ECU RAM 1500 2021 Repair Manual

SAFETY369
SAFETY TIPS
TRANSPORTING PASSENGERS
NEVER TRANSPORT PASSENGERS IN THE
CARGO AREA.
TRANSPORTING PETS
Air Bags deploying in the front seat could harm
your pet. An unrestrained pet will be thrown
about and possibly injured, or injure a
passenger during panic braking or in a collision.
Pets should be restrained in the rear seat (if
equipped) in pet harnesses or pet carriers that
are secured by seat belts.
SAFETY CHECKS YOU SHOULD MAKE
I
NSIDE THE VEHICLE
Seat Belts
Inspect the seat belt system periodically,
checking for cuts, frays, and loose parts.
Damaged parts must be replaced immediately.
Do not disassemble or modify the system.
Front seat belt assemblies must be replaced
after a collision. Rear seat belt assemblies must
be replaced after a collision if they have been
damaged (i.e., bent retractor, torn webbing,
etc.). If there is any question regarding seat belt
or retractor condition, replace the seat belt.
Air Bag Warning Light
The Air Bag Warning Light will turn on for four
to eight seconds as a bulb check when the
ignition switch is first placed in the ON/RUN
position. If the light is either not on during
starting, stays on, or turns on while driving, have
the system inspected at an authorized dealer as
soon as possible. After the bulb check, this light
will illuminate with a single chime when a fault
with the Air Bag System has been detected. It
will stay on until the fault is removed. If the light
comes on intermittently or remains on while
driving, have an authorized dealer service the
vehicle immediately.
See Ú page 334 for further information.
Defroster
Check operation by selecting the defrost mode
and place the blower control on high speed. You
should be able to feel the air directed against
the windshield. See an authorized dealer for
service if your defroster is inoperable.
WARNING!
Do not leave children or animals inside
parked vehicles in hot weather. Interior
heat build-up may cause serious injury or
death.
It is extremely dangerous to ride in a cargo
area, inside or outside of a vehicle. In a
collision, people riding in these areas are
more likely to be seriously injured or killed.
Do not allow people to ride in any area of
your vehicle that is not equipped with seats
and seat belts.
Be sure everyone in your vehicle is in a seat
and using a seat belt properly.
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370SAFETY
(Continued)
(Continued)
Floor Mat Safety Information
Always use floor mats designed to fit your
vehicle. Only use a floor mat that does not
interfere with the operation of the accelerator,
brake or clutch pedals. Only use a floor mat that
is securely attached using the floor mat
fasteners so it cannot slip out of position and
interfere with the accelerator, brake or clutch
pedals or impair safe operation of your vehicle
in other ways.
WARNING!
An improperly attached, damaged, folded, or
stacked floor mat, or damaged floor mat
fasteners may cause your floor mat to
interfere with the accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals and cause a loss of vehicle control. To
prevent SERIOUS INJURY or DEATH:
ALWAYS securely attach your floor mat
using the floor mat fasteners. DO NOT
install your floor mat upside down or turn
your floor mat over. Lightly pull to confirm
mat is secured using the floor mat
fasteners on a regular basis.
ALWAYS REMOVE THE EXISTING FLOOR
MAT FROM THE VEHICLE before
installing any other floor mat. NEVER install
or stack an additional floor mat on top of an
existing floor mat.
ONLY install floor mats designed to fit your
vehicle. NEVER install a floor mat that
cannot be properly attached and secured to
your vehicle. If a floor mat needs to be
replaced, only use a FCA approved floor
mat for the specific make, model, and year
of your vehicle.
ONLY use the driver’s side floor mat on the
driver’s side floor area. To check for inter
-
ference, with the vehicle properly parked
with the engine off, fully depress the accel -
erator, the brake, and the clutch pedal (if
present) to check for interference. If your
floor mat interferes with the operation of
any pedal, or is not secure to the floor,
remove the floor mat from the vehicle and
place the floor mat in your trunk.
ONLY use the passenger’s side floor mat on
the passenger’s side floor area.
WARNING! (Continued)
ALWAYS make sure objects cannot fall or
slide into the driver’s side floor area when
the vehicle is moving. Objects can become
trapped under accelerator, brake, or clutch
pedals and could cause a loss of vehicle
control.
NEVER place any objects under the floor
mat (e.g., towels, keys, etc.). These objects
could change the position of the floor mat
and may cause interference with the accel -
erator, brake, or clutch pedals.
If the vehicle carpet has been removed and
re-installed, always properly attach carpet
to the floor and check the floor mat
fasteners are secure to the vehicle carpet.
Fully depress each pedal to check for inter -
ference with the accelerator, brake, or
clutch pedals then re-install the floor mats.
It is recommended to only use mild soap
and water to clean your floor mats. After
cleaning, always check your floor mat has
been properly installed and is secured to
your vehicle using the floor mat fasteners
by lightly pulling mat.
WARNING! (Continued)

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY381
(Continued)
6. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give clearance to tilt the retainer at the end of
the cable.

