Ram · Uconnect
Where is the TBM on a Ram 1500?
Updated September 2026
The Telematics Box Module is the cellular modem that reports your truck's location and driving data to Stellantis. Here's where it is on every Ram generation, how to recognize it, and your options once you've found it.
Short answer
On a 2019–2026 Ram 1500 (DT), the TBM is bolted to a silver bracket on the upper instrument-panel carrier, above the glovebox and next to the passenger airbag. You reach it by removing the lower glovebox (6 screws) and then the upper glovebox. Some trucks also need the center stack out for clear access.
TBM location by Ram generation
| Truck | Where the TBM is | How to reach it |
|---|---|---|
| Ram 1500 (DT) 2019–2026 | Upper instrument-panel carrier above the glovebox, next to the passenger airbag | Remove the lower glovebox (6 screws), then the upper glovebox |
| Ram 2500 / 3500 2019–2026 | Same area: upper glovebox and instrument-panel carrier | Same as DT; some trucks also need the center stack removed |
| Ram TRX 2021–2024 | Deep in the dash, upper glovebox area | Center stack, lower glovebox, and upper glovebox |
| Ram 1500 Classic (DS/DJ) 2009–2018 | Above the driver's left foot, left of the steering column | Pop off the lower driver's dash panel with a trim tool |
How to recognize it
On the DT it’s a black box on a silver bracket with screw-on coaxial (FAKRA) antenna connectors:
- Purple and pink: the two cellular antennas (Mopar calls them cellular antenna 1 and 2, FAKRA codes D and H). These send your truck’s data out. Disconnect both and leave them unconnected. The purple one is sometimes described as claret violet, and shades vary by build.
- Light blue and brown: GPS (code C) and satellite radio (code F). These pass through the module on their way to the radio, so they’re the two you jumper back to the head unit when the box comes out.
The Mopar part number on many DT trucks is 68425781AA.
Why pulling the F44 fuse isn’t the answer
The fuse most people find is F44, a 20A fuse labeled Radio / Telematics / Trailer Cam. It’s shared, so pulling it shuts off your Uconnect screen along with the TBM. Unlike GM and Ford, Stellantis doesn’t give 2018+ trucks a standalone telematics fuse, so the fix happens at the module.
Three ways to disable it
- Unplug the violet/purple/pink cellular connectors. This cuts the truck’s data link while navigation and SiriusXM keep working, because those feeds still pass through the module to the radio. Fully reversible, but the box stays powered, so treat it as a quick first step rather than the finish line.
- Remove the TBM completely. This is what we recommend. The brown (SiriusXM) and light blue (GPS) feeds run through it, so you’ll need two FAKRA female-to-female jumper cables (under $15 a pair from Amazon) to patch them straight back to the radio. Buy them before you start. The violet/purple/pink cellular cables stay disconnected.
- Disable it in software with AlfaOBD. 2018 and newer Rams have a Security Gateway Module that blocks aftermarket tools from changing settings, so you need a gateway bypass first. Turning off “GPS Present” in software also disables navigation.
Before you pull any trim
Disconnect the negative battery terminal (10 mm) and wait five minutes before touching connectors. The TBM sits right beside the passenger airbag. Photograph every connector before you unplug it so you can put it back exactly.
What you lose, and what keeps working
- Lost: SOS and automatic crash calling, Uconnect app remote start, lock, and vehicle locate, over-the-air updates, and the Wi-Fi hotspot
- Still works: radio, Bluetooth, CarPlay and Android Auto, backup camera, all safety systems, plus navigation and SiriusXM as long as you unplug only the purple/violet connector or patch the other two back with jumpers
Want photos and the full step-by-step?
The Ram / Jeep guide has photos of the TBM on each generation, the exact removal steps, the FAKRA jumper to buy, and the AlfaOBD settings list. $39, emailed as a PDF.
Common questions
+Is there a TBM fuse on a 2019+ Ram 1500?
Not a standalone one. Fuse F44 (20A) feeds the radio, telematics, and trailer camera together, so pulling it also kills your Uconnect screen.
+Will removing the TBM break my navigation or SiriusXM?
It can. On Ram trucks the brown and blue antenna cables run through the TBM before reaching the radio. Either unplug just the purple/violet cellular connector, or patch the brown and blue cables back to the radio with FAKRA female-to-female jumpers when you remove the module.
+Is the TBM in the same place on a Ram 2500 or 3500?
Yes. 2019–2026 heavy-duty Rams use the same upper glovebox and instrument-panel carrier location, and some trucks also need the center stack removed to reach it.
+What is the Ram 1500 TBM part number?
68425781AA is a common part number on the DT Ram 1500. Numbers vary by build, so check the label on your module.