1998 Dodge RAM 1500 electrical problems

Filed Nov 30, 2017 · Electrical · 110,000 miles · NC

Truck setting still in yard, horns starting blowing without anyone around, pulled fuse to stop. Two shops have been unable to diagnose problem. Horns do not work at all now. Replaced with new horns and still don't work.

Filed Aug 8, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 141,000 miles · VA · fire

Drove my 1998 dodge ram 1500 to empty my trash, started back home and had driven less than 1/4 mile when the truck hesitated like it was going to stall out and there was some smoke beginning to come up through dash area on drivers side. Thinking I might have a busted radiator hose I immediately pulled over in the yard of person doing repair work on an old building. When I opened my truck door on drivers side flames shot between the inside of the door and seat. I jumped out of the truck but was not injured. The man saw flames shooting from the truck and I was very fortunate he had a fire extinguisher. He kept spraying the truck under the hood and was able to get the fire under control just as the volunteer fire department truck showed up. There were a lot hot spots and the fireman kept spraying it with water until it finally quit smoking. The main part of the fire was right at the front of the cab of the truck below the motor. You could see the fire burning from the side looking through the wheel wells. They said it had to be caused by a faulty gas line because of the location. All the electrical wiring including the wiring harness was melted. Thank goodness the man had the fire extinguisher or the whole truck would have burned. Very scary incident especially for a woman.

Filed Jan 30, 2014 · Electrical, Seat belts · 140,000 miles · TX

Truck was park both times..one time over night..then second time parked at work for 8 hours..went to get into truck, nothing happen , no seat belt was working.. Why there no recall on something like seat belt a big safety issue?? There was nothing I did wrong.

Filed Jan 10, 2014 · Acceleration, Airbags · 105,000 miles · HI

I understand that there was a recall of defective clocksprings that disabled airbags in certain dodge products (safety recall 982)(the federal safety agency identification number 01v‑153). The recall included vehicles in the VIN last 8 digits ws501493 to ws771681. My 1998 dodge ram 1500 has a last eight digits of [xxx]. Thus, it does fall within the range of recalled VIN numbers. However, for some reason my truck is not described as one of those recalled. However, I have an airbag light that is on and the steering wheel mounted cruise control does not work it seems to me that both of these are indications of a defective clockspring just as on the recalled vehicles. I would like to know why I have not received a recall notice and why my vehicle make model and year is not described as recalled even though the last eight VIN digits falls within the range of those recalled for this defect. Can the recall of this be studied further and expanded to include my vehicle? Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 9, 2013 · Airbags, Electrical · 2,300 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 dodge ram 1500. The contact stated that the horn failed. The contact had to apply excessive force to the steering wheel in order for the horn to activate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the air bag and horn contact unit needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 2,300 and the current mileage was 65,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2011 · Body, Electrical · 124,000 miles · AZ

1998 dodge ram dashboard is crumbling into little pieces. I smell burnt wires coming from my dash sometimes. I feel it may start a fire.

Filed Jul 24, 2010 · Airbags, Electrical · 85,000 miles · FL

I have a 1998 dodge ram 1500 pickup truck. Like many of these trucks my dashboard is literally breaking apart and collapsing. I have read on line where this is very common with my vehicle. My truck has an airbag built in the dash board and I am concerned that a sharp plastic shard could cause severe bodily injury if the airbag is deployed or if the airbag will even work since the dash board has caved in. Dealers are not willing to fix this problem. I am also concerned that the dashboard wiring could catch fire.

Filed Jan 16, 2009 · Electrical · 148,000 miles · AR

Back in may 08 speed sensor went out then ABS sensor went out a few days later causing no power brakes and could have cause my wife to have a wreck. Both replaced. Now getting engine codes for o2 sensors and truck sputters and cuts out and will not accelerate over 30 MPH. Replaced sensors. Now receiving codes for PCM and now replacing. This is beginning to concern me. Will the next problem cause an accident.

Filed Mar 14, 2008 · Electrical · 119,767 miles · TX · fire

Wiring harness under dashboard fried in 98 ram while using A/C.

Filed Dec 8, 2007 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · IL

Horn does not work unless you hit it in the right spot and you have to hit it very very hard to the point where it hurts your hand,then some times it still don't work. It is a safety hazard and should be recalled.