2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Headlight Switch Illumination (2001.5)

[Shelby Griggs]

The dash illumination on ONLY my headlight switch has gone out. Might be a loose connection??? This happened a week or so ago and I banged on the dash and the illumination came on. Of course it might of just temporarily arc welded the filament too???



Is there a replaceable bulb in the switch unit OR does this require a replacement switch? If it makes any difference, I have the fog lights too.



EDIT: I didn't find any threads here on TDR when I first searched, changed the search terms and kept looking, found a couple of threads in 2004 and 2006, looks like this isn't a dealer part, however maybe Radio Shack? Otherwise a new switch, which probably wouldn't be a super bad idea after 215K.



SHG

 

[JLandry]

SHG,



Unfortunately the lamp in the headlight switch is not replaceable... as unbelievable as that is. The lamp is not sold individually by Dodge and it seems to be non-standard enough so that it's darn near impossible to find.



Your best source for a low cost replacement might be RockAuto.com... that's where I bought one about a year ago. I bought one under the "Airtex" brand name and it was identical in every way to the OEM Dodge switch, right down to the Dodge part number label on it.



Best regards,



John L.

 

[Shelby Griggs]

John,



Thanks for the link. The current price with shipping is $73, I will check with Dodge and see what that goes for.



SHG

 

[SSolderitch]

Yes it is a very tall bulb socket... maybe the bulb from the standard short socket can be made to work with the leads extended? Maybe they used this size someware else in the car line, I keep looking.

 

[TURBOs4LIFE]

You can find a bulb thats pretty close at Radio Shack to replace it with. I was able to remove the glass bulb from that tiny holder and put in the new bulb. Its not as bright as the old one but atleast it works and i didnt have to spend much!

 

[Allnew2Me]

Shelby I have the one from my truck that I removed when I added fog lights. It does not have the pull-out fog switch but if you don't have fogs it will work. You can have it cheap. PM me if interested

 

[Shelby Griggs]

Allnew2Me, PM sent.



I haven't pulled mine apart yet, BUT from one of the previous threads I found with photos, that plastic tube looks to get toasted pretty good, I run with my lights on all the time, so it will have 215K miles of run time (heat), the whole assembly is probably shot.



I did find "short" LED lamp assemblies at Super Bright LEDs - Instrument - Gauge Backlight Twist Lock Bulbs that "might work?



EDIT, The LED I got has a slightly different base, I didn't have time to mess with it today, BUT it won't twist in the hole, so isn't a direct replacement. There are a lot of other possibilities on the LED web site I linked above, but I don't know that I have the time, money and patience to try them all!



I just ended up replacing the light switch.



SHG

 

[Davcruz]

I searched for these at NAPA recently. I even took the switch assembly in with me and they could not find a bulb and base that was close to fitting. It blows my mind that you cannot buy these darn bulbs/bases seperately!