I have been chasing a similar problem on my 98.5 for a while now. If the truck sits for any length of time the batteries go flat, totally. I think I traced it to the Seatbelt Control Module? I pulled the fuse that supplies non ignition power to this unit and the batteries retained their charge so one of the circuits fed by this fuse is faulty but I have not tracked down which one yet.
Yesterday I'm driving along and the "CHECK GAUGES" light comes on and stays on followed by the "AIR BAG" light which also stays on. The CD volume decreases and then quits and all the lights in the radio including the clock dissapear. Then my EGT gauge quits. By this time I have turned around and head for home where I park the truck engine running while I unload. When I get back in and press the brake pedal ALL the warning lights in the dash light up and ALL the gauges drop to zero. The engines starts to quit so I release the brake pedal and everything returns to normal except the "CHECK GAUGES" and "AIR BAG" lights stay on and the EGT gauge and Radio still do not work.
Today I pulled the codes and this is what I got. P0216, P0622, P0122, P1693, P0237, P1682. Can anyone explain to me what the **** is going on and what do these codes mean in REAL Language? The only thing I can determine from this is that the Alternator seems to be involved in some way. Help me please

 

P0622, P0237 & P1682 - These bother me. I don't know what to think.
What would control/effect the voltage to all three items???

The other codes I got when I had the problem with my APPS.

Here is a link to the post containing the trouble shooting pages that really helped me out. (Thanks Benjamin!)

 

The saga continues. I fitted an brand new alternator but the system is not charging. When I reconnected the batteries I attached both grounds first then attached the first positive cable which caused a spark on contact, so something is drawing current that should not be. If there are any electrical gurus out there I could sure use some guidance right now.
__________________

 

I feel your pain.

 

I still have this issue, if it is an issue that is along the same lines. Although my truck has been out of use for almost a month now while I'm workin on the suspension stuff, I fired it up for the first time today and the batteries are still holdin. Pryor to changing the batteries and cables it wouldn't have started after the first day of sittin.

 

cc,
you can look your codes up here
https://www.dieselbombers.com/codes.php

May be a Ground Issue , Hook up a set of jumper cables from your neg battery terminals to engine pulling bracket and see if your batteries are still draining

 

How many times have you disconnect and reconnected your batteries that way?

Thats the wrong way to do it and hopefully that spark didnt kill your PCM. IIRC, the voltage regulation comes from the PCM - so if its not charging - that could very well be the problem. Have you checked for codes?


** When disconnecting batterys, disconnect the negatives first, then pull the positives. **

** When reconnecting, install the positives first then the negatives. **

 

Thanks for that great advice, somthing I did not know. Hopefully I have not done any serious damage. I will find out when I get the fuse that I'm waiting for and can check the system.

 

If the problem is the PCM, you should have other problems. Also, it should be throwing a code or two. Good luck - let us know what you find.

 

Happy, happy, happy. The problem is solved. There was a short to ground in the charging cable from the alternator to the fuse block. I replaced the cable and now all works just like Mr. Chrysler said it should. Thanks for all the good advice guys.