Five problems related to ignition switch have been reported for the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
2003 Dodge Ram 1500 1. Started to have some electical issues, power windows and heater blower motor would work intermittently. Also occasional smell of melting plastic. 2. After some time blower motor totally quit. Went online to trouble shoot problem and learned of recall on 2002 Dodge ram for identical problem. That was caused by melting ignition switch. So I took apart steering column and found plug for my ignition switch melting and wire burnt and corroding. After finding problem and putting the plug back together blower motor started working intermittently again and when it is on wire gets extremley hot. Consequences would by loss of visability if windows fog up and or potential fire hazard. 3. Nothing has been done to fix the problem yet. Chrysler wanted me to bring my vehicle in and pay to get the problem diagnosed at thier dealer. Then they would work with me to get the problem fixed, not guaranteeing they would cover any or all of the cost. So I will probable fix the problem myself with used parts because I don't have money to pay Chrysler to fix a problem the are very aware about. Since they issued a recall on the 2002 ram that uses the same ignition switch as mine.
We own a 2003 Dodge quad cab pickup with 99000,00 miles on it. We were having the heater core and blend door replaced and notice d the blower was not working. The mechanic thought it was the resistor but come to find out it was the ignition switch wires that go to the blower motor were burnt at the contact points on the ignition switch. Due to the looseness of the connection prongs this has been going on for some time. I do believe this is a safety issue that if left unfixed would have caused a fire in the vehicle. I did keep the old part for your viewing. I also contacted Dodge to let them know about the problem and asked them if they were at least going to issue a TSB for this problem. Their reply was no. That's when I contacted you. We went ahead and had the mechanic replace the part due to the safety concern.
Hvac blower intermittently working due to bad connection to the ignition switch. Window is constantly fogging. I do not feel that NHTSA recall no. 03v078 covered all vehicles affected as my vehicle falls 6 months short of the recall and will have to get the repair done at my cost. Looking up this problem on the internet and speaking with repair services this is very common past the 2002 manufactured trucks.
Ac quit working. Turns out ignition switch is bad. I found that the ignition switch and wiring had burning evidence. Wiring brittle and cracked. Believe it is the same problem reported in the 1995 Dodge. Amperage issue when blower motor is on high to much for factory installed wiring. Could cause a fire!!!.
While driving vehicle lost power (no throttle response). Next the ignition switch went bad. The vehicle's steering column was out of alignment.