DODGE RAM 2003 Service Repair Manual

GROUP TAB LOCATOR
Introduction
0Lubrication & Maintenance
2Suspension
3Differential & Driveline
5Brakes
6Clutch
7Cooling
8AAudio
8BChime/Buzzer
8EElectronic Control Modules
8FEngine Systems
8GHeated Systems
8HHorn
8IIgnition Control
8JInstrument Cluster
8LLamps
8MMessage Systems
8NPower Systems
8ORestraints
8PSpeed Control
8QVehicle Theft Security
8RWipers/Washers
8WWiring
9Engine
11Exhaust System
13Frame & Bumpers
14Fuel System
19Steering
21Transmission and Transfer Case
22Tires/Wheels
23Body
24Heating & Air Conditioning
25Emissions Control
Component and System Index
Service Manual Comment Forms (Rear of Manual)

INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page page
VEHICLE SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABEL
DESCRIPTION..........................1
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
DESCRIPTION..........................2
VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION
(VECI)
DESCRIPTION..........................3
BODY CODE PLATE
DESCRIPTION..........................4
INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE CONTROL &
DISPLAY SYMBOLS
DESCRIPTION - INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS . . . 6FASTENER IDENTIFICATION
DESCRIPTION..........................6
FASTENER USAGE
DESCRIPTION - FASTENER USAGE.........9
THREADED HOLE REPAIR
DESCRIPTION - THREADED HOLE REPAIR....9
METRIC SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION..........................9
TORQUE REFERENCES
DESCRIPTION.........................11
VEHICLE SAFETY
CERTIFICATION LABEL
DESCRIPTION
A vehicle safety certification label (Fig. 1) is
attached to every DaimlerChrysler Corporation vehi-
cle. The label certifies that the vehicle conforms to all
applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
The label also lists:
²Month and year of vehicle manufacture.
²Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The gross
front and rear axle weight ratings (GAWR's) are
based on a minimum rim size and maximum cold tire
inflation pressure.
²Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
²Type of vehicle.
²Type of rear wheels.
²Bar code.
²Month, Day and Hour (MDH) of final assembly.
²Paint and Trim codes.
²Country of origin.
The label is located on the driver-side door shut-
face.
Fig. 1 VEHICLE SAFETY CERTIFICATION LABEL -
TYPICAL
DRINTRODUCTION 1

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
VIN CODING/LOCATIONS
The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) plate is
located on the lower windshield fence near the left
a-pillar (Fig. 2). The VIN contains 17 characters that
provide data concerning the vehicle. Refer to the VIN
decoding chart to determine the identification of a
vehicle.
The VIN is also imprinted on the:
²Body Code Plate.
²Equipment Identification Plate.
²Vehicle Safety Certification Label.
²Frame rail.
To protect the consumer from theft and possible
fraud the manufacturer is required to include a
Check Digit at the ninth position of the VIN. The
check digit is used by the manufacturer and govern-
ment agencies to verify the authenticity of the vehi-cle and official documentation. The formula to use
the check digit is not released to the general public.
POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION
1 Country of Origin 1 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler Corporation
3 = Manufactured By DaimlerChrysler De Mexico
2 Make D = Dodge
3 Vehicle Type 2 = Incomplete with Side Airbag
3 = Truck with Side Airbag
6 = Incomplete Less Side Airbag
7 = Truck Less Side Airbag
4 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating G = 5,001-6000 lbs.
H = 6,001-7,000 lbs.
J = 7,001-8,000 lbs.
K = 8,001-9,000 lbs.
L = 9,001-10,000 lbs.
M = 10,001-14,000 lbs.
W = Buses/Incomplete Vehicles with Hydraulic Brakes
5 Vehicle Line A = Ram Pickup 4X2
U = Ram Pickup 4X4
6 Series 1 = 1500
2 = 2500
3 = 3500 Less Dual Rear Wheels
4 = 3500 With Dual Rear Wheels
7 Body Style 6 = Conventional Cab
8 = Quad Cab Full Rear Doors
Fig. 2 VIN LOCATION
1 - DASH PANEL
2 - VIN CODE PLATE
2 INTRODUCTIONDR

POSITION INTERPRETATION CODE = DESCRIPTION
8 Engine K = 3.7L 6 cyl. MPI Gasoline
N = 4.7L 8 cyl. MPI Gasoline
D = 5.7L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline
6 = 5.9L 6 cyl. Turbo Diesel
C = 5.9L 6 cyl. Turbo Diesel High Output
W = 8.0L 10 cyl. MPI Gasoline
Z = 5.9L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline Light Duty
9 Check Digit 0 through 9 or X
10 Model Year 3 = 2003
11 Plant Location S = Dodge City
G = Saltillo
J = St. Louis (North)
12 thru 17 Vehicle Build Sequence
VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL
INFORMATION (VECI)
DESCRIPTION
All models have a Vehicle Emission Control Infor-
mation (VECI) Label. DaimlerChrysler permanently
attaches the label in the engine compartment (Fig.
3). The label cannot be removed without defacing
label information and destroying label.
The label contains the vehicle's emission specifica-
tions and vacuum hose routings. All hoses must be
connected and routed according to the label.
The label also contains an engine vacuum sche-
matic. There are unique labels for vehicles built for
sale in the state of California and the country of
Canada. Canadian labels are written in both the
English and French languages.
The VECI label contains the following:
²Engine family and displacement
²Evaporative family
²Emission control system schematic
²Certification application
²Engine timing specifications (if adjustable)
²Idle speeds (if adjustable)
²Spark plug and gap
Fig. 3 VEHICLE EMISSIONS CERTIFICATION
INFORMATION LABEL
1 - VECI LABEL LOCATION
2 - RADIATOR SUPPORT
DRINTRODUCTION 3
VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (Continued)

