tntshrekuk

So I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500. It has the 5.9 turbo cummings. I have no back up lights at all. They haven't worked in the 4 years I have had the truck. there is a tow hitch.

Also I added a second set of driving lights to my truck,(I have done this with all my trucks in the past with no problem) and now the driving lights come on for a few seconds/minutes then go out. I unwired the new lights and the factory ones still do the same thing. The thing is they didn't do this before I put the second set on.

Anybody have any ideas.

xtoyz17

Did you check for blown fuses? It's possible aftermarket trailer wiring could be shorting something out and blowing fuses, it happened to me. Every time I hooked to a trailer if I put the truck in reverse the fuse would pop.

Did you wire the driving lights in on a relay? Or did you wire it off the factory switch? The factory switch isn't designed for any extra current draw (or stock for that matter). If you wired it off the switch odds are good you fried it.

tntshrekuk

Yeah I checked for blown fuses for both. I did wire the extra lights to the factory switch. I have done this before with no problem. I guess I got lucky. I am thinking it's the relay because all the other lights still work but I don'n know for sure.

xtoyz17

I'd start with the switch. See if someone has a switch to you can test before you start buying parts.

You may very well have had good luck on other vehicles, but dodge rams are notorious for having extra small wiring and a switch that over heats with too much draw through it (even in stock form, the switch gets REALLY hot).

The best way to wire anything aftermarket on these trucks is through a relay, otherwise you run the risk of melting wiring or ruining the switch.

Only other thing I can think of is your reverse switch, maybe thats bad? I don't know how to test them though...

GAmes

If you have A Dodge, the engine is built by Cummins. CumminGs is owned by Ford

Testing the reverse switch is easy. It is on or off. Pull it out and check for continuity when the plunger is pushed in. If it is good, look for a broken wire.

V Baker

You can test the circut by pulling the three wire plug from the nutral safety switch,at the transmission.Use a jumper wire between the two light wires,and turn on your ignition.If your lights come ,then it was the switch,if not look elsewhere.

Moose10

I've never understood how SO MANY people make that mistake.....it boggles my mind Especially people that drive one

V Baker

"OK", This is not a spelling bee,give the guy a break,he has a problem with his lights!

Gary Emerald

I'd go ahead and replace the switch... fairly common. you can get it at your local auto parts store. had to replace the one on my '98 last year

tntshrekuk

Yeah Yeah Yeah. I can't spell...So sue me. Thanks for the info.

dennhop

As far as the reverse lights go, get one of those circuit testers at autozone, and just test the wiring starting at the socket back. Maybe it's the socket itself is bad, and the wiring is good to it, maybe not. But if you do that and methodically move up the wiring harness, you should find out where you're losing power...