I purchased a 2002 ram 2500 cummins 4x4 last night with 81k, and noticed right before I drove off the lot that the tail lights did not work, the brake lights came on, as well as the turning signals, but no running lights. But thinking I can fix the issue I decided to make the 70 mile drive back home and fix it then. Once I got home I replaced the fuse under the hood for the break lights, and every time I would turn the lights on it would throw a fuse, this goes even after I removed the 60amp towing relay and put in a 25 fuse to see what would happen. I am not in any way having buyers remorse because I cummins is a cummins, but I expected the gremlins to come about after a few months, not after the truck had just passed a state saftey inspection on 12/14. The gague cluster does not light up either, neither do any of the other internal blue indigo lights for the radio, air con, but the door switch lights do, I replaced some fuses and still nothing. Luckily the guy I bought it from is a good ol' boy, and said he'd fix all of it at the dodge dealership because he wanted to sell me a truck that was up to par for him. I would however like to fix the tail light issue because I have to commute to work in the dark every morning, and thus would be driving with no running lights. please help me out, I'll try anything, I know a fair share about electrical systems, and would really appreciate any help you guys would have for me!! Thank you and much obliged.

 

Check and see if your number plate lights are working.They can short and cause the fuse to blow ,btdt till I put in a new light.

 

Thanks for the advice Don T, after further reviewing the situation it looks like the previous owner had hardwired a second aux trailer wiring harness that was hard wired into the main electrical system that runs under the drivers side frame rail. My guess is that it was probably for a 5th wheel or a camper. However the wiring job gave me the chills as I unravelled the electrical tape it was no wonder why it had shorted out, and therefore incapacitated the gague cluster and running lights. After a good while of unsplicing, souldering, and re-insulating everything seems to be operating perfectly. I did check the license plate lights however and noticed that both bulbs were fried, as were the running light filaments on both tail-lights bulbs, my guess is that a pretty un-experienced and untrained person got their hands on it. After going over all the relays, fuses and most electrical wires in the truck I am now much more well aquainted with the truck, and am less worried about electrical gremlins taking over my new pride and joy. Thanks again!

 

codyguy

Glad to see you got it back working. I had my lights go out this week also. That turned out to be the center cab light had water inside the light and caused a short. most times I have light problems its the connection for my fiver under the bumper. I clean and get everything working great. I think I will move the plug to inside the box so it will be out of the weather and make a long cord so when I use the dump trailer I can plug it into the same plug.Where I live SALT causes a lot of problems with wires.