instrument panel.
(3) Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness
connector to the connector receptacle on the back of
the glove box lamp and switch unit.
(4) Push the glove box lamp and switch unit into
the hole in the mounting bracket on the instrument
panel glove box opening upper reinforcement.
Fig. 3 DOOR AJAR SWITCH REMOVE/INSTALL
1 - DOOR HINGE PILLAR
2 - DOOR AJAR SWITCH
3 - CONNECTOR
Fig. 4 Glove Box Lamp and Switch Remove/Install
1 - RETAINER
2 - WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR
3 - GLOVE BOX LAMP AND SWITCH
4 - MOUNTING BRACKET
BR/BELAMPS/LIGHTING - INTERIOR 8L - 35
DOOR AJAR SWITCH (Continued)

(5) Install the glove box onto the instrument panel.
(Refer to 23 - BODY/INSTRUMENT PANEL/GLOVE
BOX - INSTALLATION) for the procedures.
(6) Close the glove box.
(7) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
READING LAMP
DESCRIPTION
The overhead console in this vehicle is equipped
with two individual reading and courtesy lamps. The
lamp lenses are the only visible components of these
lamps. The reading and courtesy lamp lenses are
mounted in the overhead console housing between
the garage door opener storage bin and the sun-
glasses storage bin. Each lamp has its own switch,
bulb, reflector and lens; but both lamps share a com-
mon lamp housing within the overhead console.
The overhead console reading and courtesy lamps
operate on battery current that is provided at all
times, regardless of the ignition switch position. The
ground feed for the lamps is switched through the
integral reading and courtesy lamp switches or
through the door jamb switches. Each lamp is
designed and aimed to provide illumination that will
be directed only to that side of the vehicle on which
the lamp is located.
The reading and courtesy lamp lenses, bulbs and
the lamp housing and reflector unit are available for
service replacement. The reading and courtesy lamp
switches, bulb holders and wiring are only available
as part of the overhead console wire harness. If
either of the lamp switches or bulb holders is faulty
or damaged, the entire overhead console wire har-
ness assembly must be replaced.
For service of the reading and courtesy lamp bulbs,
refer to the appropriate wiring information. The wir-
ing information includes wiring diagrams, proper
wire and connector repair procedures, details of wire
harness routing and retention, connector pin-out
information and location views for the various wire
harness connectors, splices and grounds.
OPERATION
All reading and courtesy lamps located in the over-
head console are activated by the door jamb switches.
When all of the doors are closed, these lamps can be
individually activated by depressing the correspond-
ing lens. When any door is open, depressing the lamp
lenses to activate the lamp switches will not turn the
lamps off.
See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for
more information on the use and operation of the
overhead console reading and courtesy lamps.
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative
cable.
(2) Insert a long, narrow, flat-bladed tool between
the curved (outboard) edge of the reading and cour-
tesy lamp lens and the overhead console housing
(Fig. 5).
(3) Gently pry inward and downward against the
lens until the latch tab in the center of the outboard
edge of the reading and courtesy lamp lens is disen-
gaged from the overhead console housing.
(4) Pull firmly on the lens toward the outboard
side of the vehicle to disengage the two pivot tabs on
the inboard edge of the reading and courtesy lamp
lens are disengaged from the overhead console hous-
ing.
(5) Remove the reading and courtesy lamp lens
from the overhead console housing.
INSTALLATION
(1) Position the reading and courtesy lamp lens
onto the overhead console housing.
(2) Align the two pivot tabs on the inboard edge of
the reading and courtesy lamp lens with the two
pivot holes in the overhead console housing.
(3) Push firmly on the lens toward the inboard
side of the vehicle to insert the two pivot tabs on the
inboard edge of the reading and courtesy lamp lens
into the two pivot holes in the overhead console hous-
ing.
(4) Pivot the lens back up into position and press
upward firmly until the latch tab in the center of the
outboard edge of the reading and courtesy lamp lens
snaps back into the overhead console housing.
Fig. 5 Overhead Console Reading Lamp Bulb
Removal
1 - LENS
2 - FLAT BLADE
3 - CONSOLE
8L - 36 LAMPS/LIGHTING - INTERIORBR/BE
GLOVE BOX LAMP AND SWITCH (Continued)

(5) Reconnect the battery negative cable.
VANITY LAMP
REMOVAL
(1) Insert a flat blade into the slot at front of lens.
(2) Rotate blade until lens pops out of lamp.
(3) Remove lens from housing.(4) Remove bulb from lamp terminals.
INSTALLATION
(1) Install bulb into lamp terminals.
(2) Place one side of lens into housing.
(3) Insure dim control is in place, and snap lens
into housing.
BR/BELAMPS/LIGHTING - INTERIOR 8L - 37
READING LAMP (Continued)