BODY CODE PLATE
DESCRIPTION
The Body Code Plate (Fig. 5) is located on the right
front hydroform fender rail just behind the headlight
assembly (Fig. 4). There are seven lines of informa-
tion on the body code plate. Lines 5, 6, and 7 are not
used to define service information. Information reads
from left to right, starting with line 4 in the center of
the plate to line 1 at the bottom of the plate.
The last code imprinted on a vehicle code plate will
be followed by the imprinted word END. When two
vehicle code plates are required, the last available
spaces on the first plate will be imprinted with the
letters CTD (for continued).
When a second vehicle code plate is necessary, the
first four spaces on each row will not be used because
of the plate overlap.
BODY CODE PLATEÐLINE 4
DIGITS 1 THROUGH 12
Vehicle Order Number
DIGITS 13, 14, AND 15
Transmission Codes
²DGT = 4±speed Automatic (46RE)
²DG4 = 4±speed Automatic (45RFE)
²DGP = 4±speed Automatic (47RE)
²DG8 = 4±speed Automatic (48RE)
²DDC = 5±speed Manual (NV3500)
²DDP = 5±speed Manual (NV4500)
²DEE = 6±speed Manual (NV5600)
DIGITS 16, 17, AND 18
Car Line Shell
²DR1=15004X2
²DR6=15004X4
²DR2=25004X2
²DR7=25004X4
²DR3=35004X2
²DR8=35004X4
Fig. 4 BODY CODE PLATE LOCATION
1 - FENDER
2 - RADIATOR CROSSMEMBER
3 - HYDROFORM FENDER RAIL
4 - RIVOT (2)
5 - BODY CODE PLATE
Fig. 5 BODY CODE PLATE
1 - PRIMARY PAINT
2 - SECONDARY PAINT
3 - TRANSMISSION CODE
4 - VEHICLE MODEL NUMBER
5 - ENGINE CODE
6 - INTERIOR TRIM CODE
7 - VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
8 - TAILGATE CODE
9 - CARGO BOX CODE
10 - TAILGATE TRIM CODE
11 - BODY-IN-WHITE SEQUENCE
12 - MARKET CODE
13 - SPECIES CODE
14 - PAINT PROCEDURE
15 - VEHICLE ORDER NUMBER
4 INTRODUCTIONDR

DIGIT 19
Price Class
²L = Low
²H = Highline
DIGITS 20 AND 21
Body Type
²41 = Ram Truck Quad Cab, Short Box
²42 = Ram Truck Quad Cab, Long Box
²61 = Ram Truck Standard Cab, Short Box
²62 = Ram Truck Standard Cab, Long Box
BODY CODE PLATEÐLINE 3
DIGITS 1,2, AND 3
Paint Procedure
²APA = Monotone
²AP9 = Special
²APD = Two-tone (Lower break)
DIGIT 4
Open Space
DIGITS 5 THROUGH 8
Primary Paint
(Refer to 23 - BODY/PAINT - SPECIFICATIONS)
for color codes.
DIGIT 9
Open Space
DIGITS 10 THROUGH 13
Secondary Paint
DIGIT 14
Open Space
DIGITS 15 THROUGH 18
Interior Trim Code
DIGIT 19
Open Space
DIGITS 20, 21, AND 22
Engine Code
²EKG = 3.7 L 6 cyl. MPI Gasoline
²EVA = 4.7 L 8 cyl. MPI Gasoline
²EZA = 5.7 L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline
²EML = 5.9 L 8 cyl. SMPI Gasoline
²ETC = 5.9 L 6 cyl. Cummins Turbo Diesel
²ETH = 5.9 L 6 cyl. Cummins Turbo Diesel High
Output
²EWA = 8.0 L 10 cyl. MPI Gasoline
BODY CODE PLATEÐLINE 2
DIGIT 1 Open Space
DIGITS 2 AND 3 Species Code. (Used for Manufacturing)
DIGIT 4
Open Space
DIGIT 5
Market Code
²B = International
²C = Canada
²M = Mexico
²U = United States
DIGIT 6
Open Space
DIGITS 7 THROUGH 23
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
(Refer to VEHICLE DATA/VEHICLE INFORMA-
TION/VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER -
DESCRIPTION) for proper breakdown of VIN code.
BODY CODE PLATEÐLINE 1
DIGITS 1 THROUGH 6 Body-in-white assembly sequence.
DIGIT 7
Open Space
DIGIT 8 Tailgate trim code.
DIGIT 9
Open Space
DIGITS 10 THROUGH 12 Cargo box code
DIGIT 13
Open Space
DIGITS 14 THROUGH 16 Tailgate code
DRINTRODUCTION 5
BODY CODE PLATE (Continued)

