Archived No Headlights!

[SOOT]

I have no headlights on my truck. The parking lights work but the headlights don't I have checked all fuses and the wiring. They will come on and go off without warning, rather annoying at night. I have a painless wiring fuse block on it but that did not effect anything when i hooked it up the first time, it just started doing this. I am also in West Texas right now and will be headed back to Wyoming at the end of the week, so I have to have lights.

 

[jmeehan]

Have you checked the ground wire? My '01 is wired differenly then your '97 so I cann't tell you where it would be, or if there's one per light or one for both.

Or is the headlight switch going out? I know there's a TSB on the headlight switchs on some of these trucks, but which trucks and which TSB I couldn't tel you.

 

[farmall]

I would bet it's the headlight switch. I just went through this on my 92'. I ordered a late model headlight switch and harness assembly for a 2nd gen. and installed it. My symptoms were exactly like yours, except my headlights would work and not my parking lights. If you do a search of the rchives you will find the part number for it. I gave $65. 06 for the switch and harness. Bill

 

[jerryrigg]

Don't know if this applies to yours but



Recall #819

1994-1997 (BR) Dodge Ram 3500 Series

NOTE: This recall applies only to 3500 series trucks built through October 21, 1996 (MDH 1021XX).



Headlight switch overheats and lights go out maybe cause a fire as well... . they install new switch and parking light relay for the fix. .

 

[Missouri Mule]

MMclain,

Ground for lights should be on fender well behind lights.



If a ground is lost because of loose ground/ broken wire/ bad connection your High Beam indidcator will come on. ( AT least they have had them set to come on for about 30 years)



Head light switch going out usually has slight odor of burning plastic for a few days /weeks unless it goes out suddenly then there will be a strong odor of burning plastic and smoke.



Also check high/low beam switch it mite being going out . Usually it will default to high beam but if it melts enough it will take both high and low out.



I go with power problem; broken wires/bad connections/ bad switches if high beam indicator doesn't come on. You can check your head lights too while you are at it. Start at headlights and go towards dash. (Use a good trouble light with probe).

 

[SOOT]

Thanks for the ideas. I will be headed to south TX Tomorrow, Tuesday, in my Mom's truck but will be back to try ya'lls ideas on Friday.



BTW, if I pull on the dimmer switch it will turn on the high beams as long as I hold it otherwise nothing:{

 

[Extreme1]

Relay?



The dimmer switch has me thinking it's the relay. Sorry, I'm not sure where it is. Try in the power distribution under the hood on the driver's side. You could switch the headlight relay with another to check it...

 

[msimmons]

Based upon your description and the fact that the high-beams will flash with the turn signal lever held I suspect you have a bad multifunction switch. This is pretty easy to replace, takes about a half hour.



Remove the tilt lever (if applicable)

Remove steering column shroud (#20 Torx)

Loosen connector lcoking screw (1/4" hex)

Disconnect wiring connector

Remove multifunction switch (#20 Tamperproof Torx)



Reverse procedure to reinstall



The only tricky part are the tamperproof Torx screws on the switch itself. If you don't have a tamperproof Torx bit, get one before you start

Hope this helps!



Chryco Service Manager

 

[SOOT]

Thanks for the ideas. I finnally got the chance to pull the headlight switch out and the plug looked like somebody had held a torch to it Means I have to buy a new switch and plug:{ The nearest dealer to this town here in west TX I am in is 90 miles one way