MESSAGE SYSTEMS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
OVERHEAD CONSOLE
DESCRIPTION............................1
STANDARD PROCEDURE...................4
COMPASS CALIBRATION..................4
COMPASS VARIATION ADJUSTMENT........4
COMPASS DEMAGNETIZING...............5
REMOVAL...............................6
DISASSEMBLY............................7
ASSEMBLY..............................7
INSTALLATION............................8
SPECIAL TOOLS..........................8
COMPASS/MINI-TRIP COMPUTER
DESCRIPTION............................8OPERATION.............................9
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................10
COMPASS MINI-TRIP COMPUTER..........10
REMOVAL..............................11
INSTALLATION...........................11
AMBIENT TEMP SENSOR
DESCRIPTION...........................11
OPERATION.............................11
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING.................12
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE SENSOR........12
REMOVAL..............................12
INSTALLATION...........................13
OVERHEAD CONSOLE
DESCRIPTION
Two different overhead console units are available
factory-installed options on this model, base or pre-
mium. The base overhead console unit features a
garage door opener storage bin, a sunglasses storage
bin and two reading and courtesy lamps. The pre-
mium overhead console has all of the features of the
base unit, but adds a compass mini-trip computer.
See the owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for
more information on the features, use and operation
of all of the overhead console components and sys-
tems. Refer toOverhead Consolein the Contents of
Wiring Diagrams for complete circuit diagrams.
The premium overhead console (Fig. 1) includes
two front-mounted reading and courtesy lamps, a
garage door opener storage bin, and a sunglasses
storage bin. The premium overhead console includes
a compass mini-trip computer. The base overhead
console uses the same overhead console housing, but
has a computer cover plug installed in place of the
compass mini-trip computer display module lens and
push buttons.
The rear of the overhead console is secured to two
rear mounting holes in the inner roof panel by two
plastic hook formations that are integral to the over-
head console housing. The front of the overhead con-
sole is secured to the two front mounting holes of the
inner roof panel by two plastic latches that are inte-
gral to the overhead console housing. A single electri-
cal connection joins the overhead console wireharness to the roof wire harness for both the base
and premium overhead console units.
Following are general descriptions of the major
components used in the overhead console. See the
owner's manual in the vehicle glove box for more
information on the use and operation of the various
overhead console features.
GARAGE DOOR OPENER STORAGE BIN
A compartment near the front of the overhead con-
sole is designed to hold most garage door opener
remote control transmitters. The transmitter is
mounted within the compartment with an adhesive-
backed hook and loop fastener patch and, when the
compartment is closed, a push button in the center of
the compartment door is depressed to actuate the
transmitter.
A transmitter mounting kit including the adhesive-
backed hook and loop fastener material is available
for service. The garage door opener storage bin door
and the push button with three assorted length
adapter pegs are also available for service replace-
ment.
The garage door opener storage compartment door
is opened by pressing the integral latch towards the
front of the vehicle. When the compartment door is
opened, the push button unit is removed from the
compartment by squeezing the latch tabs and pulling
the unit downward. With the push button removed,
the garage door opener can be installed in the com-
partment using the adhesive-backed hook and loop
fastener material provided.
BR/BEMESSAGE SYSTEMS 8M - 1

Fig. 1 Overhead Console
8M - 2 MESSAGE SYSTEMSBR/BE
OVERHEAD CONSOLE (Continued)

