2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Head Lights

[Melton]

The other night we drove about 3/4 mile,I made a right turn and the head lights went out, I pulled over turned on the fog lights and continued, shortly the head lights came back on. We continued about 2 miles turned right the lights went out and then came back on, after a few seconds. I remember reading in TDR about the lights doing a flicker or somthing which is normal but this is the lights go off but so far have came back on. I need help.

 

[terrywerm]

I have not seen the problem you describe, but have seen something similar, as follows: This happened only in the winter time, with the heater on, and only after driving for a while so that everything is good and warm. Going down the road, high beams on. Meet a car, pull the dimmer switch and let it go, the lights went out. Hit it twice real quick and they would come back on.



This problem would not occur during the warmer months since I wasn't using the heater.



Eventually I installed a headlight harness kit from Summit Racing, which takes the headlight load off of the headlamp switch and dimmer switch. With that harness in place, the only load is that of the relays for those headlamps.



Since installing that harness, the problem with the headlights failing has disappeared. I assume it is because the headlamp and dimmer switches are now running much cooler since the load on them has been greatly reduced.



Don't know if this will be helpful to you or not, but thought I would offer what information I had that might be related or helpful.

 

[JFaughn]

You could get better replies if you go to the user control panel & fill in info on truck .
Beyond that , go out and wiggle wiring harness .

 

[LukeW]

i had a similar problem as yours only it was with my fog lights going out. what it ended up being was the light switch was bad. that might be something to look at.

 

[Thomas]

On your 2001 Ram if it happens with both high & low beams it's likely the headlight switch or wiring in the steering column.

Try the tilt feature of the steering wheel to see if it has any effect on the lighting.

Wiggle the headlight switch to see if it has any effect on the lighting.

 

[LandShark]

Problems with the headlight switch are well known on this site. Do a search.



I fixed my truck with a similar relay system as terrywerm. There are several available. It takes about 1/2 hour to install and leaves all original components intact. It add relays and a direct connection to the batteries and has the side effect of brighter headlights. Have had no problems since installing it 5 years ago.

 

[THess]

I had a similar problem. The headlights would not work on low beam. High beam worked but you had to hold the lever back. It was the headlight switch. I got mine at Autozone for $13,and it was really simple to replace. Good luck.