Archived down to the last straw with park/dash lights

[BBrooks]

Have checked everything that seems relevant, except looking for a short or bad ground. I have had 3 different headlight switches(1 dodge, 2 wells cheapies). The parking lights will come on only when i pull out the switch to the first slot(parking light slot) about 3/4 of the way. If i pull it on out to the headlight position, only the headlights will come on. I have checked all the fuses, replaced the terminal on the headlight switch and tried numerous headlight switches. Only thing i can think of is there is a bad ground or short somewhere. I know some of you electrical gurus will have an idea, because I am out of ideas. I know out there in TDR land someone has a solution or has a suggestion. Any input will be greatly appreciated. (not covered under recall)



Thanks,



Boyd Brooks

 

[bmoeller]

Do you have any melted insulation on the wires behind the plug that is attached to the headlight switch?



With the Dodge replacement switch, did it come with the plug/pigtail wires to replace the melted plug on the old switch? My new one came with it, but did not need it.



Do you have a good wiring schematic? That may help you.



Do you have any bad relays?

 

[BBrooks]

The wiring is all good. It was melted some, but i replaced that. I will check the relays, hadnt thought of that. Thanks. Does anyone know where i can get a wiring schematic?

 

[bmoeller]

Can try this- http://www.cybrrpartspro.com/Chilton Manuals/8847m/8847.HTML Don't know how good it is, but it may help.



Service manual would be best. Haynes has them in their manuals, but not impressed with them. Since they are small and on different pages, they are a little hard to follow.

 

[MMeier]

Did you check your grounds? If I remember correctly there is one group of grounds screwed into a metal brace behind the insrument cluster, also check the small ground coming off the battery connected to the body!!

 

[DieselTim]

I know that you have replaced the switch, but if it will turn on the parking lights in the first position and only the headlights in the 2nd position then it sounds to me like the switch is bad. On my 96 2500 I had the switch to melt on me. so I took it apart and found that the way that switch is made is that the contacts are 2 strips of brass that slide as you pull the knob. The first set makes contact across the parking lights in the first position and then moves to the head lights when you pull it to the 2nd position, with the second contact making the parking lights in the 2nd position. So, it sound like if you can get the parking lights on in the first position then the rest of the system is working and it is just a bad switch. I replaced mine with the upgraded switch from the dealer that was the recall for the 3500, it has a relay built in the short pigtail that comes with the new switch to handle the heavy load of the headlights.



If the parking lights work in the first position then the rest of the parking light system is OK.



Tim

 

[BBrooks]

Thanks for all the replies. After reading some more, i decided to start replacing fuses. You cant always be sure just by looking. Well that was it:--) I couldnt believe it. Now all is well and i can work on some more important stuff. Thanks for all the tips guys i dont know what i would do without it.



thanks again



boyd

 

[bmoeller]

Something that would help make it easier, is some of the packages of Little-Fuse fuses, there is a puller/tester in it. The one that came with it works on the regular ATO fuses and the mini. Saves alot of frustration, and you won't even have to remove the fuse to check it. It has a little green light on it.