TopDon diagnostic scanner/Dodge Ram issue

[Razorhunter]

2004 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9 4x4
TopDon Phoenix Lite 3

I’ve been trying to address a few electrical issues with this truck such as fuel sending unit wiring and also intermittent door lock issues.
Attempted to use bidirectional controls on door locks. All door lock controls are listed under “Instrument Cluster” on TopDon topology. They are NOT shown under the BCM Body Control Module.
Interestingly enough, BOTH the FCM and BCM are identical in every way on the TopDon screen controls. Every single actuation test, every special function etc etc is the same when you enter either the BCM or the FCM. This seems odd to me but I find it odd TopDon would somehow make a mistake like this but who knows. I’m not enough of a diagnostician to know whether two modules should/would have identical controls on a bidirectional scannner? A call to Circuit Board Medics to discuss my I/C resulted in them telling me that the I/C is part of the BCM.
Regardless, on the TopDon, the I/C module is the only one with anything related to door locks.
My primary problem:
Every single actuation test I attempt under I/C results in a “COULD NOT START ACTUATOR” message. Example: “ALL DOORS UNLOCK” or “ALL DOORS LOCK” or “CARGO LAMP ON” etc etc ALL result in the scanner stating “COULD NOT START ACTUATOR” message.
I do know I’ve definitively read in Dodge Service manual that somehow the door locks and chiming ringtones etc are all run through the I/C.
I am wondering if anyone else here has put a TopDon on a 3rd Gen Cummins and encountered anything similar?
If anyone has a guess as to whether this could be an I/C issue on my end or more likely a TopDon software issue please let me know? Wish I had a buddy with a similar truck to scan or even a buddy with another scanner to test on my truck but I don’t. It’s pretty sad. I’m a lone wolf out here fellas.
I did inquire with TopDon about this and will call them back tomorrow.
Anyone had similar issues?

 

[N8sToolz]

Back in the day even the factory tool was fussy with those doing bi directional tests. Also they don't always work if it has fault codes stored too. Seems counterintuitive but that's how it is sometimes.

On those the cluster is sometimes called Cabin Control Node(CCN). But yeah it controls body functions for inside the cab, collects signals and through the network distributes signals to other modules.

I looked up your truck and it does seem the relays for the door locks are on the board in the cluster, so all it's functions are there. If your having problems then use live data to see if it's receiving signal from the switches, if your lucky it will show and output status. Then check power and grounds at cluster. It's pretty likely you have broken wires in the door jambs though, were very common on those.

You can sign up for alldata diy and it will have all the service info for your truck.

 

[Razorhunter]

N8s,
So you’re saying bidirectional controls tend to work best after I’ve cleared all DTC’s/Codes?
I typically do, but there are a couple (“cd player fails to eject” for example) which are a constant, and I can’t always clear them if I recall. Will try again though.
Thanks for your reply. I was unaware that even the DRBIII had issues at times. I was thinking my ever so SLIGHTLY corroded OBD2 port pins were at times to blame, despite my valiant attempt to clean them.
I really appreciate you looking up my truck. I have never dealt with alldata or any of the diagnostic sites like that. I’m merely working off of a “partially correct” factory service manual. I say “partially” because I’ve found almost every schematic I search for, is either incomplete or flat out wrong. This is due to the fact that every FSM schematic I’ve seen is regarding a truck with a PCM and my truck has an ECM only. Very frustrating to say the least. I’ve always wondered if maybe there was an addendum to the manual floating around somewhere out there that was revised to show ECM only trucks. I’m probably not that lucky.
I am definitely looking into possibly broken wires at the door harnesses. I was first trying to get some scanner data before going in and physically cutting the rubber accordion style conduits however. I suppose it’s inevitable.
One last issue to note, I have one constant DTC coming out of the I/C inst. cluster and that is “AUTOMATIC CLIMATE MODULE MESSAGES NOT RECEIVED”
The FSM isn’t very clear about what this means and the diagnosis is the same for this DTC as it is for an ABS module fault. It definitely involves the I/C however.
I really appreciate your response above.