With the transmitter mounted in the storage bin,
adapter pegs located on the garage door opener push
button unit are selected and mounted on one of two
posts on the back side of the push button. The com-
bination of the adapter peg length and the push but-
ton post location must be suitable to depress the
button of the transmitter when the push button in
the center of the garage door opener storage bin door
is depressed. When the proper combination has been
selected, the push button is reinstalled in the com-
partment and the compartment door is closed.
SUNGLASS STORAGE BIN
A sunglasses storage bin is included in the over-
head console. The storage bin is located near the rear
of the overhead console and is held in the closed posi-
tion by a latch that is integral to the storage bin
door. The interior of the bin is lined with a foam rub-
ber padding material to protect the sunglasses from
being scratched. Dampening springs that are located
on the back of the overhead console reading and
courtesy lamp housing contact the hinges of the sun-
glasses storage bin for a smooth opening action.
The sunglasses storage bin and door unit is avail-
able for service replacement. The hinge dampening
springs are serviced as a unit with the overhead con-
sole reading and courtesy lamp housing.
The sunglasses storage bin is opened by pressing
the latch on the rear edge of the door towards the
front of the vehicle, then pulling the bin downward to
the open position. The integral latch on the sun-
glasses bin door will automatically engage when the
bin is closed. See the owner's manual in the vehicle
glove box for more information on the use and oper-
ation of the sunglasses storage bin.
COMPASS
While in the compass/temperature mode, the com-
pass will display the direction in which the vehicle is
pointed using the eight major compass headings
(Examples: north is N, northeast is NE), along with
the outside ambient temperature. When the compass
unit is placed in the compass/compass in degreesmode, the compass will display the direction the
vehicle is heading using the eight major compass
headings and in degrees (0 to 359 degrees). North is
0 degrees, East is 90 degrees, South is 180 degrees
and West is 270 degrees. It will not display the head-
ings in minutes or seconds.
The self-calibrating compass unit requires no
adjusting in normal use. The compass unit will com-
pensate for magnetism the body of the vehicle may
acquire during normal use. However, avoid placing
anything magnetic directly on the roof of the vehicle.
Magnetic mounts for an antenna, a repair order hat,
or a funeral procession flag can exceed the compen
sating ability of the compass unit if placed on the
roof panel. If the vehicle roof should become magne-
tized, the demagnetizing and calibration procedures
found in this group may be required to restore proper
compass operation.
THERMOMETER
The thermometer displays the outside ambient
temperature in whole degrees. The temperature dis-
play can be changed from Fahrenheit to Celsius
using the U.S./Metric push button. The displayed
temperature is not an instant reading of conditions,
but an average temperature. It may take the ther-
mometer display several minutes to respond to a
major temperature change, such as driving out of a
heated garage into winter temperatures.
When the ignition switch is turned to the Off posi-
tion, the last displayed temperature reading stays in
the thermometer unit memory. When the ignition
switch is turned to the On position again, the ther-
mometer will display the memory temperature if the
engine coolant temperature is above about 43É C
(109É F). If the engine coolant temperature is below
about 43É C (109É F), the thermometer will display
the actual temperature sensed by the ambient tem-
perature sensor. The thermometer temperature dis-
play update interval varies with the vehicle speed;
therefore, if the temperature reading seems inaccu-
rate, drive the vehicle for at least three minutes
1 - SUNGLASSES STORAGE BIN
2 - GARAGE DOOR OPENER STORAGE BIN DOOR
3 - COMPUTER LENS OR COVER PLUG
4 - HOOK AND LOOP FASTENER
5 - SECURITY INDICATOR LAMP
6 - COMPASS MINI-TRIP COMPUTER MODULE
7 - SCREW (3)
8 - SCREW (4)
9 - BULB HOLDERS
10 - SWITCHES11 - WIRE HARNESS
12 - SPRINGS (2)
13 - READING AND COURTESY LAMP HOUSING
14 - REFLECTORS
15 - OVERHEAD CONSOLE HOUSING
16 - LENSES
17 - BUMPER
18 - GARAGE DOOR OPENER PUSH BUTTON
BR/BEMESSAGE SYSTEMS 8M - 3
OVERHEAD CONSOLE (Continued)

