Flashing lamp out and chime

[PL18P84]

I've got a 03 3500 with 63,000 miles. Recently when Ive been on the freeway at 50mph or greater my lamp out light and chime start to activate intermittently. Not always at the same time either. Sometimes just the chime, sometimes both. The light has never stayed on. It also doesn't matter if the lights are on or off. I suspected a loose filament at first but now I don't know. Any Ideas? Thanks for any input. DanMac

 

[bighammer]

OK, I've dropped the ball here. This really should be in the FAQ section.



Replacing the rear bulbs is probably your cure. The lamp out light and chime are often (or dare I say "usually" here?) caused by the plastic bases on the rear brake/tail bulbs. Heat, vibration and/or the squeeze socket contacts, works the thin contact wires into the plastic base deep enough that they lose continuity with the socket contacts.



When you open the tailgate, there are a couple Torx (T-15 if I remember right) screws that hold the tail lamp assembly tight. With those removed, there are a couple plastic pins that stick in along the forward edge. A firm tug straight back and away will pop the whole thing loose. Then unscew the 4 phillips head screws that hold the bulb circuit board in.