This morning the fog was thick so I had my fog lights on. There wasnt much traffic on the road cause it was so early. I came to a stop sign and there was a car coming the other way. When I passed them up I thought, I seems dark out. Then I noticed I was running off of the fog lights ONLY. So I turned the switch back to only parking lights and then back to headlights but no go. Then I just left it on parking/ fog lights. Then my mind is going, whats the odds of loosing both headlights at the same time? Then I realized that I also didnt even have brights, but I could get them to come on if I used them to flash. This whole episode lasted for about 5 miles untill I decided to switch the headlights switch back over to headlights and now I got lights? Weird! For what reason would this happen and I'm just glad I wasnt cruising down the highway with my family were this could have gone really wrong! As paranoid as I am about possible problems with the truck, via thanks to all these Dodge Cummins web sites, I dont need this. I would almost have whatever just break instead of torment me with possible let downs at any givin time. Then I can at least fix it. I really dont even know what to look for.

 

99% of the time,,,, it's the multi-function switch (turn signal, hi-lo beam). Some folks have been able to work the switch back and forth between hi and lo beam and the contacts will get cleaned enough to start working properly again. Some folks end up replacing the switch.

 

Most likely culprit is the multi function switch.
Yes, the combination turn signal, high beam, windshield wiper and washer, all rolled into one.

Other thing could be: Doesn't Dodge have it set up so you can't use the factory fog lights at the same time as the headlight brights? or is this on Canadian trucks with daytime running lights?


phox

 

Your right, you arent supposed to be able to run the fog lights and the high beams together but you can use a jumper to take care of that. I believe it is a DOT thing about legality issues on how many lights you can run at one time. But anyway I wasnt running them together.
What is the multi-function switch? How do you replace it? Is it spendy? (stupid question). I thought it may have been the light switch on the dash. Seemed logical to me. Guess I was wrong.

 

That's what they call the turn-signal lever that controls the signals,, wipers,, and hi-lo beams. Do a on multi-function switch and you should be able to find more info.

 

It's the multi-function switch causing your problems. It only does it to me if I don't switch between hi and low beams for quite some time but has always recovered after multiple switching back and forth. Been going on for years. I've never replaced it feeling that a new switch would probably do the same thing eventually.

 

Big pain to replace -- have to remove the steering wheel and tear into the column. The airbag system scares me too much to get excited about replacing my switch. When I first got my truck, the low beams would drop out occasionally. But I have done much night driving on moderately busy roads, necessitating the switch between high and low beams often. I think this has cleaned the contacts up sufficiently, as suggested by Rattlinram above. I very rarely have a problem now, and usually just a split second between switching. I hear our systems use a switched ground instead of switched hot for our headlights? Maybe a bad wire or corroded ground connector is at fault as well? I do know one gentleman who had a bad relay in his system that would stick every other day or so. Drove him half crazy!

 

I love this site and the information it provides, but KATOOM has a point. With so much knowledge about the problems others experience you can really become paranoid wondering which one will hit you next! I have the apparently draggy starter in cold weather, the alternator coming up to voltage very slowly plus slipping TC (until I installed the Transgo kit) The puny power until I tweaked the plate, etc. It makes you think these things are really junk until you remember that they ALL break sometime and we just get advance knowledge thru the forum--and with hundreds of contributors you will hear mostly the bad. I have certainly benefited from the information in here as I'm sure you all have. Hang in there KATOOM and be glad there is help near at hand. Charlie.

 

It sounds like the multi function switch, & it's not a big pain to replace, I did it on my truck, you have to take off that placstic cover & then there are 3 screws holding it in, you neex special tarx with a hole in the center, but it took me like 15 min & I never did it before & it I think it cost me like 20 bucks just do it I had the same problem with the lights going out on pith black backroads so I know how you feel

Daniel

 

The MF switch is more like $55, buy one here
http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...01&catalogid=1

 

i blew a headlight fuse out on the open highway at high speed one night a long long time ago and it still scares me to think about it.

 

I hear you BIG time! This site has an unbelieveable amount of info and many great guys willing to spend the time letting you in on it. Couldn't ask for more.

 

This happened to me too, but mine was the actual light **** unit that you pull for your lights to come, that is mounted on the dash. I smelt an electrical burning smell, and my lights went out. I traced it back to this swtich. I jacked with it for a few minutes, and then they came back on.

BTW< it was raining, and early in the morning. And I was in a curve with on coming traffic. I was frightened to put it nicely.

 

I lose the low beams ocassionally when switching between hi and low. Gets DARK in a hurry. I'd assume it's te multi switch as another activiation or two of the multiswitchand they come back to life.

 

it is a DOT thing about legality issues on how many lights you can run at one time.?????



UH_OH


*Admin edit: I fixed your post to show your pic. You had the page url instead of the url for just the picture.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Dennis