1st Gen Dakota Tech 1987 - 1996 Dodge Dakota Tech - The ultimate forum for technical help on the 1st Gen Dakota.

Headlamp switch

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 26, 2019 | 08:48 PM
  #1  
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
Thread Starter
|
Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 152
Default Headlamp switch

It started giving me problems a few days ago. I ordered a new switch. Today it refused to go all the way to off. I haven't got the new switch yet or taken the dash panel off so I disconnected the battery. Is this the usual way they fail?
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2019 | 05:40 PM
  #2  
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
Thread Starter
|
Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 152
Default

Switch came in. It was simple enough to change out. I used dielctric grease. A couple things were difficult, first the socket that the switch plugs into is on a very short leash, it was almost impossible to remove and reinstall it. That section of the harness needs another 6 inches of wire to make it simpler to change the switch. The pull on the switch is not fully seated until you push it in and turn it all the way left to get it to lock in. I pulled it out when I first tried the lights alarming me a little. I put it back in and turned it then it stayed in when I pulled it again.
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2019 | 11:56 PM
  #3  
RalphP's Avatar
RalphP
Champion
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 4,737
Likes: 374
From: Northwest Louisiana
Default

Now that you have that new switch in, be nice to it ... add a full relay harness.

I like this Putco for a premade one; but I'm cheap and chintzy and built my own.
Amazon Amazon

RwP
 
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2019 | 10:07 AM
  #4  
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
Thread Starter
|
Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 152
Default

Thanks Ralph. That looks like a project I won't get to this year.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2022 | 09:09 PM
  #5  
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
Thread Starter
|
Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 152
Default

Well seems like RalphP was right, again, since my switch has begun to fail.
before I buy the part he suggested is there anything else I am going to need to do this job? Does the part come with instructions? Doesn't say on the website.
Just putting this link here so I don't have to search for it again. https://www.putco.com/heavy-duty-wire-harness-relay
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2022 | 09:44 PM
  #6  
bronze's Avatar
bronze
Record Breaker
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 473
From: North Carolina
Default

Damn I miss Ralph.
 
Reply
Old May 19, 2022 | 09:25 AM
  #7  
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
Administrator
Veteran: Air Force
Community Favorite
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,397
Likes: 4,213
From: Clayton MI
Default

The harness is pretty straightforward, red wires go to battery power, black wires go to ground, and the rest just plugs in to the existing headlamp harness. Took me about 10 minutes to install mine. (though, mine came with instructions, got it from LMC truck.)
 
Reply
Old May 19, 2022 | 12:25 PM
  #8  
onemore94dak's Avatar
onemore94dak
Thread Starter
|
Champion
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,723
Likes: 152
Default

I bought it. I'll probably have questions when I do it.
I also ordered a new switch
 

Last edited by onemore94dak; May 19, 2022 at 02:55 PM.
Reply
Old May 20, 2022 | 12:08 PM
  #9  
Flounderguy's Avatar
Flounderguy
Professional
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 157
Likes: 21
From: Orangevale, Ca
Default

I put in a Putco harness at Ralph’s suggestion, God bless his soul. As I remember, I had to re-pin the connector. Mine is a 95.
 
Reply
Old May 20, 2022 | 12:16 PM
  #10  
bronze's Avatar
bronze
Record Breaker
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 473
From: North Carolina
Default

Originally Posted by Flounderguy
I put in a Putco harness at Ralph’s suggestion, God bless his soul. As I remember, I had to re-pin the connector. Mine is a 95.
I have Ralph's cyberfingerprints all over my truck. I can't get in it without seeing them. Hey You is stacking them up too. Others as well. This is a fantastic place to find good people who know our trucks. There aren't many of us left.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:31 PM.