Tilting The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel

7. Pull the retainer through the center of the wheel.

Pulling The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel
NOTE:
The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the extension tubes only. Use of an air wrench
or other power tools is not recommended and
can damage the winch.
JACKING INSTRUCTIONS

Jack Warning Label

WARNING!
Carefully follow these tire changing warnings
to help prevent personal injury or damage to
your vehicle:
Always park on a firm, level surface as far
from the edge of the roadway as possible
before raising the vehicle.
Turn on the Hazard Warning Flashers.
Apply the parking brake firmly and set the
transmission in PARK.
Block the wheel diagonally opposite the
wheel to be raised.
Never start or run the engine with the
vehicle on a jack.
Do not let anyone sit in the vehicle when it
is on a jack.
Do not get under the vehicle when it is on a
jack. If you need to get under a raised
vehicle, take it to a service center where it
can be raised on a lift.
Only use the jack in the positions indicated
and for lifting this vehicle during a tire
change.
If working on or near a roadway, be
extremely careful of motor traffic.
To assure that spare tires, flat or inflated,
are securely stowed, spares must be
stowed with the valve stem facing the
ground.
WARNING!
(Continued)
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384IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
8. If your vehicle is equipped with a wheel
center cap, install the cap and remove the
wheel blocks. Do not install chrome or
aluminum wheel center caps on the spare
wheel. This may result in cap damage.
9. Lower the jack to its fully closed position. Stow the replaced tire, and secure the jack
and tools in the proper location.
10. Adjust the tire pressure when possible.
TO STOW THE FLAT OR SPARE

1. Turn the wheel so that the valve stem is facing upward and toward the rear of the
vehicle for convenience in checking the
spare tire inflation. Slide the wheel retainer
through the center of the wheel.

Reinstalling The Retainer
2. Lift the spare tire with one hand to give
clearance to tilt the retainer at the end of
the cable and position it properly across the
wheel opening.

Pushing The Retainer Through The Center Of The Wheel And Positioning It

WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a
collision or hard stop, could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack
parts and the spare tire in the places
provided.WARNING!
A loose tire or jack thrown forward in a
collision or hard stop could endanger the
occupants of the vehicle. Always stow the jack
parts and the spare tire in the places
provided. Have the deflated (flat) tire repaired
or replaced immediately.

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY385
3. Remove the extension with the hook and
reattach the short extension 5. Attach the
lug wrench to the extension tubes with the
curved angle facing away from the vehicle
Úpage 378. Insert the extension tubes
through the access hole between the lower
tailgate and the top of the fascia/bumper
and into the winch mechanism tube.

Reinstalling The Flat Or Spare Tire

4. Rotate the lug wrench handle clockwise until the wheel is drawn into place against
the underside of the vehicle. Continue to
rotate until you feel the winch mechanism
slip, or click three or four times. It cannot be
overtightened. Push against the tire several
times to ensure it is firmly in place.
Rotating The Lug Wrench Handle

NOTE:
The winch mechanism is designed for use with
the extension tube only. Use of an air wrench or
other power tools is not recommended and can
damage the winch.
REINSTALLING THE JACK AND TOOLS

1. Tighten the jack all the way down by turning the jack turn-screw counter -
clockwise until the jack is snug.

2. Position the jack and tool bag. Make sure the lug wrench is under the jack near the
jack turn-screw.
Jack And Tool Bag

3. Secure the tool bag straps to the jack.

Jack And Tools Tied

4. Place the jack and tools in the storage position holding the jack by the jack
turn-screw, slip the jack and tools under the
seat so that the bottom slot engages into
the fastener on the floor.
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386IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
NOTE:
Ensure that the jack slides into the front hold
down location.
5. Turn the wing bolt clockwise to secure to the
floor pan. Reinstall the plastic cover.

