No headlights on 96 Ram

[dwkidd70]

Both headlights went out on my 96 Ram at the same time. I replaced both bulbs and they are still not working. Looking in the Electrical Power Distribution Center box under the hood there is a 40 amp #7 fuse that regulates the Stop/Headlight. This also controls the ABS too, correct ? When I take the fuse out my ABS light comes on in the dash so that tells me that fuse is working. So am I looking at a wiring problem ?

Thanks, 96 Rammer

[dwc43]

Most likely the dimmer switch has gone bad.

[TK]

oh yeah, to check the dimmer switch(kinda) pull it back, if the lights flash, its probably not bad.
I would buy a new headlight switch, they havnt changed it since 68 (except for cab light) mine goes out every year or so, has since i owned the truck (95)

[Dick]

Originally Posted by dodgetkboy78

oh yeah, to check the dimmer switch(kinda) pull it back, if the lights flash, its probably not bad.
I would buy a new headlight switch, they havnt changed it since 68 (except for cab light) mine goes out every year or so, has since i owned the truck (95)

Tk, a couple of things come to mind:

Do you have auxiliary (aftermarket) lighting on your truck?

Do you "dim" the panel lights at night?

The reason I ask, is because either situation may cause the switch to overheat and fail. I have 191K on my truck with the original switch.

[TK]

YES I DO!
bigger brighter blue lights for driving in the snow, plow lights, and i pull a trailor, plus, as a precaution, anytime the truck is running, i turn the lights on, and that can be a long time!!!! just a few days ago, i started her up at 5:00, and didnt shut her off till 11:00, there have been times, i have went up north where the temp is 40 to 60 below, and it idles all night, all day, and the lights are always on.i would say it runs with the lights on an average of 8 hrs a day all year, its warming up right now!!

[dwkidd70]

Thanks guys,
All lighting is from the factory with no aftermarket and I do not dim the panel lights at night.It probably is the dimmer because the high beams are working. Local dealer is not much help around here. How much of the column has to come apart for repair ?

Thanks again

[TK]

oh yeah, dont forget up here, like in january, there is only 6 or less hours of daylight!

[Dick]

Originally Posted by dodgetkboy78

oh yeah, dont forget up here, like in january, there is only 6 or less hours of daylight!

Thanks for "shedding a little light on the subject"! Does the term "severe use" apply here? LOL At least you're not bitchin' about the "cheap" light switch Dodge uses. You have definitely raised the bar on this one.

[TK]

no Dick, its a good light switch, i just abuse mine
you will probably never hear me "bitch" about anything on this truck, its use is more likely compared to a semi than your average pick up
well, i wish the seats werent so wore.
heres one for ya, not to get off topic, but, ive gone thrue 3 fuel pumps in 185,000mi, thats how much idle/plow time it gets! and, the timing chain is origonal, never had to even clean the throttlebody, no gaskets/seals and she doesnt leak a drop. tranny was 618 converted like 150,000 ago, i rebuilt the t case this december, along with the front end, and the rear end? flawless! even has the origonal u joints in the rear driveline!!!
so, if you ever see me get a little agitated at someone saying these trucks are shit, youll know why!
oh, i have maintenance records since 32,000, want me to post them?

[Dick]

Originally Posted by dodgetkboy78

oh, i have maintenance records since 32,000, want me to post them?

We probably don't have enough bandwidth on this forum. LOL


Your comments are very worthwhile on the subject of what is considered normal use of a vehicle. We have all read posts by guys who beat the snot out of their trucks and whined because stuff broke or wore out. Their alibi is "That's what I bought it for", without any consideration of what DC "built it for". Everything comes with a price and sometimes the price is new parts, over and over again.

[joe ramirez]

Replace your headlight switch. Cost 85.00.
After many hours and the help of my auto shop students, we figured out it was the headlight switch. No body in the service community including dodge techs could tell me what was wrong. 195,000 miles on truck.

[Dick]

Originally Posted by joe ramirez

Replace your headlight switch. Cost 85.00.
After many hours and the help of my auto shop students, we figured out it was the headlight switch. No body in the service community including dodge techs could tell me what was wrong. 195,000 miles on truck.

I imagine he has fixed it by now, since it is almost a year later.

[TK]

And, a switch is about forty bucks here......................

Speaking of..................I put another switch in my truck this morning! LOL!

[philg]

I bought an aftermarket loom, after measuring the voltage drops in the stock system - http://www.moparchat.com/forums/show...t=51817&page=2 There's no wonder the stock switches don't last with the power that's being dissipated by the contacts.

[cageman]

Is it really the same swithc that is in my sweptlines, Crazy.

I turned my lights on yesterday morning and they didnt come on, I turned my driving lights on and the driving lights worked and I drove off, The headlights turned on about a mile down the road. Looks like I have a lazy something, I tried the high beams and they didnt work either. It just popped on.

I had to put new front wheel bearings the other day. I was driving and I heard a metallic clicking, I got out and grabbed the rear driveline and it wasnt that, So I put it in gear and started driving, I shut the truck off and coasted for a while and I zeroed it too the front and I opened the door and hung out under the front door and I thought it was the front drivers wheel, I pulled the wheel and the brakes looked fine, pulled the dust cap and outer bearing, fine too, I pulled the rotor off and the inner bearing had a roller that was busted and tering the crap out of the race. to think, 190 thousand miles and the bearing gave out. I cant believe it, what crap. Just kiddin!
I put new bearings in the front wheels and she is good now.

[BillyBob]

Only 190K for a wheel bearing..................I know of timing chains that last longer than that

[Dick]

Originally Posted by BillyBob

Only 190K for a wheel bearing..................I know of timing chains that last longer than that

BB, are you trying to whammy my timing chain again?

[BillyBob]

I would never think of such a dastardly thing

[Readdy]

To Guy that has no lights , the switch on my 95 Dodge was bad,>>>
Dodge recall that switch , they would melt , they get you the wires too
the wires are a bigger gauge too, its chrysler problem.....
hope this help you.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Rodd