2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission very fast signal blinking tail light out

[pdxkevinc]

This is probably a really dumb questions, sorry. I don't want to throw a bunch of best guesses at this though. I have a 98. 5 Quad cad 4x4 and the righ turn signal

flashes VERY fast, and there is no turn signal or running light back there. I haven't pulled the cover off. Tell me, should I stop by and get a replacement, or am I going to have to put my tester in the socket to see if it is still getting juice? Is this a convenience notification that the light is out (no resistance) ?

 

[Thomas]

"Is this a convenience notification that the light is out (no resistance) ?"





Yes.

 

[scotmartin]

I fixed the same problem today! New bulb didn't help because it was the socket that went bad. Had to buy the wiring harness that includes both sockets from the dealer for $55. You will need to remove the two TORX screws after opening the tail gate. Pull the tail light assembly directly toward the rear (not to the side) because there are two alightment pins that you might break. Pretty easy job overall.



Scot

 

[Silver_Ram]

I had the fasst blinker 3 weeks ago & it was just a burned out tail light bulb. Most of the vehicles built after 1996 have the fast blinker when a bulb burns out.

 

[Thomas]

"... (no resistance) ?"



Actually it's higher than normal resistance The usual cause is no bulb filament in the circuit, but replacing the conventional bulb with an LED device, broken wires, and socket problems can cause the quick blink.

 

[tp0d]

Thomas:



I was wondering about the effect of an LED bulb on our trucks. . I was thinking of transitioning over to them, and read that an additional load resistor may need to be installed. . How does that jive with the high resistance theory? Hmm mebe adding a 1ohm 10watt prior to the bulb in series would do it. . hmm. . I`m just wonderin the cost of doin the LED replacement. . might be kinda pricey. .



-j

 

[Thomas]

Wiring in series would only add to the resistance. I think you want the resistor in parallel.



Check out this thread especially the post by Shelby Griggs. Shelby has a custom bed on his rig with LED lighting. He has been looking for the solution to the OEM electronic flasher fast-blink issue for a long time. A search for other posts by Shelby Griggs can probably yield more information.

 

[WestTN]

If you have a flasher unit made for towing applications, the blink rate is independent of the load. It will operate at the same rate even if there are no bulbs in the sockets. This is the type in the truck if factory equipped with a towing package.

 

[Thomas]

If you have a flasher unit made for towing applications, the blink rate is independent of the load. It will operate at the same rate even if there are no bulbs in the sockets. This is the type in the truck if factory equipped with a towing package.

What year truck are you referring to?



I think you'll find but one flasher (P/N 56007348) used in later second generation Rams, tow-package equipped or not. I believe early second generation trucks had two flasher units, one for the turn signals and one for the emergency flashers. The factory service manual in talking about the operation of these single-flasher-equipped trucks, including your 2001 Ram, describes the rapid flash rate experienced when the flasher "senses" a non-operating bulb. The FSM also states that the integrated circuitry in the flasher attempts to compensate for any additional electrical load, such as when towing, to keep the flash rate relatively constant. I have experienced the same rapid flash, alerting me to a blown brake light filament on my OEM tow packaged equipped 2000 Ram.