Is the 2002 Dodge Ram headlight wiring a ground switched system? Meaning, does the headlight switch break or complete the groung path in order for the lights to work?

 

99% sure it controls the ground circuit.

 

It sure looks like it in the diagrams in the '02 FSM.

 

Well I had an idea to rewire the headlights to use relays instead of the factory switch. I can still do it, I just have to wire both wires through the relay now. Just a little more wiring, no big deal.

 

They run on a relay from the factory. The relay's in the PDC under the hood.

 

Hmmm. So the switch is only used to turn the relay on? That's kinda what I had planned. I will have to look into this a little further.

 

Yep, they send 'em out like that from the factory. Now where there is probably at least some room for improvement would be the wire size that's run to them, so if you could rig a new relay and new, larger wires, it would probably help.

The headlights on the non-sport models just aren't all that great, though. Once I get a few other things done, I'd like to swap over to the sport headlights. It uses quad bulbs, so there's a bit of rewiring to be done, but it's mostly pretty straightforward, I think.

 

I am running SilverStars' and they are an improvement. I checked the wires tonight and they look to be around 18 gauge maybe 16 gauge. Fog lights seem to be 18 guage.

 

If I remember my 2001 doesn't use low beam relays, only on the highbeams. Man I can't remeber for sure. I'm planning on rewiring mine also but switching to Sport headlights.

 

That's even more interesting. Low beam no relays? That is what I run 95% of the time. So I wonder if the 2002 and the 2001 are different.

 

I don't think that's true, from looking at the FSM, unless the 01 and 02 actually are different. I doubt that, though.

There is a separate relay for the high beams on the quad-beam sport setup, so that might cause some confusion.

 

There is a relay in the PDC called the "Security Relay". This is the low-beam relay.
Don't ask me why...

 

I'll look when I get home from work. I have the 01 FSM. You all got me wondering now!?