Engine shuts off and relays 57 and 58 clicking?

Tiny
ETERNALARIANNE
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 DODGE RAM
  • 4.7L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 220,000 MILES
My neighbor is working on this truck, and we are stumped.

Truck will crank and run fine, then after about 20 minutes or so, it will shut off entirely. The gauges on the dash will move back and forth then there is a clicking under the hood. Upon inspection, relays 57 and 58 in the fuse box are clicking. Fuel pump is also clicking on and off. Truck will do nothing until it sits for around 30 mins then it will fire right up and be good for another 20 mins or so. Unhooking the battery doesn't reset anything, you still have to wait the full 30 minutes before you can crank it again.

We tried another battery and even tried another fuse box (I think the computer is attached to the fuse box so it's a new computer too). Is this something with immobilizer system?
Monday, February 24th, 2025 AT 1:57 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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So the part you replaced was the IPM? These have a high failure rate FYI, also please check the ground from the battery to the engine and then to the chassis. This truck must have a good grounding system, so electronics don't back feed and overheat. Here is the part in question. Also, we should check to make sure the alternator is not throwing AC voltage due to a bad diode.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Relay #57 - Auto Shut Down (ASD) Relay:

Relay #58 - Fuel Pump Relay:

Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, February 24th, 2025 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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You may have a shorted ignition coil or fuel injector but let's run these tests first.
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Monday, February 24th, 2025 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
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This truck does have some janky wiring on the aftermarket headlights, I bet that has something to do with it. If you wiggle the wires, the lights come on even without the key inserted. And also, when removing the negative battery cable, it arcs a bit. Negative shouldn't arc, so I think you're right about the ground issue somewhere.
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Tuesday, February 25th, 2025 AT 3:49 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, hacked wiring is a nightmare until it is repaired, can you upload an image of the wiring you are seeing? I can give you diagrams if you want to try and fix them.
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
ETERNALARIANNE
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My neighbor said the owner wants him to fix the headlights anyways since they keep blowing bulbs (probably due to janky wiring lol). So, he's going to rip all the aftermarket stuff out and wire it correctly. Hopefully that'll fix the issue with it shutting off.
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2025 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, the wiring needs to be correct for the car to operate correctly. Does he need wiring diagrams to help? If so, let me know and I can get them for you.
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Thursday, February 27th, 2025 AT 10:11 AM
Tiny
ETERNALARIANNE
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Okay, he got all the lights wired properly and no more arcing on the battery ground. But issue persists. Still clicking on those two relays and won't even try to crank.
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Saturday, March 8th, 2025 AT 1:24 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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So did you replace the fuse panel under the hood? (IPM). Also, I would still check the grounds from the battery to the chassis and to the engine. Is there any other bad wiring under the dash?
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Monday, March 10th, 2025 AT 8:47 AM
Tiny
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Yes the owner did provide another IPM, but issue persists with both the old and new one. The grounds from the battery to the chassis seem okay, but there could be an issue with the wiring in the dash since sometimes removing the key with the door open the chime doesn't stop beeping. Could this be an issue with the ignition switch?
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Monday, March 10th, 2025 AT 8:49 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Yes, it could be and the ignition switch is a common failure. Here is how to change the switch out and a guide to help you test inputs and outputs, I have also included the wiring diagrams as well for the ignition switch.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.

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Monday, March 10th, 2025 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
ETERNALARIANNE
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Sorry for the late reply. All the janky wiring has been fixed, and the ignition switch replaced. Still same issue. We noticed when it's clicking, the fuel pump is also making a wizzing sound. Makes sense since on of the relays that's is clicking is for the fuel pump. We are going to try replacing the fuel pump/sending unit and see if that fixes it.
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Friday, May 30th, 2025 AT 5:03 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Can you check to make sure the battery ground to the engine and chassis is good? Also, do all of the accessories operate correctly? Lets run a CAN scan to see what codes are stored which can help guide us in the right direction.

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
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Friday, May 30th, 2025 AT 9:55 AM
Tiny
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Well, the fuel pump/sending unit needs to be replaced anyways since the gauge always shows zero. But all the grounds seem to be fine as far as we can tell. I'll let you know what we find, the owner of the truck takes eons to bring parts.
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Friday, May 30th, 2025 AT 3:24 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Sounds good, have a good weekend.
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Saturday, May 31st, 2025 AT 10:06 AM

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