Electrical problems with a '96 (no lights)

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All the lights were working just fine, then I went to DMV to get the truck inspected. No headlights, one tail light and one signal light worked.

Solved the tail light and signal problem. Burned out bulb, but it looked just fine.

The head lights are still a mystery. All fuses in the cab are OK. All fuses under the hood are OK. Since I took the lamps out looking for a burned one, I replaced them. Put a volt meter on the 2 leads coming into the distribution block under the hood, and I show no juice coming into the block. Continuity test on the negative fails. But everything else works just fine.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm out of ideas.

Gregor Switca
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Torque is a beautiful thing

[This message has been edited by Switca (edited 09-09-2000). ]

 

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Switca
if the fuses sre good then check out the headlight switch. seems to me that there was a problem with them. now that i think about it , we had the same problem on a service truck at work,and i replaced the switch on it. good luck.

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there was a recall on the headlight switch so contact your dodge dealer for a free replacement!

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1993 Dodge Prostock Daytona 7:70@172, 1987 Grand National 11:77@115, 1996 Dodge Ram 3500 Dually. Stock with a 5 speed, Home page http://www.home.earthlink.net/~whra3

 

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Switca are your Dash-board lights working?
Most of the time if your light switch is messing up you loose you dash lights. Also sometimes if you wiggle switch, lights will come back. Pointing to bad swtch or loose connection.
If you loose ground your high beam indicator light will come on usually.
Noticed in your post tested power disribution center. Did you check connection at headlights.
Also check dimmer switch.
Ground for right light on left fender above headlight. Ground for left light near PDC on left fender

 

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Are the dash lights working? Good question. I'll check it tonight.

Did I wiggle the switch? Oh yeah, wiggled, hit it, cussed it up down and sideways at DMV. Not even a flicker.

High beam indicator? No high beam indicator.

When you say "dimmer switch" are you talking bright/regular lights of the dash light intesnity? I do have dash lights.

Yeah, I checked the distribution box. No juice comming in, but it starts and everything else runs OK. That makes no sense.

Headlight connections? Had them out to check them, replaced them as long as they were out and I was heading to Pep Boys.

And if all else fails, the truck goes into the shop friday for a bunch of things I'm not equipped to do. Just one more thing to add to the list.

I've had the truck for a week. Besides the fact I cant drive it at night, I love it.

Thanks, guys!

I'll check the grounds.

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Gregor Switca
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Torque is a beautiful thing

[This message has been edited by Switca (edited 09-10-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Dimmer switch for low/high beams. Part of muti function switch operated by turn signal lever. Easiest way to check would be at connection coming out of steering column. Maybe at light switch.
Will check shop manual to see if easy way to check. The connector to multi function switch needs special tool(anti tampering screws).
You repalced halogen bulbs I take it. The connector to those bulbs check to see ground is working. You can check to see if your getting power to these connectors,by using ground other than provided by connector. If it lites up test lite, you lost ground. No light work your way back to headight switch and High/lo beam switch check all connections between.
Since you giggled headlight switch I would think bad ground or hi/lo beam switch, connections. Usually switches give warning before they go out all the way. Also smell like cooked plastic.

 

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Missouri Mule:

"You repalced halogen bulbs I take it. "

Yeah. I had them out, had no idea how long they were in there and since I was going to Pep Boys, I might as well replace them

"Usually switches give warning before they go out all the way. Also smell like cooked plastic. "

Since I've had the truck for a little over a week, I dont know what the switch has been acting.

"You can check to see if your getting power to these connectors,by using ground other than provided by connector"

I'll give it a shot tonight.

Many Thanks!!

 

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Problem fixed.

Prevfeous owner had a plow on the truck and hacked into the wire harness to connect extra lights. When they sold the truck, they removed the plow and just yanked the wires out of the harness.

Lights work!

Thanks for the suggestions!!

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Gregor Switca
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Torque is a beautiful thing

 

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Nice of them to be so kind to an old friend(the truck that is).