Erratic Lamp Out Warning

[icarus33]

I just started helping a friend out with a erratic lamp out warning issue. Warning occurs within 20 minutes of highway driving during the day when no lights are on. No bad bulbs on headlamps, parking lights, taillights, brake lights, turn signal, cargo light, etc.

Dealer took a look and could not reproduce so no repair. I rode in the truck this morning and was running OBD-2 software and had no code set with or without the error active. The warning is very erratic. Sometimes just the chime and no dash light. When dash does show the "lamp out" it is flickering as if there is a wire with a short or open condition, not a steady indication.

Only wiring mods have been a brake controller addition, relocation of 5th wheel connector to bed, addition of a connector for his boat. This was all added 17,000 miles ago and no issues till now. I suspected this wiring at first, but it doesn't make sense how this circuit would be getting activated when no lighting is being drawn on while cruising at 75mph on the freeway.

We disconnected the entire brake controller and still have issues. Anyone else with this strange behavior?



ic

 

[COBRAJET]

I had the same issue on my truck. It has 53K on it now. It was the right rear assembly that the bulbs go in. It is one strip that holds the three bulbs. My light kept coming on numerous times in a minute span along with the stupid chime. I drove the truck 250 miles at night with the crap going off. The dealer said Dodge is having problems with some of the light strips. I would purchase one and try it in one side. If it doesn't go away put it in the other side. It only costs $20. 00 and is very easy to change... two screws holding the light housing to the bed and four screws holding the light strip to the housing. It takes less than five minutes. The two screws to the bed are TORX screws. The bulb does not make good contact in the strip causing a current issue which make the light/chime go off. It should be a very easy fix... maybe even under warranty... CJ

 

[icarus33]

Cobrajet,



That's what I was looking for! When this friend of mine spoke to the service rep. , he mentioned there was some sort of circuit board behind the rear lenses. I thought they could contain the sense or fault circuitry for this lamp out then.

We'll have to take a look at both of those lenses. Thanks for the direction.



ic

 

[CLAYTON]

Has anybody figured this thing out yet. Mine just started to go crazy today. Has a this happend to anybody else in the last little while? Have you found it to be a faulty part or something in the ecm?

 

[Lorenz]

mine too

started last night. lamp out intermittenly with bling bling pause pause pause bling.



it may just be a coincidence but i ran way way low on gas wene this started happening. i thought it was the low gas bling (same chime). started with bling only then got worse with lamp out this morning.



i filled up with 36. 69 gallons in a shortbed quad cab... . way low. the fuel gauge needle was pegged past "E"



HELP

 

[one8upcb]

I had the same issue. Took it in to the dealer and they replaced the circuit board. So far so good

 

[cummins_crewcab]

My truck has the same problem. Previous owner said he took it to the dealer numerous times and they could never find the problem. I get it about twice a weak or so, most of the time just the chime but sometimes the light, all the lights are working. I'll try the new board in the rear light assembly though...

 

[jcfarms]

Bling bling and lamp out

I had the same problem on the left rear light. First it was the brake bulb. I replaced it and no more bling bling. A while later the turn signal quit, then the brake light quit again. The bulb was fine. Apparently, contact is lost. I could see on the turn bulb that it had black, burnt area from an electrical arc. I took a small screw driver and carefully pryed the socket contacts inward for a tighter fit on the turn signal bulb. I think I put some Dialect grease on at the same time. I did the same when the brake light quit the second time. So far no more annoying bling bling.

 

[CLAYTON]

I had the same problem on the left rear light. First it was the brake bulb. I replaced it and no more bling bling. A while later the turn signal quit, then the brake light quit again. The bulb was fine. Apparently, contact is lost. I could see on the turn bulb that it had black, burnt area from an electrical arc. I took a small screw driver and carefully pryed the socket contacts inward for a tighter fit on the turn signal bulb. I think I put some Dialect grease on at the same time. I did the same when the brake light quit the second time. So far no more annoying bling bling.

So it was just the connection? I haven't looked yet but how do I get the light out to get to the circut board? I'll have to check all my lights and see if they are working.

 

[DE Jeeper]

I am having the same problem with the drivers side rear. I have narrowed it down to a short in the part that retains the bulb. Mine is actually heating the wire that is on the light bulb so hot that it melts into the plastic at the base of the bulb and it looses connection. One of these days I will get to the dealer and force them to replace it.

 

[FullSack]

I had the same problem on the left rear light. First it was the brake bulb. I replaced it and no more bling bling. A while later the turn signal quit, then the brake light quit again. The bulb was fine. Apparently, contact is lost. I could see on the turn bulb that it had black, burnt area from an electrical arc. I took a small screw driver and carefully pryed the socket contacts inward for a tighter fit on the turn signal bulb. I think I put some Dialect grease on at the same time. I did the same when the brake light quit the second time. So far no more annoying bling bling.

I am having the same problem with the drivers side rear. I have narrowed it down to a short in the part that retains the bulb. Mine is actually heating the wire that is on the light bulb so hot that it melts into the plastic at the base of the bulb and it looses connection. One of these days I will get to the dealer and force them to replace it.

I have the exact problem as the both of you. Took it in and the dealer at to order a new socket that the bulb pops into. I don't know what's causing the socket to burn, hopefully it won't happen again. I'll ask them tomorrow if they know what's causing it . . .

 

[CLAYTON]

Well checked all the lights and all of them are working. . guess I'll have to take it in and get a new circuit board back there... is there a TSB for this?

 

[mberry]

Anyone have a source for LED's to replace the stock light setup?

 

[jcfarms]

The bulb did not blow. It would lose contact and Lamp out indicator came on and bling bling would sound. I would drive around and it would start working again. If you hit a bump in the road it would start all all over again. I was past warranty coverage so I fiddled with it myself. Good luck.