2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Is Hot Dimmer Dial Normal ?

[Houser]

Hi Houser Here

I have noticed since my truck was new , that the dimmer dial gets very hot to the touch when dimmed way down. Is this normal. Has any one ever heard of a dimmer causing a fire. So far no fires but the thing does get very hot.



Houser



02/HO

 

[Dkevdog]

I would say its normal. I don't know about how "hot" you're talking about, but both the one on my 96 and the one in my 01 get pretty warm if I dial the dimmer down. Yes, they have melted down, not sure about fire, but the meltdown was common enough on the 3500's (becasue of the added lights for the cab and fenders) to cause a recall for a number of model years.



Kev

 

[Bob Wagner]

its a known problem



98-02 Headlamp switch hot - normal heat dissipation from instrument light dimmer.

If it bothers you, remove the headlight switch and punch a 5/16" hole in the top of the air duct under the dimmer wheel to cool the dimmer heatsink.

 

[jtwcummins]

Dealer service nightmare-someone who dims the lites on instrument panel. The dimmer you go the more heat in the pot in switch. Real good design! Been this way forever

 

[Cobra]

dimmer switch

Oh yeah, mine gets way too hot to touch.

 

[tgbol]

The location of the dimmer switch is its biggest enemy. It has a large heat sink on the back of it, but no air flow over the heat sink. I drilled 2 5/16 holes in the top of the a/c register under neath the dimmer. Since I always have air coming out of the vent it creates an air flow over the heat sink. Very noticable change in temperature. At least half of my driving is at night, and some times 4 to 6 hours.

 

[johncameron]

Thats good to know! I wired my gauges into that circuit a few weeks ago. Guess I'll have to punch a few holes to try to keep it cool.