Post by: ZaneHunts on December 03, 2022, 04:30:06 PM
I'm wondering if there's anyone on here who might be able to help troubleshoot my trucks headlights.
So I've got a 1998 Ram 1500 and the headlights went out the other day. When I pull out the headlight switch all that comes on are the fog and parking lights. The low beams don't turn on at all, and when I try to turn on the high beams they turn on but will not actually lock into high beams.
I've switched out headlight bulbs, tried a new dimmer combo switch, and checked all fuses and now I'm stumped.
Any ideas what I should try? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Post by: follow maggie on December 03, 2022, 05:45:26 PM
I would check the relay for the lights. If there’s another circuit with the same size relay, swap them out & see if the problem stays with the lights or moves with the relay.
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 03, 2022, 06:16:04 PM
Post by: highside74 on December 03, 2022, 06:51:06 PM
Post by: highside74 on December 03, 2022, 06:55:05 PM
Post by: Stein on December 03, 2022, 07:01:45 PM
Relay, fuses, harness, switch, bulbs, as mentioned there are a few things that can go wrong. The fact they both went out as well as issues with the highs pretty much rules out bulbs.
Post by: Sitka_Blacktail on December 03, 2022, 08:31:25 PM
Post by: GWP on December 04, 2022, 09:02:39 AM
The beauty of a 1998 vehicle is that 10,000 people have likely already had the same problem. Did you try Googling the issue? 19.5/20 times you can find a thread with the exact same issue and resolution.
Relay, fuses, harness, switch, bulbs, as mentioned there are a few things that can go wrong. The fact they both went out as well as issues with the highs pretty much rules out bulbs.
This. I work on a lot of oddball stuff, and am surprised at times to find the same exact issue I am facing. Tech actually CAN be useful!
:chuckle: :chuckle: :chuckle:
Post by: jackelope on December 04, 2022, 09:46:12 AM
Post by: buckfvr on December 04, 2022, 10:19:52 AM
Post by: Norman89 on December 04, 2022, 06:06:46 PM
Speaking of dodge head light switches they like to burn up. A LOT. First second third and fourth generation trucks all did it all the time. I bypassed it in my last truck and put manual flip switches in place. 275$ oe replacement no thanks, 11$ for 5 switches on amazon :tup:
notice to dodge, there is no need to have markers, headlights, dimmer, and dome all in one switch WITHOUT A RELAY! Jack wagon engineer morons....
Post by: ZaneHunts on December 06, 2022, 11:04:33 AM
So I checked the relays, plugs, pigtails, more fuses and everything looks good. One strange thing I found was that when I place a fuse one particular slot where there previously was no fuse, the high beams come on, even with the switch off and it will not switch to low beams. The diagram says it's for DRL, not sure what that means, but there's never been a fuse in that spot. :dunno:
I'll try to pick up a tester today and check a few things before I take it into the mechanic.
I haven't really found too much on the Internet about this particular issue.
I did read about the headlight switch burning/melting so I will look at installing a different switch system. :chuckle:
Post by: Sandberm on December 06, 2022, 11:08:36 AM
https://www.youtube.com/@SouthMainAuto (https://www.youtube.com/@SouthMainAuto)
Post by: Stein on December 06, 2022, 11:08:57 AM
Post by: ZaneHunts on December 06, 2022, 05:24:17 PM
So if it does that again I'll take up Norman89's suggestion and install some simple flip switches.
Thanks everyone for the help! It's nice to have headlights again :chuckle: