Dim Lights - 2001 Dodge - Need Help

[TDRadmin]

Dear TDR Members:



I have a problem with the lift headlight on my '01 Ram 2500, 4x4. The light is really dim. just an orange faint glow. I have changed the lamp 2 times. I cleaned up the factory ground-wire connections. I even ran an additional ground wire. I them removed the ground wires one at a time and applied the super-conductive, anti-corosion compound to the point of contact.

I am required to do a lot of night driving on the remote mountain roads of Idaho. I have even added on some driving lights. They help, but I would sure like to fix the factory light. For safety, besides it is imbarrasing to have people say, "What is the problem with your headlight". I am proud of my Ram leading the pack of Chevys. over 53 Miles of Mt. Rd. to the mine. Please help me if you can. The dodge people evidently never leave town. They said they would look at it if I can leave it for a couple days.



Thank You, Dale

 

[Allnew2Me]

Does it dim just on low beam or on both low and high? Looking at the wiring diagram in my manual it looks like the headlight switch feeds the beam selector switch which sends the voltage out to the left and right lights separately, maybe there is some internal resistance in your high/low selector switch.

Another option may be a bad or dirty connector at the light itself.

 

[ttbird]

Not sure if this applies to your newer RAM but there has been a problem with the light switch on my year and later. The power runs thru the switch to the lights and over heats the switch, making it fail. Something to do with the rheostat that controls the interior lights also. Summit makes a wiring harness which draws the power directly from the batteries using only the light switch to energize the relays. If you find that the switch is bad, when you replace switch, add the harness and you will never encounter this failure again. Hopefully someone with an 01 will speak up and let you know if this problem exists on your year.

 

[Thomas]

. . . I have a problem with the lift headlight on my '01 Ram 2500, 4x4. . .

I assume you mean "left". This is significant because it rules out problems with the circuit that is common to both headlamps—the common circuit includes the multi-function (dimmer) switch and the headlight switch.

. . . The light is really dim. just an orange faint glow. I have changed the lamp 2 times. . .

I'll assume that you have changed the bulb instead of the lamp. Removing and installing two different bulbs should have "cleaned" the contact area of the bulb socket enough to eliminate the orange faint glow if the problem was due to poor electrical contact in that area.

If the faint glow problem occurs on both high and low beam your problem is almost certainly somewhere from fuse "C" (15 a. ) in the Power Distribution Center to contact B of the left headlight bulb socket (the center one with the 18 gauge violet wire). Be careful—your 2001 Ram uses switched ground. This violet wire should be hot ALL of the time.

Try swapping fuses "B" & "C" in the PDC. Fuse "B" supplies 12 volts to the right headlight bulb and, as mentioned above, fuse "C" supplies 12 volts to the left headlight bulb. Just swapping the fuses might clean things up enough to cure the problem.

. . . I cleaned up the factory ground-wire connections. I even ran an additional ground wire. . .

If you don't understand the switched ground wiring of your truck let me know.

Not sure if this applies to your newer RAM but there has been a problem with the light switch on my year and later. . .

Switched ground 1999+.

All of my comments assume a non-Sport, non-Canadian (DRL) Ram.

 

[Mine Owner]

I have changed the lamp 2 times. Cleaned all connections. Cleaned the ground. I added an extra ground wire. Even added high conductive, anti corrosion compound. The light is week on both high and low beam. The truck is an '01, 2500. diesel, 6-speed

 

[NoSeeUm]

Probably not the type of answer you are wanting, but Brite Box is one option I have utilized on my truck.



Jim

 

[SteveAnsley]

I had the same problem when I bought my truck.



I did the direct wiring to the battery w/ a relay hooked to the switch that is commonly done for complete & constant voltage - this took all the factory wiring out of the equation and solved the problem.

Bought the APC brand kit from Summit Racing.

 

[Mine Owner]

To TDRRadmin, Thank you sir. You got it the first time. After I read your message I went out this AM. I checked and found 12V on both sides of the fuses. I swaped them and, AS you said that was it. That made the right light dim. In my 50 Years iof driving everything. I never heard of a fuse that was a semi-conductor. I thank you again. I hope all your roads are smooth and not crouded. I wish there was a way I could pay you back, Dale

 

[Hobart]

Anyone know the part # for the Summit headlight wireing kit?

 

[Darrenf]

I searched the TDR and found reference to this wiring kit from summit.



http://store.summitracing.com/partde...w=1&N=700+150+



Darren

 

[Thomas]

To TDRRadmin, Thank you sir. You got it the first time. After I read your message I went out this AM. I checked and found 12V on both sides of the fuses. I swaped them and, AS you said that was it. That made the right light dim. In my 50 Years iof driving everything. I never heard of a fuse that was a semi-conductor. I thank you again. I hope all your roads are smooth and not crouded. I wish there was a way I could pay you back, Dale

Here is a drawing I made up a long time ago. It shows the switched ground circuit found on your 2001 & my 2000 Ram. I would have included it with my original post but couldn't locate it. I'm glad you cured your problem.

"Switched ground" can confuse those of us that have been driving fifty years or more the first time we run into it.



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•• Click to Enlarge ••

 

[TDRadmin]

Thanks To All!!

I just received the following email from Dale Tustison. I think we have another happy TDR Member now. Thanks to all of you who helped out!



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Dear Mr. Patton

Thank you. I do want to learn how to use your site. Especially since You put my problem out there for the people to see. There were so many tips from different parties that I can not remember them all. I will try to get the information to them myself. If i am un able to get it done, Please pass it along for me, That being that I am deeply indebted to them. I was almost at the end of my sanity. I have talked to 2 dealers that would take it in and look at it. Cost?? I found the problem within 15 Min. this AM. It WAS the fuse to the left Headlight. I never heard of a fuse to a headlight. I thought they were required to be Auto-reset breakers. Or that a fuse could work---Partially. I think the man's name was "John Holmes" If you want to you can give the guy my E-mail address. I do owe you guys big-time. wish I knew how to make it right with you. Thank you again, Dale



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Thanks again, folks!



Our community is one I am very proud to be affiliated with.



Have a great Sunday.



Robin

TDR Admin

 

[Sindee]

I have a Dodge 2001 1500 my headlights glow orange very dim on low beam both of them they work fine on high beam will this fuse problem fix that as well?

 

[MimiSpree]

Both of my headlights dim on high and low beam on 2001 1500

Please help! Both of my headlights are dim on low and high beam. I don't understand the comment about the common circuit. What should I do?

 

[Road Dog]

Assuming you have the regular headlights (not the sport) there are a few things to know while you're diagnosing the problem:
1. there is a fuse for each headlight.
2. the lights are ground switched which means that the switch opens and closes to ground and the headlights always have +12V.
3. the headlight switch is notorious for failing since it carries the full current (amps) of the circuit.
4. the high-low switch (part of the turn signal stalk) also carries the full current.

You should start by checking the fuses. Then check the headlight switch. If it's melted then it's time for a new one.