Jack Hold Down Wing Bolt
JUMP STARTING
If your vehicle has a discharged battery, it can
be jump started using a set of jumper cables
and a battery in another vehicle, or by using a
portable battery booster pack. Jump starting
can be dangerous if done improperly, so please
follow the procedures in this section carefully.
NOTE:
When using a portable battery booster pack,
follow the manufacturer's operating instruc -
tions and precautions.
PREPARATIONS FOR JUMP START
The battery in your vehicle is located in the front
of the engine compartment, behind the left
headlight assembly.

Battery Location

NOTE:
The positive battery post may be covered with a
protective cap. Lift up on the cap to gain access
to the positive battery post. Do not jump off
fuses. Only jump directly off positive post which
has a positive (+) symbol on or around the post.
WARNING!
After using the jack and tools, always reinstall
them in the original carrier and location.
While driving you may experience abrupt
stopping, rapid acceleration or sharp turns. A
loose jack, tools, bracket or other objects in
the vehicle may move around with force,
resulting in serious injury.
WARNING!
Do not attempt jump starting if the battery is
frozen. It could rupture or explode and cause
personal injury.
CAUTION!
Do not use a portable battery booster pack or
any other booster source with a system
voltage greater than 12 Volts or damage to
the battery, starter motor, alternator or
electrical system may occur.

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390IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
MANUAL PARK RELEASE
In order to move the vehicle in cases where the
transmission will not shift out of PARK (P) (such
as a depleted battery), a Manual Park Release
is available.
Follow these steps to activate the Manual Park
Release:

1. Apply firm pressure to the brake pedal
while seated in the driver’s seat.

2. Apply the parking brake if possible. 3. Using a small screwdriver or similar tool,
open the Manual Park Release cover, which
is located to the lower left of the steering
column.

Manual Park Release Access Cover

4. Behind the Manual Park Release access cover is the orange tether strap. Pull the
tether strap out as far as it will go, then
release it. The tether and lever will remain
outside of the trim panel and the
transmission should now be in NEUTRAL,
allowing the vehicle to be moved.
Manual Park Release Tether

To Reset The Manual Park Release:

1. Apply firm pressure to the brake pedal while seated in the driver’s seat.

2. Pull the tether strap out again, then release it.
WARNING!
Always secure your vehicle by fully applying
the parking brake before activating the
Manual Park Release. In addition, you should
be seated in the driver’s seat with your foot
firmly on the brake pedal when activating the
Manual Park Release. Activating the Manual
Park Release will allow your vehicle to roll
away if it is not secured by the parking brake,
or by proper connection to a tow vehicle.
Activating the Manual Park Release on an
unsecured vehicle could lead to serious injury
or death for those in or around the vehicle.

