Hello Guys,
Last night I picked up a boat, just plugged in the trailer, all running lights were working on the truck and the trailer. Went about 1/2 block, and my interior lights, running lights, and the trailer lights all went out. My emergency flashers were still working.


Does anyone have any suggestions as to what it may be ??

I would think if it was the headlight switch that it wouldn't have happened so fast from the time I hooked the trailer up etc.

Thanks,
Steve

 

There is a recall for headlight switch for your truck. Call dealer so they can run your vin to see if it was done. Refer to Recall RC-819-99 recalls have no expiration no matter how old or how many miles are on your truck.

 

unplug your boat and look for a blown fuse first. then look for a dead short

 

Hello,
Thanks for the response. I have unplugged the boat, and replaced the 40 Amp Headlight fuse, and the 40 amp trailer fuse, still the same results. Any other fuses that I am missing ??


Big Iron- Thanks so much for the recall info. Do you think they woud give me any grief if i am not the original owner ??
Thanks,

 

Yes, you missed the 15 amp fuse in the fuse panel, left side of the dash, bottom row. It powers all the lights you lost and the relay for the trailer lights that is under the hood.

 

Recalls are free no matter how many owners or miles.

 

GAmes,

I really hope that it ends up being the 15 amp fuse. I dropped the truck off over the weekend at the dealer (prior to getting to a computer), they informed me today that according to the VIN, there is no recalls If it is just the 15 amp fuse then it is going to be an expensive 1 because they are charging me 97 bucks for diagnostics

 

Did they say there were no recalls or that they had all been performed?
I know for sure there were recalls on '97s.
Might want to check for yourself by entering your VIN here http://www.chrysler.com/webselfservi...m('R')

 

So. Did you pay $97 for a 15 amp fuse or was there a real problem?

 

I believe the recall was only for the 3500 models. Apparently Dodge feels that the 2 extra fender lights per side, and the 3 DOT lights on the back added to the load on the switch. Guys with 2500's like me, had to buy the switch...

Jim

 

The recall was only for some 1997 models before a certain production date. Mine was 2 months out of that time period, even thou it was the same switch, same problem, they would not cover it. If the dealer searched for it and did not find any thing, that may be why.

 

You forgot the 5 lights on the cab. The man date on mine was 2/97, no recall. Didn't matter, the only one that I've had fail was around 250k which included a lot of night driving. There is one wire that is discolored, no melting. I did read on another forum to drill some ventilation holes in the top of the vent that is under the switch, so that may have helped.

The only recalls that applied to mine were the throttle rod ends and something about the windshiel washer reservoir that I never did have done.

 

Yep, they told me when I dropped it off that if no recalls were found it would be $97.00 for the diagnostic check, sure enought they just replaced the 15 amp fuse at $11.97, and plus the full diagnostic fee etc.

I was on a super tight schedule and had checked the 40 Amp fuses under the hood but, wasn't even aware of the 15 amp fuse would be the one controlling those etc.

 

I rewired all the parking/running lights on my dually.
The only power coming through the headlight switch for them is to activate a relay.
They are now powered by a 12v source out of my Painless Wiring fuse panel through a relay.
They are wired through a Momentary Contact switch (normally closed) on the dash so I can "wink" the running lights to thank a driver for letting me merge.

From dodgeram.org

 

Proudpapa, I feel your pain with the diagnostic fee. My wife is out of state and her battery gave up. She ended up paying $200 at a dealer for a new one because they charged a full hour fee to test the battery.

It looks like the trailer you hooked up has a short, but it seems like it would pop the under hood fuse.

I wired my trailer light circuit to a heavy duty, fused, toggle switch, but have never had any real heating problems with the truck lights. About a year ago I found some plug in LEDs for the rear fenders and a few months ago I installed the LED tail lights that were discussed on this forum. Next will be LED cab lights (about 7 of them) and I would like to find a source for LED front marker/turn signals.