Hi, I have a 1988 dodge Dakota. All has been good, till the other night. I got in started, turned on the lights...........no lights! Only blinkers and emergency flashers. I replaced the pull out switch, no change. Cant find correct fuse, owners manual says it has a circuit breaker but dosnt say where. I have no Chilton. This is my only way to work 20 miles away and I get off after dark. It has been down 3 days......HELP! please? thank you....

 

Welcome to the site. I will post this in the first generation Dakota section. What is a Chilton anyways?
FF

 

Look in the FAQ in this section (A few post above this one) for a diagram of the fuse box.

 

Thanks, Chilton is a brand name of repair manual (and one of your sponsors on right side of screen). When I was a kid watching my brothers work on cars it was the "all-knowing" authority on backyard machanics............God I feel old!...........(43).......
--------"Should of heard'em laughin at little Henry Ford down at the waterin hole!"-----

 

You feel old... when I was a kid all my dad used was MOTORS manuals. That's all I bought as an adult until I got out of the field back in the late 80's. Me a little Henry Ford went to different schools together...LMAO!

I"m only 47

 

Thanks for the advice all !
I am back on the road.
I thought I would post what I did so it might help someone else.

First I replaced the pull-out switch but still had the same problem. I got a wiring diagram for an '89, (close enough) and found the fuses were before the switch. I made a homemade electrical tester from a spare tail light bulb and two pieces of wire. I tested and found power was good to the switch. The only thing left in line to the headlamps was the dimmer switch accuated from the blinker arm, but located down the stering collum. I replaced it and all is good.

I still dont quite get how that was killing brake lights?
A mistrey I am happy to leave for another day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1