2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Daytime running light module 1999 Dodge 2500 Diesel

[Gerrits]

The daytime running lights work when the park lights are on but do not work on low beams. The high beam indicator is lit when the low beams are on ( altho' dimly) and it is lit when the high beams are on (brighter). I am assuming that the daytime running light module has failed and I have searched my service manual and it says that the module is to be found on the drivers side fender well. I have looked all over and have found nothing that resembles the DRL module that I purchased. I would like someone to tell me where it is at so that I can replace it and correct the problem. If it does not have one, then I would like a few suggestions as to what is causing the lights to operate like they do.

 

[mwilson]

Have you recently changed either headlight bulb?

If so did the trouble start then?

 

[RikDavis]

Was That an option? My base model 99 2500 which I purchased new does not have daytime running lights

 

[SnoKing]

As mwilson says, installation of wrong number head lamp causes strange conditions. Snoking

 

[mwilson]

BTW, DRL's should be on if the headlight switch is off, park brake is released and key is on.

They should not be on with the parking lights.

Maybe you are referring to regular headlight operation. If so, you will be the third guy in a year that used the wrong bulb for a replacement. Your symptoms match perfectly if the word DRL is removed.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

I concur with mwilson and SNOKING...or you have a wiring issue. IIRC the DRLs were installed on trucks built to Canadian specs and certain fleet vehicles.

If you did recently change a headlight bulb here is a link showing the differences for a 9004 bulb (what your truck uses/needs) and a 9007 bulb (what some people TRY to use as a substitute for "better" lighting).

http://www.candlepowerinc.com/pdfs/9004_9007.pdf

If yours does indeed have the DRL module you may find it hiding under another component. I remember it was hiding on my old 98.5 but don't remember where.

 

[mwilson]

That's a nice diagram and it shows exactly what happens. Low beam power goes into the terminal designated for ground on the 9007 and back feeds through the high beam circuit hence the illumination of the high beam indicator when low beam is selected.

 

[mwilson]

The last guy that went through this claimed that there was a 9007 in a 9004 box so check the printing on the bulb before installing.

 

[Gerrits]

I had installed a Brite Box from Geno's Garage that enables the DRLs to operate on high beam along with the low beam circuit. The DRLs worked fine for several years and then would go out soon after turning on the park lights and or headlights. Soon they did not work at all. I replaced the headlight switch and removed the Brite Box from the wiring system and the DRLs began working again. But only with the park lights on. They would not work in conjunction with low beam lights. I had a headlight burn out a few days later and I did replace them with newer, brighter bulbs but it did not make any difference in the operation of the headlights or the DRLs. The bright headlight indicator is on when the lights are on either low or high beam only a little dimmer when on low. I bought the truck 6 years ago and it had 90k miles on it. I do not know if the DRLs were an option or standard equipment. So in a nutshell, the problem started after years of trouble free operation with the DRLs failing to operate and the changes I have made only got them to work with the park lights. Changing the headlight bulbs occurred after the problem began and were not the cause of it. Any ideas?

 

[mwilson]

What was the number of the newer, brighter bulbs that you installed???

You are not referring to the Foglights as being the DRL's are you??? The lights in the bumper???

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

Put your VIN here and see if the DRL was part of the original build.

http://www.dodge.com/webselfservice...ountry=us&emailUrl=goToEmailForm%28%27R%27%29

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

Mike,

I think you are on to something...The DRLs on low beam will be inactivated as the high beam goes from 50% power to off and the low beam goes to 100%. IIRC The DRL "is" the high beam element applied at 50% power. No tail lights, only high beam @50% power. Headlight switch controls fog lights. (Just a thought) Almost sounds like the Brite Box may have caused some toasty wiring issues due to the extra current running both lighting elements together, similar to the early Gen 2 light switch & plug melt down when towing with lots of clearance lights.

 

[Gerrits]

I ran the VIN like you suggested and got the build sheet for the pickup. I was wrong--it does not have DRLs--the build sheet calls them--fog lights--in the bumper. So now where do I begin to look for the problem? The manufacturer of the Brite Box claims that addition of the device does NOT increase electrical draw on the electrical system of the vehicle and should not cause a problem. I contacted the owner of the company and he didn't feel that his device had created a problem. Figures! But anyway, I never smelled or saw any indication of melting wires or hot anything electrical while driving the truck. I'll check the numbers on the new headlight bulbs when I pull the truck into the shop tomorrow. BUT---the problem began before I changed the bulbs. And when I noticed that the fog lights were having a problem, they worked for a few seconds when I first turned them on and then they went out. The next day they worked for a few seconds and went out again. The third day the lights flashed when I first turned them on and after that they never came on again until after I replaced the headlight switch. At that time they only worked when I turned the park lights on and when on low beam the high beam indicator was dimly lit and when I turned the high beams on the high bean indicator was lit more brightly. Suggestions?

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

9007 bulbs instead of 9004, Fog Light Relay, Headlight Switch, or Multi-function Switch...associated wiring/grounds.

Thinking a bit more on your symptoms, with the feedback to the high beam indicator, it may possibly be a bad headlight ground, or a bulb connector loose; Could also be a rare occurrence of a low beam headlight element breaking and shorting to the high beam side.

 

[SnoKing]

Supply the truth, did you install the wrong head lamps? Snoking

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

Supply the truth, did you install the wrong head lamps? Snoking

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