1st Gen. Ram - All Topics Discussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.

head lights went out

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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 10:57 PM
  #1  
alborada's Avatar
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From: Oregon
head lights went out

I was driving home in a rainstorm after dark and my driverside wiper arm came off so I went to turn off the wipers and dimmed the lights accidentally, when I did my headlights went out completly. I had been driving with the high beems for about 15 minutes it took about 10 seconds for the lights to come back on, what is up with that? I would like not to drive even for a few seconds without lights again what do you think happend. Were my relays hot from having Hbeams on or what?
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 11:03 PM
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From: grand junction co
if they came back on it sounds like u have a circut breaker in the system.. i guess im no help.
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 11:06 PM
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From: Calgary, Alberta
It's quite common on these trucks, that when switching from high to low beam or vice versa, that the lights go out completely upon occasion. Usually jiggling the multifunction switch (dimmer switch) lever will rectify the situation. The contacts within the multifunction switch are getting dirty/worn and a new switch will fix things. Some members have reported that spraying electrical contact cleaner liberally into the switch (around the lever) has helped, but I haven't tried this remedy.
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Old Mar 31, 2006 | 11:06 PM
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From: Commerce, OK
Most likely it's a bad headlight switch. It's a weak spot on these trucks. On mine I replaced the switch with two toggle switches. I kept the circuit breaker and the reostat for the dash lights but my lights are reliable again.

Edwin
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 10:19 AM
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From: WY
I buy my truck form the original owner w189,000, and i don't think that he ever us the high beams! The first time that i hit the high beam bam,total darkness! Hit the dimmer and thay came back on! By the time i got around to replaceing the dimmer (combo sw).......still whating for it to act up again.


I probly should replace it thow before chrysler decided to discontinue this one too!
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 08:41 PM
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From: New Holland, PA
Both the headlight switch and the dimmer (AKA multifunction) switch are available aftermarket. You are not limited to the dealer for those.
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 09:23 PM
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My headlights did the same thing the first time I pulled my gooseneck trailer.
It seems like the wiring going to the switch isnt heavy enough to handle a load with trailer lights etc.
It fried my switch.
When I took the dash apart to replace the switch I see it had been changed before so it was a mess of tape and wires.
I put LCD lights on my trailer and unhooked a few extra marker and grille lights , so hopefully it wont happen again.
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 09:54 PM
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From: WY
LCD will drop the amprage by a lot!!!!......but I would dubble check the truck/trailer wiring!!
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Old Apr 2, 2006 | 12:12 AM
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From: B.C. Canada
The trailer is fairly new and all the wires are good.
The only place there was a problem was at the switch itself.
After asking around Ive been told the wires running into the switch and the switch itself are not heavy enough to carry the extra load of a bunch of extra lights.
Trailer running boards etc.
Makes sense to me as the only time I had the troubles were when I had all my lights going which was a total of 33 lights.
Before you go 33 lights ? I can explain.................
Truck is a 1 ton flatdeck so its got the 2 parking lights , 2 aftermarket lights in the grill , 5 cab lights , 2 fender lights , 1 on each corner of the deck for a total of 4 , 5 across back of deck and 2 tailights.
The trailer has 1 on each corner for a total of 4 , 5 across the back and 4 tailights.
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