tail light problems on 03 Dodge 3500

[Blaze]

the right rear tail light is giving problems, the lamp out indicator chimes and the message- lamp out appears- sometimes, the signal light part of the tail light flashes as normal, the next time it won't flash. I have had the light out and replaced the bulb but that seemed to make no difference. I had read an artical in the magazine about this problem some time ago but I can not seem to find it again, maybe someone could tell me which issue it was in, I hope it isn't in one of the issues I have lent out.

Thanks

Blaze

 

[p-Bar]

Problem is dissimilar metals were used for the contacts to the bulb Dodge has upgraded these for a cost of course.

 

[Wingate]

yep!!!. . Fought the same issue on my sons 03 Ram. .

If you ever wanted to change to LED's. . now would be a great time... . I think LMC truck carries them.

 

[jelag]

Sometimes LED's don't draw enough current to prevent the light and chime from coming on... . We've gotten a tube of dielectric grease, cleaned the connections, greased them and that usually takes care of it for the life of the bulb... .

Our other issue with LED's is in the winter... there isn't enough heat to keeps snow from drifting onto the lens and keeping it melted off so the guy behind you can see your tail/stop lights as needed... .

 

[Wingate]

Our other issue with LED's is in the winter... there isn't enough heat to keeps snow from drifting onto the lens and keeping it melted off so the guy behind you can see your tail/stop lights as needed... .

That would be a GREAT problem to have..... Unfortunately, we don't have that issue around here. .

What is "SNOW"? Where do you buy it?. . and What does it look like??????

Is "snow" the ripples you see coming off the asphalt when the air temp is 102 degrees and about 90% humidity, and its only 9 AM?????

hahahahaa.....

Its another wonderful spring day in TEXAS!

 

[Bigiron]

Had the same problem on my 03. I chased it around for 6 months. Changed bulb with one from the local parts store but did not help. Went to NAPA and got the good stuff, all new bulbs for the rear with dielectric grease and electric spray cleaner. Cleaned and greased all bulbs and installed bulbs and my problem went away.

 

[jelag]

I buy the dielectric grease we use from Del City - Wiring Products and Professional Electrical Supplies We get connectors, heat shrink tubing, relays, and other wiring products... . I'm sure someone like a local auto parts store would have it... its just easier to purchase from this vendor...

 

[Yo Hoot]

I put LEDS in. Had to install resistors.

#ad


Then I drilled a hole in the lens directly in front of the LED tail light and epoxied in a blue led.

#ad

 

[Bigiron]

Just remembered I had a problem with my 97. It was the same thing with the taillights, I work with a guy that used to be a mechanic at the Dodge Dealer and he said to check the trailer plug at the back of the truck. The wires in the trailer plug had corroded and the BATT line was cross feeding the other lights intermittently so they would stay on sometimes, then off and that was it on that one. Worth a look. Good luck.

 

[Shadrach]

That would be a GREAT problem to have..... Unfortunately, we don't have that issue around here. .

What is "SNOW"? Where do you buy it?. . and What does it look like??????

Is "snow" the ripples you see coming off the asphalt when the air temp is 102 degrees and about 90% humidity, and its only 9 AM?????

hahahahaa.....

Its another wonderful spring day in TEXAS!

Want snow come visit us in Jan. ( or almost any month for that matter :-laf )

So how much daylight do you get this time of year. Officially sunrise here today was at 5:05 AM sunset at 22:07PM. You can't beat that ( unless you're in Alaska ) Shadrach

 

[TFrazier]

Not sure if it helps but i had a similar problem in my truck except the lamp out indicator would only occasionally flash but the chime would go almost constantly. I tried replacing the bulbs but the problem never consistently went away until i replaced the little circuit board the lights plug into. Once i replaced those i havent had a problem with them again, been about 2 years now.

 

[Blaze]

Thanks for the advise, I tried the dielectric grease with new bulbs in both the signal and brake light positions and the problem seems to have dissapeared. I will do the same to the left side to be on the safe side.

Blaze