2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Bright Headlights Dont Work

[rholcom2]

I was driving home this evening and went to flip the brights on and to my surprise :--) , NO LIGHTS at all. The dash lights stay on, fog lights go off as usual, and the clerance lights stay on, but no headlights. What could be the problem? Relay? Wiring? Or could both of the Bright Fillaments have blown at the same time. Sorry, I have not checked that yet. Thanks for all your help.



P. S. First time poster, excuse. .

 

[Chipstien]

Get a multitester and check voltage at the plug. Put the black lead in the center and put the red lead in either of the outer connectors. One will show voltage with the low-beams and the other will show voltage with the high-beams. Or you could just buy a bulb and see if it works.

 

[wtrenholm]

99 and later trucks have ground side switching, meaning that the bulbs are supplied 12V and the headlight/dimmer switches provide ground for the circuits. What year is your truck?



Does the hi beam indicator work in the cluster?



If you add your truck info in your signature it'll help in us giving you info.



Wayne

 

[noland]

It could also be the high beam switch. Click it from low beam to high beam a few times and see if the high beams ever come on. This would work for me when mine first started going bad on my old '95.

 

[rholcom2]

I apoligize for not giving any information on my truck. I have checked the voltage, I am getting voltage when The brights are flipped on. Yes, the indicator is working in the dash. I will try new bulbs the next time I am past a parts store and will post my results. Thanks for all your help.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

similar problem...

I occasionally have a similar problem. A few weeks ago the dim lights would not come on when switching to low beams from HI side. Thankfully the fog lights were on and I could still see. Flicking the switch a few times would get it to work correctly. The problem is intermittent. It would appear that the dimmer switch does not have a good life expectancy, having acted up at 62k miles.



Is the dimmer switch located right at the lever base, or is it rodded down the column?

 

[wtrenholm]

Nathan,



The dimmer switch is part of the "multifunction switch"; contains turn signal switch, dimmer switch, wiper switch, etc.



Just take off the upper and lower steering column covers and remove two screws, unplug the connector and it's out.



HTH

Wayne

 

[roadking]

did you check fuses in power dist box?:--)

 

[jelvington]

I agree with wtrenholm.

I had the same thing happen to me on a 1/2 ton Ram and an Explorer. Same thing on both.

 

[rholcom2]

UPDATE

After checking fuses, voltage. I replaced the bulbs, Fixed the problem. Drivers side bulb had broken Bright fillament. Things work now. Thanks so much for the suggestions.

 

[BLUEDOT 72]

Same thing happened to me 2 weeks ago up in (cold) Montana. Stuck on High Beam. . No lower lights. I pulled the Multi-thingamabob out and blew it out with air and then used contact cleaner. Worked it back & forth a bunch of times and it hasn't failed since. But, I guess I'll be buying a Multi-@#$%^ soon. Anyone know what Dodge is getting these days.

 

[jbone]

Guys, After reading about this problem again and again--I bought Sport Headlights and New wiring system with its own relays and power straight off the batteries... . of course you don't need the Sport headlights, but boy are they nice and bright... bet a bunch of guys could steer you toward the wiring kits... . R, J. B.