INTERNATIONAL VEHICLE
CONTROL & DISPLAY
SYMBOLS
DESCRIPTION - INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS
The graphic symbols illustrated in the following
International Control and Display Symbols Chart are
used to identify various instrument controls. The
symbols correspond to the controls and displays that
are located on the instrument panel.
FASTENER IDENTIFICATION
DESCRIPTION
The SAE bolt strength grades range from grade 2
to grade 8. The higher the grade number, the greater
the bolt strength. Identification is determined by the
line marks on the top of each bolt head. The actual
bolt strength grade corresponds to the number of line
marks plus 2. The most commonly used metric bolt
strength classes are 9.8 and 10.9. The metric
strength class identification number is imprinted on
the head of the bolt. The higher the class number,
the greater the bolt strength. Some metric nuts are
imprinted with a single-digit strength class on the
nut face. Refer to the Fastener Identification and
Fastener Strength Charts (Fig. 6) and (Fig. 7).
INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS
1 High Beam 13 Rear Window Washer
2 Fog Lamps 14 Fuel
3 Headlamp, Parking Lamps, Panel Lamps 15 Engine Coolant Temperature
4 Turn Warning 16 Battery Charging Condition
5 Hazard Warning 17 Engine Oil
6 Windshield Washer 18 Seat Belt
7 Windshield Wiper 19 Brake Failure
8 Windshield Wiper and Washer 20 Parking Brake
9 Windscreen Demisting and Defrosting 21 Front Hood
10 Ventilating Fan 22 Rear hood (Decklid)
11 Rear Window Defogger 23 Horn
12 Rear Window Wiper 24 Lighter
6 INTRODUCTIONDR

Fig. 6 FASTENER IDENTIFICATION
DRINTRODUCTION 7
FASTENER IDENTIFICATION (Continued)

Fig. 7 FASTENER STRENGTH
8 INTRODUCTIONDR
FASTENER IDENTIFICATION (Continued)

FASTENER USAGE
DESCRIPTION - FASTENER USAGE
WARNING: USE OF AN INCORRECT FASTENER
MAY RESULT IN COMPONENT DAMAGE OR PER-
SONAL INJURY.
Fasteners and torque specifications references in
this Service Manual are identified in metric and SAE
format.
During any maintenance or repair procedures, it is
important to salvage all fasteners (nuts, bolts, etc.)
for reassembly. If the fastener is not salvageable, a
fastener of equivalent specification must be used.
THREADED HOLE REPAIR
DESCRIPTION - THREADED HOLE REPAIR
Most stripped threaded holes can be repaired using
a Helicoilt. Follow the vehicle or Helicoiltrecommen-
dations for application and repair procedures.
METRIC SYSTEM
DESCRIPTION
The metric system is based on quantities of one,
ten, one hundred, one thousand and one million.
The following chart will assist in converting metric
units to equivalent English and SAE units, or vise
versa.
CONVERSION FORMULAS AND EQUIVALENT VALUES
MULTIPLY BY TO GET MULTIPLY BY TO GET
in-lbs x 0.11298 = Newton Meters
(N´m)N´m x 8.851 = in-lbs
ft-lbs x 1.3558 = Newton Meters
(N´m)N´m x 0.7376 = ft-lbs
Inches Hg (60É F) x 3.377 = Kilopascals (kPa) kPa x 0.2961 = Inches Hg
psi x 6.895 = Kilopascals (kPa) kPa x 0.145 = psi
Inches x 25.4 = Millimeters (mm) mm x 0.03937 = Inches
Feet x 0.3048 = Meters (M) M x 3.281 = Feet
Yards x 0.9144 = Meters M x 1.0936 = Yards
mph x 1.6093 = Kilometers/Hr.
(Km/h)Km/h x 0.6214 = mph
Feet/Sec x 0.3048 = Meters/Sec (M/S) M/S x 3.281 = Feet/Sec
mph x 0.4470 = Meters/Sec (M/S) M/S x 2.237 = mph
Kilometers/Hr.
(Km/h)x 0.27778 = Meters/Sec (M/S) M/S x 3.600 Kilometers/Hr.
(Km/h)
COMMON METRIC EQUIVALENTS
1 inch = 25 Millimeters 1 Cubic Inch = 16 Cubic Centimeters
1 Foot = 0.3 Meter 1 Cubic Foot = 0.03 Cubic Meter
1 Yard = 0.9 Meter 1 Cubic Yard = 0.8 Cubic Meter
1 Mile = 1.6 Kilometers
Refer to the Metric Conversion Chart to convert
torque values listed in metric Newton- meters (N´m).
Also, use the chart to convert between millimeters
(mm) and inches (in.) (Fig. 8).
DRINTRODUCTION 9