2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Flickering head lights ?

[JBeasley]

I have an intermittent flickering in my headlights that I can not figure out. The dash lights and park lights will flicker the same time the headlights do. It started doing it over a year ago and about 3mo. ago my headlights got to where they would just shut off, not park lights and dash lights, only the headlights. I've had this happen before and knew it was the headlight switch and figured that's what was causing the flickering all along until the switch got so bad they started shutting off. I put a new headlight switch in and that stopped my headlights from turning off and on but I still have the flicker. The light green large wire going into the plug for the headlight switch had been very hot and had melted the plastic on the plug. All the other wires looked fine. I'm afraid if I don't get this fixed I'm going to burn up another $100 headlight switch or the flickering might not even be related to the headlight switch going out it might have just been time for a new one. The flickering mostly occurs under acceleration especially if I'm towing and start up a hill. They will stop flickering as soon as I top the hill and let up on the throttle. I've checked all the wires, relays, and grounds that I can find with no luck. Any insight on what this could be or something I've missed that needs to be checked will be greatly appreciated.

 

[kenny61]

Sounds like you got a loose wire that is rubbing on something but only when it is pushed back towards the rear of the truck due to gravity or gforces. i would start by double checking any wire that maybe loose enough to do this. what does your voltgauge do when the flicker happens?

 

[Highfinance97]

there is a TSB for the 2nd Gen headlight switches that introduces a relay into the system

 

[Chief USA]

Check the Hi/Lo bean switch in the steering column. It is very common for this switch to cause the headlight to go out, especially when changing from high to low beam. Usually several actuations of the switch clears the problem but it can and usually does recur. It is just a cheap crappy switch.

 

[Highfinance97]

Check the Hi/Lo bean switch in the steering column. It is very common for this switch to cause the headlight to go out, especially when changing from high to low beam. Usually several actuations of the switch clears the problem but it can and usually does recur. It is just a cheap crappy switch.

My HI/LO switch went bad in my 99 and did this to the trucks harness... . #@$%!
#ad

 

[JBeasley]

That,s what mine looked like. The headlight switch I replaced last time (about 5 years ago) was the TSB one with the extra relay, but the one I got this time did'nt have that relay. I asked about it and they said the switch was a better one and did'nt need it. I've checked every wire I can find and they all look fine. The melted plug and the flicker only under accelaration makes me think I have a wire rubbing only when there's added vibration or extra strain on something like kenny61 was saying causing it only to touch then. I think I'll replace the dimmer switch just to see if that fixes it.

 

[Melton]

Is the dimmer switch and the multi-fuction switch the same ? I also am having trouble but a little different, mine won"t change to dims stays on brite all the time. See my post under "Need help-lights"

 

[JBeasley]

It is the same. The dimmer switch is actually in the multi-function switch. I just ordered one from dodge $109, hope it fixes my problem.

 

[Melton]

I figured that out after doing the post , I also ordered one from Rock Auto on line, it cost about $67 with abouit $9. 00 shipping. Good luck I hope that solves both of our problems.

 

[jelag]

On the newer trucks they use a FCM that does the labor of switching the current... we've had no lights, one light, left low beam and right high beam, no washer etc. . all from the FCM... the load on the head light switch as show with the photo in the 99 above is gone with the FCM... .

Our dealer has replaced it 3 times in our 08 and the truck is waiting for the latest one as I write this... its been tied up under warranty for the last 10 days...

We have heard of problems in the column from moving the wheel up and down a lot and there is a TSB on this as I remember... . but we've not had this problem... .