while maintaining a speed of 48 kilometers-per-hour
(30 miles-per-hour) or higher.
The thermometer function is supported by an
ambient temperature sensor. The sensor is mounted
outside the passenger compartment near the front
and center of the vehicle, and is hard wired to the
module. The ambient temperature sensor is available
as a separate service item.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - COMPASS
CALIBRATION
CAUTION: Do not place any external magnets, such
as magnetic roof mount antennas, in the vicinity of
the compass. Do not use magnetic tools when ser-
vicing the overhead console.
The electronic compass unit features a self-cali-
brating design, which simplifies the calibration pro-
cedure. This feature automatically updates the
compass calibration while the vehicle is being driven.
This allows the compass unit to compensate for small
changes in the residual magnetism that the vehicle
may acquire during normal use. If the compass read-
ings appear to be erratic or out of calibration, per-
form the following calibration procedure. Also, new
service replacement compass mini-trip computer
modules must have their compass calibrated using
this procedure. Do not attempt to calibrate the com-
pass near large metal objects such as other vehicles,
large buildings, or bridges; or, near overhead or
underground power lines.
(1) Start the engine. If the compass/temperature
data is not currently being displayed, momentarily
depress and release the Step push button to step
through the display options until you have reached
the compass/temperature display.
(2) Depress both the U.S./Metric and the Step
push buttons at the same time for more than six sec-
onds, until ªCALº appears in the display, then release
both push buttons. The ªCALº in the display indi-
cates that the compass is in the calibration mode.
(3) Drive the vehicle on a level surface, at least
fifty feet away from large metal objects and power
lines, in all four compass directions, such as driving
around a city block several times or driving in two to
three complete circles at a slow to medium speed.
(4) When the calibration is successfully completed,
ªCALº will disappear from the display and normal
compass mini-trip computer operation will resume.
NOTE: If the ªCALº message remains in the display,
either there is excessive magnetism near the com-
pass, or the unit is faulty. Repeat the calibration
procedure at least one more time.NOTE: If the wrong direction is still indicated in the
compass display, the area selected for calibration
may be too close to a strong magnetic field. Repeat
the calibration procedure in another location.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - COMPASS
VARIATION ADJUSTMENT
Compass variance, also known as magnetic decli-
nation, is the difference in angle between magnetic
north and true geographic north. In some geographic
locations, the difference between magnetic and geo-
graphic north is great enough to cause the compass
to give false readings. If this problem occurs, the
compass variance must be set. There are two meth-
ods that can be used to enter this information into
the compass mini-trip computer module. They are
the zone method and the direct method.
ZONE METHOD
(1) Using the Variance Settings map, find your
geographic location and note the zone number (Fig.
2).
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the On position. If
the compass/temperature data is not currently being
displayed, momentarily depress and release the Step
push button to step through the display options until
you have reached the compass/temperature display.
(3) Depress both the U.S./Metric and the Step
push buttons at the same time and hold them down
for more than 100 milliseconds, but not more than
one second. The compass mini-trip computer will
enter the variation adjustment mode and ªVARº
along with the current variance zone will appear in
the display.
(4) Momentarily depress and release the Step push
button to step through the zone numbers, until the
zone number for your geographic location appears in
the display.
(5) After five seconds, the displayed zone will auto-
matically be set in the compass mini-trip computer
module memory and normal operation will resume.
(6) Confirm that the correct directions are now
indicated by the compass.
DIRECT METHOD
(1) Turn the vehicle so it is headed in either the
north or south direction. The vehicle must be headed
within 45 degrees of north or south for this procedure
to work. The vehicle may be moving or stationary.
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the On position. If
the compass/temperature data is not currently being
displayed, momentarily depress and release the Step
push button to step through the display options until
you have reached the compass/temperature display.
8M - 4 MESSAGE SYSTEMSBR/BE
OVERHEAD CONSOLE (Continued)

(3) Depress both the U.S./Metric and the Step
push buttons at the same time and hold them down
for more than 100 milliseconds, but not more than
one second. The compass mini-trip computer will
enter the variation adjustment mode and ªVARº
along with the current variance zone will appear in
the display.
(4) Within the next five seconds, momentarily
depress and release the U.S./Metric push button. The
variance zone will automatically be set in the com-
pass mini-trip computer module memory and normal
operation will resume.
(5) If the ªVARº in the display flashes twice before
the compass mini-trip computer module resumes nor-
mal operation, the new variance zone setting was not
accepted. Reorient the vehicle so it is headed within
45 degrees of north or south and repeat this proce-
dure.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - COMPASS
DEMAGNETIZING
A degaussing tool (Special Tool 6029) is used to
demagnetize, or degauss, the overhead console for-
ward mounting screw and the roof panel above the
overhead console. Equivalent units must be rated as
continuous duty for 110/115 volts and 60 Hz. They
must also have a field strength of over 350 gauss at 7
millimeters (0.25 inch) beyond the tip of the probe.
To demagnetize the roof panel and the overhead
console forward mounting screw, proceed as follows:(1) Be certain that the ignition switch is in the Off
position, before you begin the demagnetizing proce-
dure.
(2) Connect the degaussing tool to an electrical
outlet, while keeping the tool at least 61 centimeters
(2 feet) away from the compass unit.
(3) Slowly approach the head of the overhead con-
sole forward mounting screw with the degaussing
tool connected.
(4) Contact the head of the screw with the plastic
coated tip of the degaussing tool for about two sec-
onds.
(5) With the degaussing tool still energized, slowly
back it away from the screw. When the tip of the tool
is at least 61 centimeters (2 feet) from the screw
head, disconnect the tool.
(6) Place a piece of paper approximately 22 by 28
centimeters (8.5 by 11 inches), oriented on the vehicle
lengthwise from front to rear, on the center line of
the roof at the windshield header (Fig. 3). The pur-
pose of the paper is to protect the roof panel from
scratches, and to define the area to be demagnetized.
(7) Connect the degaussing tool to an electrical
outlet, while keeping the tool at least 61 centimeters
(2 feet) away from the compass unit.
(8) Slowly approach the center line of the roof
panel at the windshield header, with the degaussing
tool connected.
(9) Contact the roof panel with the plastic coated
tip of the degaussing tool. Be sure that the template
Fig. 2 Variance Settings
BR/BEMESSAGE SYSTEMS 8M - 5
OVERHEAD CONSOLE (Continued)