"Lamp out" dashlight and annoying dinging

[KKaminski]

Problem started about 2 weeks ago - after I got truck washed.



Issue is that VERY intermittently there was a ding - like when your leave the headlight switch on. Today - Saturday 1-31-09 - as we were driving to the local RV show, it started dinging like crazy and driving us nuts. Then we notice that the lamp out light on the dash was blinking on and off. After about 20 miles, it stayed on - and kept dinging.



All other systems running great, no other obvious problems.



Well, I got home, garaged the truck and began looking for possible solutions. I know now that the warnings come on for a faulty light or wiring. I took off the taillights and wiggled the wires, can't get a reaction.



Any ideas? Is there a way to check for the problem area via a plug in unit?

 

[Turbo1Ton]

Do a search on here for tail lamp out or lamp out chime. Basically the sockets on the tail lights burn out the bulbs and cause this issue on the 2003 model trucks. Happened to me. Driving through the mountains on the way out of Las Vegas NV. Not a fun time to have a dinger going off constantly. I ended up replacing both of the tail lamp socket bars with ones from an '05. Haven't had the problem since.

Jeff

 

[AMcCormick]

I've got the same problem, goes away for a few days and then comes back. I've smeered dialectic grease on all the connections. I will be replacing the socket bars and also greasing all connections. It is a total pain in the *** to listen to.

 

[KKaminski]

Thanks for the replies. I did check out some other sites to get a bettrer handle on this.



Most people experience this because there is a light "about to go out".



Dielectric grease seems to be the favorite along with replacing all the bulbs (so long as you have the sockets open anyway).



I'm gonna work on it today and will let everyone know later in the week whether or not I was successful.

 

[dfirlik]

I had the same problem with my 03. Each time it occured I got out to look for a lamp out but all were lit! I finally started pulling the bulbs on the back of the truck and inspecting each one. I discovered one bulb that had small signs of arcing on one of it's leads. The bulb was still functional and lit when I applied 12 volt. I replaced the bulb and the problem went away for about a year. When it reoccured, I went straight to that bulb and it again had the same signs of arcing.



Apparently that bulb's socket is playing a part in the arcing. It's been almost two years since the last occurance. The next time it occurs I'll look into fixing the socket.



Don (MI)

 

[PHenry]

I hard the same issue with my 03. I ended up replacing the taillight strip, and have not had the problem since. It is totally worth the (hopefull) restoration of sanity not to listen to the chime.

 

[KKaminski]

I have since original post, replaced all bulbs associated with this issue.



Then last night it finally hit me - the license plate lamps were NEVER working, although there must have been enough of a draw to accomplish the lamp out warning.



Yeah, it was wierd that I never paid attention to those lights until now. THey were either not glowing, or were so dim that I didn't notice.

 

[Jwskj]

Been there..... done that..... twice!



Same thing happened on my '03... . dinged on me for 300 miles on a Saturday when I was in Mexico and couldn't get to a dealer.



I finally got home and went to my dealer because I couldn't find a burned-out bulb... and was expecting my warranty coverage to pay the tab.



As it turned-out, I had a tail light bulb with a defective base. The bulb would light, but due to road vibration, the base would cause the light to malfunction, sending a signal to the sensor that I had a light out.



About 6 monthe after the first time it happened, it happened again and that time I was ready for it with a spare new bulb. I always carry an extra now.

 

[TRLRTRSH]

KK, If I remember correctly the license plate bulbs are not on the ding @7^%$ system.

I solved the problem on my truck by using a long needle nose plyers and squeezing the tabs a little closer together for a tighter fit. , It's been working for a least 5 years and I've only replaced one tail light in that time.

 

[Ladders]

Ding - Ding

Had same problem last year and replaced both light strips in the rear. Problem solved. Tore the old ones apart and found that the strips of metal are just "tied" together by plastic pins that are melted down for contact. Corrosion is the culprit so if this is a continual thing (after replacing the bulbs numerous times), then replace the strips. Cheaper on-line than the (s)dealer price (that is if you still have one in the area).



Gud Luk... ...

 

[MillerR]

I had this same issue and the fix was found on here. What happens is the wires on the taillights get hot and melt into the plastic, creating a bad connection. One fix is to bend the wires out, creating a tighter fit. Another would be to pinch the connectors like mentioned above, again creating a tighter fit. I'm not sure if this is caused by the strips or not, or how the '03 strips are different from later models. I've only had this problem on my truck once though. Bending the wires fixed it for about 3 years now, no re-0ccurance. I've also had the same problem on my wife's '03 1500 and fixed it again by bending the wires out. -Trey

 

[BarlowCummins]

I had the same problem about a month ago. That damn dinging is the annoying things I have ever delt with. Mine went off and on for a about a week and I could not find any bulbs burnt out or dim. Then one of my tail light bulbs burnt out, the only thing I can think is that some how that dinger knew it was going to go out soon. Maybe the bulb was giving some signal that the dinger picked up? I'm not sure why or how the dinger knew but it drove me crazy.

 

[TFrazier]

Just re-iterating what others have said on here. I too had this problem on my 03. everytime i checked the lights they all worked fine. eventually i pulled the tail lights to check connection and tried to squeeze the clips together that hold the buld but i broke the plastic tab. i ended up buying a new socket strip because of this and the problem went away for almost a year. when it came back i replaced th other side and havent had the problem since (about a year now). hope you get it fixed soom as that noise is enough to drive a man insane.

 

[KKaminski]

I ultimately had to replace all light bulbs front & back. Cost $30. 00 but well worth the experience - seeing as how I had nothing better to do on that cold day in February.



God!!!!!!!!!!! it's almost June, how time flies.