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY393
(Continued)
Proper towing or lifting equipment is required to
prevent damage to your vehicle. Use only tow
bars and other equipment designed for this
purpose, following equipment FCA’s
instructions. Use of safety chains is mandatory.
Attach a tow bar or other towing device to main
structural members of the vehicle, not to
fascia/bumpers or associated brackets. State
and local laws regarding vehicles under tow
must be observed.
If you must use the accessories (wipers,
defrosters, etc.) while being towed, the ignition
must be in the ON/RUN mode, not the ACC
mode.
If the key fob is unavailable or the vehicle's
battery is discharged, find Instructions on
shifting the transmission out of PARK
Ú page 390.TWO-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
FCA recommends towing your vehicle with all
four wheels OFF the ground using a flatbed.
If flatbed equipment is not available, and the
transmission is operable, the vehicle may be
towed (with rear wheels on the ground) under
the following conditions:
The transmission must be in NEUTRAL (N).
Instructions on shifting the transmission to
NEUTRAL (N) when the engine is off
Ú page 390.
The towing speed must not exceed 30 mph
(48 km/h).
The towing distance must not exceed
30 miles (48 km).
If the transmission is not operable, or the
vehicle must be towed faster than 30 mph
(48 km/h) and farther than 30 miles (48 km), tow with the rear wheels OFF the ground.
Acceptable methods to tow the vehicle on a
flatbed are as follows:
The front wheels raised and the rear wheels
on a towing dolly
Using a suitable steering wheel stabilizer to
hold the front wheels in the straight position
with the rear wheels raised when and the
front wheels ON the ground.
FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE MODELS
FCA recommends towing with all wheels OFF
the ground. Acceptable methods are to tow the
vehicle on a flatbed or with one end of vehicle
raised and the opposite end on a towing dolly.
CAUTION!
Do not use sling type equipment when
towing. Vehicle damage may occur.
When securing the vehicle to a flat bed
truck, do not attach to front or rear suspen -
sion components. Damage to your vehicle
may result from improper towing.
CAUTION!
Towing this vehicle in violation of the above
requirements can cause severe transmission
damage. Damage from improper towing is not
covered under the New Vehicle Limited
Warranty.
CAUTION!
Front or rear wheel lifts must not be used (if
the remaining wheels are on the ground).
Internal damage to the transmission or
transfer case will occur if a front or rear
wheel lift is used when towing.
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE425
(Continued)
and through another hose to the intake
manifold of the engine. This cooling process
enables more efficient burning of fuel resulting
in fewer emissions.
To guarantee optimum performance of the
system, keep the surfaces of the charge air
cooler, condenser and radiator clean and free
of debris. Periodically check the hoses leading
to and from the charge air cooler for cracks or
loose clamps resulting in loss of pressure and
reduced engine performance.
BRAKE SYSTEM
In order to ensure brake system performance,
all brake system components should be
inspected periodically Ú page 395.
Fluid Level Check — Brake Master Cylinder
The fluid level of the brake master cylinder
should be checked whenever the vehicle is
serviced, or immediately if the brake system
warning light is on. If necessary, add fluid to
bring level within the designated marks on the
side of the reservoir of the brake master
cylinder. Be sure to clean the top of the master
cylinder area before removing cap. With disc
brakes, fluid level can be expected to fall as the
brake pads wear. Brake fluid level should be
checked when pads are replaced. If the brake
fluid is abnormally low, check the system for
leaks Úpage 478.
WARNING!
Riding the brakes can lead to brake failure
and possibly a collision. Driving with your foot
resting or riding on the brake pedal can result
in abnormally high brake temperatures,
excessive lining wear, and possible brake
damage. You would not have your full braking
capacity in an emergency.
WARNING!
Use only manufacturer's recommended
brake fluid Ú page 478. Using the wrong
type of brake fluid can severely damage
your brake system and/or impair its perfor -
mance. The proper type of brake fluid for
your vehicle is also identified on the original
factory installed hydraulic master cylinder
reservoir.
To avoid contamination from foreign matter
or moisture, use only new brake fluid or
fluid that has been in a tightly closed
container. Keep the master cylinder reser -
voir cap secured at all times. Brake fluid in
a open container absorbs moisture from
the air resulting in a lower boiling point. This
may cause it to boil unexpectedly during
hard or prolonged braking, resulting in
sudden brake failure. This could result in a
collision.
Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine
parts, causing the brake fluid to catch fire.
Brake fluid can also damage painted and
vinyl surfaces, care should be taken to
avoid its contact with these surfaces.
Do not allow petroleum based fluid to
contaminate the brake fluid. Brake seal
components could be damaged, causing
partial or complete brake failure. This could
result in a collision.
WARNING! (Continued)
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SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE433
F09––Spare
F10 40 Amp Green –HVAC Blower Motor
F11 –5 Amp Tan Output to Under-hood Power Distribution Center (UPDC) Run Coil
F12 –25 Amp Clear Mod Audio Amplifier / Active Noise Cancellation / SW Inverter
F13 –20 Amp Yellow Mod Seat Heater Front (Driver)
F14 –15 Amp Blue Mod Seat Heater Front (Steering Wheel)
F15 ––Spare
F16 ––Spare
F17 –20 Amp Yellow LT Spot Lamp — If Equipped
F18 30 Amp Pink –Motor Sunshade Sunroof
F19 ––Spare
F20 –20 Amp Yellow Comfort Rear Seat Module (CRSM) (Heat Rear RT)
F21 ––Spare
F22 ––Spare
F23 ––Spare
F24 –15 Amp Blue Mod RF Hub / Mod Ignition / Mod Cluster
F25 40 Amp Green –Mod Integrated Trailer Brake
F26 –15 Amp Blue Mod Cluster CCN / Mod Cyber Security
F27 –5 Amp Tan Mod Cluster CCN / Mod SGW
F28 –10 Amp Red Mod ORC
CavityCartridge Fuse Micro Fuse Description
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