Battery drain issue on 03 Ram 1500

I have a 2003 Ram 1500 4x4 and lately the battery has been draining to dead if i dont drive it for a week or so. I have a solar trickle charger on it putting out 24V but it still discharges.

So i tested some fuses and it seems the one that goes to the automatic transmission module is pulling a load when just sitting. So i would assume this is the problem of the drain???


I was told by a mechanic buddy that i should take it to the Dodge dealer and have them put in the new control module as they need to reconfigure the system once its installed and i can not do that myself.

Just wanted to see if this is indeed true or not?

Thank you
Stu

Okay Stu, sounds like you have a draw problem and not a charging issue, correct? Some of these newer vehicles have some draws happening, like my 2000 3.2 intrepid had, that I drove for 6 years to and from work everyday. Never sat more than a day or two and started no matter the weather. Sold it to a co-worker, and his wife was the pilot of the thing, and if it sat for a week or two it was about dead. Co-worker did not mind putting a trickle charger on it about everyday. I told him that ain't right, and I'd help him fix it right, and he said he was fine with it.

Yes i think the issues may be the transmission module is not going to sleep and draining. So i want to find out if i really have to take it to local dodge dealer so they can i guess re-flash the drivers in the system??

Heck i am just guessing as thats the issues anyway but when you take out the fuse to the transmission the drop goes away. So i am assuming that is the bad part.

My brake controller was slowly draining my battery when my truck sat for log periods without starting. But it seems yours is draining much faster then mine did. Also you seem to have isolated the problem by removing the fuse. Good luck on getting it figured out.

I swapped my TCM on my 02 dakota and it worked just fine. I wouldn’t think it would need to go to a dealer.

That's what i am hoping but the more i talk to others that have been though this the more it seems you need to have the new module re-flashed to the computer. We shall see what happens when get the new part is installed.

Thank you!!
Stu

My controller is from a 02 Jeep Grand Cherokee works like a charm. Hope it all works out for you.

How many amps or milliamps is being pulled from the battery after the key is off for 20 minutes?

That fuse may be feeding more then the trans module. Some stuff stays awake for awhile...

I did some more research and found that there is relay in the that same circuit. So i am going to check that out first and see if it's the issues and not the trans module itself.

What eng is in your truck ? You do know some controllers can take up to 20 minutes to time out ? Normal draw after 20 minutes should be 50 milliamp or less. Ron

My friends Caliber was having a drain issue but it didn't scan showing TCM as far as I know. He took it to dealership and left it in their hands. They called back and said it was ready to go. $700 for new radio. Fixed the problem but he really didn't want to pay that kind of money for a factory radio replacement. Just throwing this out there in case yours turns out to be something other than TCM.

So i did that same thing on my own and replaced the radio with an aftermarket unit. I needed one anyway as the CD and cassette stopped working.

We checked the battery, alternator all the drivers we could think of and he problem still exists. I was talking to a friend last night and he mentioned that the HORN skin on the steering wheel has been known to cause this same issue.

Seems fuse #51 which controls the radio and dash cluster is the circuit that also controls the horn.


Before i go and get more involved in this idea and replace the steering wheel skin, has anyone had this been the answer before??

Thank you
Stu

My air bag cover failed & caused horn to blow non stop. Had it repaired & then there was a recall for it