I have a 1990 Dakota and my dash and taillights went out. I thought it was only my dash lights until i was pulled over for having no taillights. I discovered the fuse that runs both was blown so I replaced it with the proper 20 fuse, only to have it go out again after 10 minuets of driving. after replacing it several times I replaced all the bulbs and the problem still persists. This is a problem since I drive at night alot. what could be causing this? Also, if it makes any difference, the right indicator arrow is always solid green when the dash lights are on. If I use the right indicator, it will start flashing, but when the indicator is off, its always solid green.

 

A bad multipurpose switch could be the cause as well as bad wiring that is shorting out.

 

I'd guess the rear right lamp socket needs replaced. They have a tendency to corrode and it sounds like you've got voltage leaking from the parking light circuit through the turn signal circuit.

 

This is EXACTLY what was happening to me a few months ago.
Due to my fear of electrical I took it to my Dealership though.

It turned out to be a heavy duty turn signal flasher that was overloading my fuse. Although I doubt thats gonna be the same for you I hope you find it easily. I had to take my truck back to the shop twice until they finally figured it out.

 

Ths just happened to me a few weeks ago and it was a corroded trailer plug wire getting grounded. I just cut the wires and crimped them together with some small heat shrink crimps and all was good. The cause of the exposed wire was my exhaust touching the wires so I wrapped the whole lower bit in electrical tape and covered that with some 3/8s plastic fire retardant conduit.

 

I pulled the tail light wire harnesses off and looked at them. They do look rather rusted and the sockets don't look to promising either. I went to the junkyard to pull two used ones off some deceased Dakotas but they all looked the same. I couldn't find any on eBay and I'm afraid a dealership will rape me. Is there a place online that sells these harnesses?

 

After a brief search on NAPAs website, part number LS6478:
https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...(P_RecType%3aA)
(Yes, this is compatible with the 1990 Dakota.)

 

You can pick them up at any parts store, I got mine from Advance.

Cut the heat shrink off the back of the connector that's where they really corrode.