96_12V

Truck is the 1996 3/4 ton in my sig. I noticed while driving in the rain yesterday that although the headlight switch was pulled all the way out, only my parking lights were on. Looked at it at a fuel station a few miles later and the headlights were ON. Tried driving after the fireworks last night, the headlights would not come on, however the high beams would come on. Drove home on high beams (good timing for that, eh?)

Swapped a third bulb in today after finding the same - no low beams, high beams only. Same thing. Played with the switch a little and heard some clicking- and the low beams started working again. Not good to not be able to trust them. The manual states as "additional circuit protection" "The headlamp system has a circuit breaker as part of the switch assembly." Great - does this affect low-beams only? Could this be what was clicking that I heard? Could this be the problem? I have heard of recalled parts on the lights/swiching systems of these trucks, anyone else know about this? Thanks in advance for your help!

TxDiesel007

Just a thought,

Lamp fuse went out? possibly you have a short in the system which causes the malfunction... look into that.., the clicking could be some sort of a relay im guessing, but im clueless to be honest with u, id try the fuses in the powerbocx first to see if that solves the issue..

Tx

infidel

It's quite common f you don't use the high beams very much that dirt gets in the switch and causes intermitant lights.
I've found that just switching back and forth from high to low several times corrects the problem for a long time, the lights don't even need to be on for this to work.
You could also try contact cleaner at the base of the multi funtion switch (turn signal) as this is likely where the problem is coming from.

96_12V

Thanks for the tips. I ran by the dealer, it's a common problem, the multi-fucntion switch is going bad. $85 for the part, but you have to remove the airbag & steering wheel to install, so it goes in first thing tomorrow to have this replaced. About $210 total but better than an airbag "blowing up in my face."

infidel

Be forwarned, it will happen again as soon as the dirt builds up in the MF switch.
Replacement switches are the same as the old ones.
I first lost my lights about seven years ago, have never replaced the switch, just flipping the brights off and on occasionally has kept it from ever happening again.
Know several others who have had the same problem, flipping cured theirs also.

96_12V

infidel,

Thanks! Your advice could not come at a better time. With a new job about three weeks away, having just graduated from grad school, I really don't have an extra $210 to plunk down right now. I will try the flip-to-clean idea for a while, and replace it when I have the time and $$$ later. I did play with it a bit earlier, and it seems to be working well now. I do know it seems always to work on high beams as a back-up. Is there any potential fire risk with this problem and the "temporary solution?"

ram29

I had the same problem in my truck a week ago. Took the headlight switch off and one of the terminals on the plug was melted to the switch. I bought another switch and wiring harness and replace both and now the lights work just fine. One more note, switching from low to high beams did nothing for me. I was told by our dealer that they thought there was a recall for the headlight switch on the 3500's. Not sure about that. We also had a 1996 3500 that did the same thing and replacing the switch and harness fixed it too. We got ours from a wrecking yard if that'll help ya any.

infidel

96_12V, believe me I wouldn't lead you astray on this one. My own experience about stained my seat when I went to dim my brights for an incoming car and was suddenly in the dark. Must have scared the other guy just as bad having me disappear then reappear with high beams a few moments later.
Get in habit of clicking the MF switch back and forth a few times when you start up in the morning, it's lack of use rather than a failed switch that is the problem. If this doesn't prevent the lights from failing again as I believe it will replace the MF immediately.

killfast1

Mine did this also. I sprayed the column swith really good with WD-40 and worked the switch for a while . This cleared it up and I have not had any problems since. Prior to spraying, I worked the switch alot and it was still interminten.

2500Ram

I'm no expert by anyones opnion but wd-40 would only cause dust and dirt to collect more. Maybe it worked well for you but I wouldn't be sparying stuff on my switch. Maybe take apart and use some lithium (sp) greese or electrical contact spray.

killfast1

Once WD-40 evaperates it just leaves the silicone that is in it on the parts. Cleans really well also.