no tail lights or cab lights/running lights

[Monte]

but we do have head lights and turn signals. tanner jiggled the switch on the way down(maiden voyage)and they came on. . no blown fuses, . . so what do you think?? switch for headlights???? 93 dodge ,1 ton dual rear wheels, single cab. just bought her in ft worth sat morn, clean unit,but shakey start... thanks guys..... monte

 

[Thomtek5]

I had one tail light out when i bought my 92 250, the previous owner ripped out all towing accessories. - do you have dash lights?

 

[Monte]

no, no dash lights,cab lights,or tail lights... i do have turn signals,brake lights,and head lights... thanks for the quick response. . monte

 

[Monte]

also, the oil pressure gauge and speedometer dont work. . related???? monte

 

[Philip]

Most likely a head light switch. The extra lights on a dually are hard on headlight switches.



The plug that goes onto the headlight switch is known for melting also. Dodge has a replacement plug.



Most of us when we replace the melted plug install a relay into the tail/marker light circuit to take the load off the headlight switch.

 

[Monte]

where can i purchase the replacement plug??switch??? thanks, i hoping this isnt an issue and the truck is as sweet as she looks... monte

 

[btoscano]

Monte,



I have had this issue twice and both times it was NOT the headlight switch. My advise is to double check the fuses and wiring in the fuse box under the steering wheel. Your horn probably doesn't work either?



Brian

 

[BPaulsen]

Does your HORN work?

If not, it must be fuese # 4, the second fuse from left on the top line of the three fuse rows. Triple check.



If yes, first check the wiring going from the back of the fuse panel to the back of the truck,

 

[dpuckett]

Check your wiring overall on the fuesbox. Then check the wiring going to the headlight switch. Do you get a smell of hot plastic/ rubber that comes and goes? If so, you likely need a new switch. ALso, feel the plastic around the switch after a few minutes and see how warm/ cool it is. It should be as cool as the rest of the dash plastic.



Cant get just the wiring connector and pigtail at Dodge anymore- they want some exorbitant sum for the whole wiring harness. At least that's how it was a few years ago. We got one from a 96ish van from a junkyard for $10. Still in the truck.



Daniel

 

[Thomtek5]

where can i purchase the replacement plug??switch??? thanks, i hoping this isnt an issue and the truck is as sweet as she looks... monte

Its not a nightmare until you have to fork out over half of the purchase price to the Cummins Service Center! :{

My local NAPA gave me a set of wiring schematics when I bought some parts. Wiring is easy when there are no computers and stuff Oo.

 

[DVolk]

no tail lights or hed lights /running lights

my 92 does this too on rare weird ocasions as my light switch has felt warm

why i dont know a circuit braker getting warm . who knows , i just pull lights on and off real fast and they come back on , but i also hit the 4 ay flashers too just in case for some light

i wonder if its because of cab leaks , cheap wireing , why did dodge ever go back to that stupd location for the fuse box in stead of the nice glove box location???????????????

 

[MBergman]

If you get a headlight switch for a 97 Ram from Dodge, it includes the pigtail. I think the number is 4886449ab. I'll have to double check at work tomorrow.

Marc

 

[Monte]

o. k. here is the deal, sorry for not getting back with you, iced in... . new switch, headlights,horn,turn sigs,brake lights, still no auxillary, other than, now we have dash and inside cab lights..... ?????????????????????????monte

 

[steved]

Dumb question, but did you check the connector for the rear portion of the wiring harness? I know my 86 Ramcharger corroded this connector and I had intermittent lights on the rear. Should be on the firewall about where your feet would be on the floor IIRC.



I would be looking for a connector that is corroded... seen this too many times on the older trucks... dodge didn't use weather proof connectors in places they should have...



steved

 

[Monte]

o. k. , now here is the scoop,while looking at the old headlite switch, we discovered some burn't/hot spots on the connector posts, now,. . does this mean i need the pig -tail you were talking about from a 97ish vehicle???? if the black box on the switch is burned, that would mean the connecting black box is also burned. . correct? where do i need to go? junkyard? and look for a 94-97 yr pigtail? are they wired heavier??? thanks, m. w. w.

 

[dpuckett]

Monte- Not any heavier, just newer and less likely to be as corroded from age. You can also get one for a 1/2 or 3/4ton- the switches are the same, though I am only about 90% sure on that.



With the switch and truck end connector being burned/ charred/ roasted, it would seem you have found your problem.



DP

 

[Thomtek5]

Monte- if you get used parts, strip the insulation back and make sure the copper is shiny. Wires that have been overheated by too much currentget dull looking and won't conduct well across the splice(forget about solder). Same applies to your truck.

 

[sdstriper]

That switch circuit is famous for cooked wires and connectors. Is that truck wired for trailer brake controller? If a trailer brake controller is wired in and is tapped into the factory wiring instead of running seperate wiring from front to back, change it ASAP. They tend to cook without the added load on that circuit.

 

[Monte]

ordered a new 97 model switch from dodge yesterday... 92. 00 with the pigtail... . as soon as the boys in dallas send it down here to the gulf coast, i will report back... any ideas on why the oil sending unit is not working??? all looked good at each end. . and by the way the speedometer, was disconected at the dash... ... thanks guys. . monte

 

[Philip]

Our trucks have a history of oil pressure sending units going bad. It is a common problem.