lamp out message but no lamps are out

[BGlidewell]

Got in the truck this afternoon and noticed a message in the dash "lamp out". Can't find a lamp out though. Should I wiggle some bulbs?

 

[jhenderson]

Tail lamps have been a trouble spot. Check the bulb sockets and contact wires on the bulbs. Look for dark colored glass on the bulbs, and replace any that may be suspect. Use di-electric grease on the contacts.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Agreed there have been problems back there including wire harnesses that melted.

 

[BGlidewell]

thanks a bookoo

 

[SWithrow]

Check you backup bulbs, if they burn out you will get a lamp out also.

 

[goodguys75]

I had a tail light out, but no message up front... do some trucks not warn ya when they go out????

 

[Mark31]

B Glide, I had the same trouble years ago. Finally figured out that the bulb holder strip was bad, replacement cured it. Maybe a 2 years later, the other strip went bad so it could join its mate in the landfill. Mark

 

[WesJohnston]

Same problem, after monkeying around for an hour looking for a burnt out light bulb my son noticed that one of the dash illumination bulbs behind the speedometer is out. Haven't dug into it yet but was wondering if that would set off the idiot light.

 

[SWithrow]

Same problem, after monkeying around for an hour looking for a burnt out light bulb my son noticed that one of the dash illumination bulbs behind the speedometer is out. Haven't dug into it yet but was wondering if that would set off the idiot light.

No, the dash illumination bulbs have a very low draw of current. I had 3 lights out in the cluster and replaced all the bulbs with LEDs (no resistance) and do not have the lampout indicator.


And Since they are controlled by the dimmer switch you would assume that it would set off the idiot light on the dash every time you dimmed the dash lights but it dosen't. M2C

 

[WesJohnston]

No, the dash illumination bulbs have a very low draw of current. I had 3 lights out in the cluster and replaced all the bulbs with LEDs (no resistance) and do not have the lampout indicator.





And Since they are controlled by the dimmer switch you would assume that it would set off the idiot light on the dash every time you dimmed the dash lights but it dosen't. M2C

Thanks for the reply, I guess I'll start looking at the other suggestions in this post

 

[BGlidewell]

B Glide, I had the same trouble years ago. Finally figured out that the bulb holder strip was bad, replacement cured it. Maybe a 2 years later, the other strip went bad so it could join its mate in the landfill. Mark

Thanks. What is the "bulb holder strip"? Is it the fixture the bulb is set in? Which bulb was this in your case?

 

[Mark31]

Thanks. What is the "bulb holder strip"? Is it the fixture the bulb is set in? Which bulb was this in your case?

Sorry, Glide. I went off half cocked. The strip I'm refering to is the one that holds all the rear light bulbs. Just take the lens cover off and there she is. Those strips going bad were quite common in the earlier gen 3's, if I am remembering right. I think GM had the same problem, and their's cost about 3times as much to replace. I don't remember how we decided that was the problem. Maybe one of the "electric gurus" will chime in. Mark

 

[SWithrow]

Thanks. What is the "bulb holder strip"? Is it the fixture the bulb is set in? Which bulb was this in your case?

You need to pull the whole tail light assembly out and I believe there are 4 screws that hold the strip to the light assembly

 

[RDeFayette]

This is the Dodge part number and description:



55077343AB SOCKET, Tail, Stop, and Turn Lamp about $18. 00

As stated before look for "blueing" of the contacts in the module/strip/socket, also look for melted plastic on the base of the bulb next to the contact (looks like a piece of wire).

There is VERY little contact area between the bulb and socket contacts any dirt/corrosion, etc. drives up resisitance (overheating, melting plastic) and will make the lamp out illuminate. If you turn on all the lights and don't see any out it's usually the turn signal bulb. (the 3rd brake light is NOT in the lamp out circuit).

If you see any blueing replace the socket assembly AND the bulbs (don't reuse buls with melted bases unless you wan to do this again)and as stated before use dielectric silicone on the contacts.

 

[JDKammin]

I would pull your taillights out and check the light strips. I had an 04 that the light out chime would come and go. It drove me nuts. I replaced both sides and fixed the problem. I think the strips were $20 each. I did have a backup light out the other day but don't think I had a light out message.

 

[BGlidewell]

I took the rear light fixtures out. the most annoying part was those stupid clips on the electrical connectors. I'm having a hard time imagining those rather inert strips could be the problem. They look like fairly simple plastic cases for the bulbs with three 3507 sockets. I pinched the female 3507 socket pins together to tighten the fit and put everything back together. I also sprayed connection cleaner on all connections and still have the lamp out message on the dash with no lamps really out. hmmmm.

 

[RDeFayette]

It's not the "strips" them selves. It's the contacts in the strips and the contacts in the base of the bulbs. Need to closely examine both for signs of heat. Blueing of the contacts and melting of the bulb base next to the contacts.

Usually ends of being in the rear bulbs BUT could be in any bulb. Corner lamp, running light front turn signal, any bulb that uses same type base.

 

[Blue Ox1]

Just a FYI Rockauto has the socket strips for just over 10 bucks or I just ordered new ones off of ebay for 14 ea with free shipping.

 

[NavyDood]

I ran into the same thing a couple of years ago. Got the lamp out a couple of times over a week period. I would check all the lights and everything was working fine. It ended up being one of my taillight bulbs. One of the filaments in the bulb broke, it did not burn. The filament would make contact the majority of the time and then give me a erroneous lamp out light just to mess with me.

 

[WesJohnston]

Okay, overlooked the license plate lights, both were burned out, replaced them, all the other lights are working, the lamp out message is still there. Does this message go away by its self when fixed or does the system need reset somehow?