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2nd Gen Ram Tech1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.
Need Headlight wiring diagram for 1997 Dodge Ram 1500
Folks I need a wiring diagram for my 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 truck. I keep burning out the large expensive light switch and I want to wire aorund it if possible. Maybe someone has done this and can help me.
Thanks,
Paul
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What are you wiring in that keeps burning out the switch? Make sure someone didn't swap out the fuse for the head lights and put in a higher amp fuse. If the fuse is correct, you should be burning fuses before you burn your switch.
It is my grandson's truck and he lives with me. It burned out the switch (melted it) last year and I installed a complete new switch block assembly and it worked up until just a few weeks ago. He said his lights would flicker and then it started blowing the 25 amp fuse. He would replace the fuse and they would work for awhile and then go out. He told me he then put in a 30 amy fuse and after awhile it blew this fuse. He told me that he, and someone he knew, cut the wire going from the the headlight switch to the headlights and installed a toggle switch. When he wanted lights he would just flip the toggle switch on. He said this worked fine until one night when he got to the house he turned off the toggle switch and the lights stayed on. He then pulled the wire off of the toggle switch and they still stayed on. He said while he was doing this the lights went out and he had blown a fuse, He tells me now everytime he puts in a fuse it blows so somewhere the wire has melted against another one (I think) I need a wiring diagram to try and locate the problem and then just wire around the switch as right now the switch block is melted right where the large wire with a green tracer connects at.
Thanks for the help,
Paul
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ram15002ndGen
What are you wiring in that keeps burning out the switch? Make sure someone didn't swap out the fuse for the head lights and put in a higher amp fuse. If the fuse is correct, you should be burning fuses before you burn your switch.
The service manual that is on here available for download is right on the money as far as wiring goes. I don't think they changed much if any of the wiring from 94-01. Every time I have needed a diagram it has been spot on. If you look for the merry christmas thread in the diy section it is there. If you can't download it or are on dial up or something like that pm me with your email address and I will email you the pages that you need.
__________________ 1997 1500 4x4 club cab, Flowmaster true duals 2.25" with high flow cats, 4" Skyjacker susp./3" body, Cowl Induction hood-non-op.
They changed the headligth wiring from postive switched to ground switched in 1999. At the same time they changed the headlight switch from pull style to turn style.
So try this 1997 wiring diagram instead of the 2001.
It is my grandson's truck and he lives with me. It burned out the switch (melted it) last year and I installed a complete new switch block assembly and it worked up until just a few weeks ago. He said his lights would flicker and then it started blowing the 25 amp fuse. He would replace the fuse and they would work for awhile and then go out. He told me he then put in a 30 amy fuse and after awhile it blew this fuse. He told me that he, and someone he knew, cut the wire going from the the headlight switch to the headlights and installed a toggle switch. When he wanted lights he would just flip the toggle switch on. He said this worked fine until one night when he got to the house he turned off the toggle switch and the lights stayed on. He then pulled the wire off of the toggle switch and they still stayed on. He said while he was doing this the lights went out and he had blown a fuse, He tells me now everytime he puts in a fuse it blows so somewhere the wire has melted against another one (I think) I need a wiring diagram to try and locate the problem and then just wire around the switch as right now the switch block is melted right where the large wire with a green tracer connects at.
Sounds like you got a mess on your hands. I would guess that somewhere in there, there are some wires melted together and arching. I don't know why anyone would put a toggle switch versus a simple pull switch? I would suggest going to the dealer (or junkyard) and get a new set of wiring assembly for that switch and a new switch and make it all new. First see how badly compromised it all has become, then see if it's worth the trouble. I would be afraid to go through a lot of time and trouble and later have it all blow up on me cause I missed a simple thing somewhere, that's why I suggest a replacement. Like you said, those light switches are not cheap. All 94-97 should have the same pull switch, so there should be some at the junk yard.
Hey I just thought of something that just maybe might have happened. Check the wiring harness under the battery tray. the battery hold down bolt comes really close to it and I actually ran the bolt through the harness and shorted my high beam and right turn signal wires together. I had to remove the battery box and look closely to see the damage. Just a thought that you could check out. Mine happened because I put in an Optima red top and it is about an inch shorter than the factory size battery which allowed the bolt to run down that much farther.
__________________ 1997 1500 4x4 club cab, Flowmaster true duals 2.25" with high flow cats, 4" Skyjacker susp./3" body, Cowl Induction hood-non-op.
You also might try wiring it up with relays, so that all the switch does is activate a relay, which draws the current to the bulb. Even the 1999-2001 switches have been known to burn up occasionally, this is why I did mine with relays.
And it makes them a bit brighter to, power directly from the battery.
Need Headlight wiring diagram for 1997 Dodge Ram 1500
1997 1500 4x4 club cab, Flowmaster true duals 2.25" with high flow cats, 4" Skyjacker susp./3" body, Cowl Induction hood-non-op.
