All of a sudden the headlights and brake lights do not work. Lights on dash do not come on when turning on headlights. I checked fuse and changed relay. Also changed switch. The turn signals and flashers work. Not sure what else to check. truck is 1994 dakota cub cab

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

thanks

Jeanett

 

I know you said you checked the fuses, but, double check the following: pop the hood. In the power distribution center (PDC, the black box behind the battery) make sure fuse G is good (when looking at the box from the drivers side, its the 2nd to last fuse on the right, their the big fuses).
The reason I say this, is because Fuse G (as they call it) feeds the headlamp switch (which feeds the headlights, dash lights, parking lights and dome lamp), the brake lights, and the license lights.
Fuse G does NOT feed the hazard flasher or the turn signal flasher (the turn signal flasher recieves power only with the ignition switch in the ACCESSORY and RUN positions).
Make sure that Fuse G is good (supposed to be a 50A fuse). If you have a multimeter, you can simply test for continuity between the two ends.
Post back.

 

I changed that fuse also. The new switch is getting power because the dome light works. In the back I have no tail light or brake lights. In the front no headlights or park lights. Turn signals work. Reverse works. I disconnected the trailer wire hook up incase it had a short, but it didn't help. What about the dim switch? Can that have anything to do with it? I need to get this fixed. My son works nights and lights would be nice. We are having to share my car and I work days.

Jeanett

 

Are you talking about when you turn the switch counter-clockwise (like you would to brighten the gauges) the dome light comes on, OR, when the doors are open, the dome light comes on?
Just because the dome light comes on when the door is open does not mean the headlamp switch is getting juice. I guess according to my wiring diagram, even if the light comes on when the headlamp switch is rotated all the way counter-clockwise, that only means the switch is providing a ground path for the dome light, and is not an indication that the switch is getting juice.

You might want to check for voltage at the connector for the headlamp switch. Sorry that I can't provide a picture, but the (red and white), (pink and red), and (light green and white) wires should all have voltage at all times.
Check for voltage, and post back.

 

A friend helped me at work to fix my problem. I never would have found it. I am not sure what it is called, but there is a box on the drivers side under the hood where what I call the female side mountes to the fire wall. The other side with all the wires and male poles plug into it. In female terms all the little do jobies. There was a broken wire there. I owe the guy lunch for sure.

thanks for you help too.


Jeanett

 

Glad to hear it was something simple (although maybe not the first thought!).

 

Hi- I have been having the same problem with my headlights in my 1994 Dodge Dakota. I found that when I took the dash apart and found the Headlight switch assy- the block that attaches to the end of the harness and to the actual switch- was shorted out in a couple of spots. I ordered that part from the dealer and replced it and put it back together. It worked fine for a while but I now am starting to have issues again. The headlights will flash intermittently at times and at other times, they won't come on at all. The parking lights work however and taillights are fine.

When I take the dash apart, the only thing I see is that the end of the harness (looks like an old "block") seems to be burnt, almost melted in a couple of spots. I checked to see if all the posts are still getting good contact and they are so I'm not sure what to do next.

 

i dont know if this will help but it helped me i have a 1994 doge 2500 cummins and my headlights wouldnt work but the taillights would so i asked a bubby who works on trucks he said the dimmer switch or the pull out switch that turns all the lights and stuff on. it wasent the dimmer switch it was the pull out switch in the dash it burnt out the headlight and breaklight stuff but the dash lights so try the pull out switch for the headlights cuz it runs everything lights taillight dash lights