2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission intermittant headlights

[DickersonD]

hey guys,

my headlamps work some of the time, both high and low. the running lights will still be on so don't think its the headlight switch. some times i will have high beams but no low and sometimes nothing at all. usually at startup and once they come on they will stay on the remainder of the trip. i do have a relay harness to keep the load off of the headlight switch. could this be a ground? any ideas?

 

[Keith graybeal]

If you havent replaced the light switch Id do that in a heart beat, If that dosent cure the problem id look into the wiring harness from the light switch, I noticed on one of my buddys trucks that the wires to the light switch were fried. The best thing that I have gone to is the led tail lights and marker lights. I have not had many issues with burnt wireing... . If you still have problems with headlights check if the relay is heating up, id replace that whith the healight switch...

 

[Bob4x4]

Most likely cause for your headlights being either hi or low beam intermitant would be the multi-function switch

 

[DickersonD]

I pulled the main headlight switch and it seems to be all good, no burnt wires. I have been running an suv style light harnes with 2 40 amp relays for years so the switch hasn't even carried the electrical load except to turn on the relays for at least five years. I disconected the relay harness and went back to the factory style setup and it is working now but had to pull my 100 watt hella bulbs. I will give it a few weeks and see if it screws up again. I would like to kick the dodge engineer in the nuts that designed these headlights. Had to pull the drivers side battery and get a hernia to compress the gasket enough to get the bulb retainer ring on. Will the multi function switch allow the lights to just go off while driving? Seems like most people experience a problem when changing from high to low or moving the steering column. I hate changing lightbulbs on this truck more than anything else I have had to do with it. Thanks alot for the brittle as dry leaves vacum lines dodge. I guess it is just getting too long in the tooth. 1,000,000 mile engine, 150,000 mile truck.

 

[BigPapa]

After replacing the lamps once I've had no problems. Takes @ 3 minutes. You want to talk about tough head lamp replacements try an Acadia. You have to pull the whole front fascia. Almost a $300 job at flat rate.

I was having a problem with dim headlights and found the lamp connectors were bad. Replaced both connectors and no issues since. Might give it a try. They weren't expensive.

 

[4x4_guy]

almost anything that goes wrong with the headlights is probably the headlight switch in the 2nd gen trucks

 

[MLee]

Most likely cause for your headlights being either hi or low beam intermittent would be the multi-function switch

Mine done this a while back and I went in to the Multi-function switch and checked it out and made sure all the contacts were equal, not to much lube and making good connection. No more problem, has been working great. Only thing is you need a set of security torq bits to take it a part. This worked for me.

 

[Bob4x4]

almost anything that goes wrong with the headlights is probably the headlight switch in the 2nd gen trucks

That applies to running lights-not so much on the headlights themselves,unless they are flashing which would indicate a short or weak cb internal to the switch

 

[DickersonD]

couple of weeks since I took the relay harness out of the equation and have had zero problems. headlights have worked every time. There is a relay looking thing in the harness that is not one of the two relays and it smells a little burnt. Anyone know what this might be and can you replace it. I like haveing reliable headlights but miss my 100 watt hella bulbs. May just have to buy a new relay harness. thanks everyone for your input.

 

[Cosmo]

Are the relays not replaceable?

 

[DickersonD]

Are the relays not replaceable?

yes they are but I don't believe they are the problem. Relays usually work or they don't. They usually don't operate intermitantly. Also I believe these relays operate right left not high low so only one side should be out not both. Anyone know what the relay looking thing that is not a relay is.