I've had the headlights/ tail lights go off independently at various times. When the head lights go out, I'm still able to hold the brights/wiper tree back and have lights, or use hazards to keep my rear lit in the dark.

currently my dashlights, tail lights, and rear lic plate lamps are out simultaneously.

3 or four distinct things have turned them off or back on (either headlights or tail)
1. opening/closing the hood (has turned them on and off)
2. bumping the light switch plunger radially (turned them back on)
3. turning the blower motor off (turned them back off)
4. cursing loudly (did nothing at all)

I've observed more with the headlights than tail lights for obvious reasons.

Any ideas?

 

First thing I would do is clean all the connections and grounds and give them a light coat of dielectric grease. Also check for loose wires.

 

Our trucks are noted for burning out the wiring plug on the head light switch. Sounds like yours is toasted.

The plug is N/A from Dodge now. You can use a 94+ plug as a replacement. The plug is the same. A couple of wire colors did change in 94. Just wire in new plug by wire position in the plug.

Replace the head light switch also. You will find terminals loose from the burnt plug problem.

Look in the sticky's for the thread about moving marker lights onto a relay. That will stop the wiring plug problem.

 

As others have said check and clean all grounds. DONT use the dash light dimmer in the head light switch. I wiped out 2 aftermarket switches (their junk).

You want to put the headlights on relays, this will increase the the voltage to the headlights and remove the amperage from the switch. I did it and HUGE difference in the brightness of all lights. Here the link to Jim Lanes write up in the sticky.
https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...relays-176263/

Stu

 

"You want to put the headlights on relays," I agree best advice.
and install larger grounds at least #14.

 

thanks. I thought about the relays.

oly_fab, when you say don't use the dimmers, do you mean leave them all the way up? would i be ok using the factory dash dimmer once I have the headlights on relays?