2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission parking lights will not shut off

[boliver]

I have a 01 2500 SB 4x4, i was hooking up a new brake control the other day and found that in the fuse box under the hood fuse #8 40amp was blown. I replaced the fuse and now when I turn the lights on they will not shut off. I can remove the fuse and everything works fine. the headlight switch has been replaced thinking that might be the problem but it still does it. I also removed the brake control and with a good fuse in the fuse box the lights won't shut off. Does anyone have any Ideas on what might be the problem?

 

[B.G. Smith]

I believe the #8 fuse is related to the trailer tow package. You might check the trailer receptacle at the rear bumper, especially if you live where salt is used on the roads. bg

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

Fuse 8 supplies the power to the B+ (battery, or constant hot) in the receptacle, as well as the trailer's running/parking lights via the trailer/tow relay in the PDC. Assuming there is no trailer connected... Are the lights that are stuck on the low element (parking) or the high element (turn/brake)? How do the turn signal, 4 way flashers, and brake lights function when the lights are stuck on? When the lights are "stuck" in the on position, remove the trailer/tow relay to see if the lights go off. Swap it with one of the other identical relays. When you disconnected the brake controller did you disconnect at the controller or the plug under the dash? Was the brake controller cable Dodge specific or a universal one? How about the trailer plug? Factory tow package or a universal one scotch-locked to the factory harness?

How long have you had the vehicle and have you towed with it before? Any previous indication as to why fuse 8 was blown?
As BG stated, check the plug for cleanliness and proper connections.
Insure the wiring was done correctly if an aftermarket harness was used.
Cycle the 4 way flasher switch several times to insure a good contact.
Swap the tow relay.

 

[boliver]

when the lights are stuck on everything functions fine other then the lights will not turn off. I pulled the relay and the problem is still there, and the trailer brake was disconnected from the factory plug under the dash. I am not the original owner of the truck, and the only thing that looks out of place is at one time someone had extra radio stuff wired in, I was thinking that might be the problem.

 

[mwilson]

Does or did this truck have a remote starter??? Those systems turn the parking lights on when you push the remote to start the truck. That could be some of the excess wiring under the dash.

Have seen those malfunction before.

Just a thought.



Mike.

 

[boliver]

As far as I know it doesn't, if it did do you know what color the wire is?

 

[mwilson]

The junk (Remote Start) I removed from ol' E-Bay had a pair of relays and a small plastic control box in the vicinity of the parking brake under the dash and a small antenna inside along the top of the windshield.



The control box/relay combo was wired into the parking lights at the light switch and was also wired into a couple of wires for power and starter control under the steering column.



Don't remember any wiring colors.



Maybe your truck never had one, just thought it would be worth a look if you had extra stuff under the dash and it definitely would involve the parking light circuit.



Mike.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

when the lights are stuck on everything functions fine other then the lights will not turn off. I pulled the relay and the problem is still there, and the trailer brake was disconnected from the factory plug under the dash. I am not the original owner of the truck, and the only thing that looks out of place is at one time someone had extra radio stuff wired in, I was thinking that might be the problem.

Darn. Still broke with the tow relay pulled shot one theory down. Two areas come to mind. One is a bad ground and possibly a bad bulb filament (crossed over to the other terminal) or circuit in the turn signal unit (part of the multifunction switch); the other is a bad/crossed connection in the tow receptacle or wiring harness.