The simultaneous failure of brake lights and turn signals seems to be pretty common. I've searched through the posts pertaining to this and have yet to see anyone come back to the forum and say exactly how they solved the problem.
So, my turn signals, hazzards and brake lights have quit. I've checked all fuses, checked brake light switch, replaced flasher relays, replaced the multi-function switch, checked ground wires, looked at a splice or two under the dash and have come up with nothing.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

My guess would be that a connector is bad. (Try checking a few of the connections in the back of the truck).
What year do you have?

 

My truck is a '93. V8 extended cab with 80,000 mi.
One of the first things I did in chasing this problem was to remove the after market wiring harness that some hitch installer had put in long before I got the truck. I checked the pins at those rear connectors and had no juice anywhere.

Last night I replaced the hazzard flasher and suddenly had brake lights and turn signals! So far, so good. Then I decided to test the hazzards and everything quit again... all fuses still whole. Went to the auto parts store this morning and got a heavy duty flasher thinking that I somehow cooked the standard unit last night (though no fuses blew). Still no workie. Must have been some kind of fluke last night. Gotta be somethin.
Thanks for your help and interest, I'm very befuddled.

Steve

 

My original post in this thread expressed my frustration with the fact that no one comes back to the forum to say how they solved this issue. Now I know why. Turn signal and brake lights are mysteriously working again though the hazzards are still AWOL. I've had the truck about 18 months and hadn't touched the hazzards until my daughter tried to use them several nights ago. She said they didn't work and she had no turn signals until she exercized the turn signal stalk several times. She didn't mention this to me until we were riding together and the turn signal quit working while I was driving.

I replaced both flasher units with heavy duties, repeatedly checked all fuses and the brake light switch, checked every ground I could find, tore the dash apart to see if I could find a short or dead wire, replaced the multi-function switch, (when that didn't solve the problem I returned it) exercized the hazzard switch repeatedly and somehow, somewhere, for some unknown reason, stuff started working again. I tested everything, put it all back together then tested some more.
Guess I'll start driving it...

There really should be some kind of payoff for this level of frustration and investment of time. What have I learned? What experience have I gained that can be applied to future 12 volt issues? Um, just keep messing with stuff and it might start working again...great.

Geez, I'm a blind lab rat in a dimly lit maze.

 

I had that exact same problem on my '95 and got so mad I just ran new wires. Said hell with it and made things a whole lot easier on myself since I know exactly where to look in case I ever have to hunt something down like that again.

 

how would you go about running a new wire in a 93 dakota

 

First, you need 30 feet of the following color 14#wire (blue, red and yellow are on mine running to the control plate and brake switch) and use yellow for ground. because yellow is easier to find than green or black. First, you will need terminal blocks, and all grounds run to the frame. Separate the brake lights from the tail lights and run the red brake lights with the tailgate light to the switch and run the other side to the battery with a fuse. Next run the tail lights to the light switch and pick up power for all lights using 2 14# fused blue. There is a wire bundle coming from the engine compartment going into the fuse box and elsewhere. Pull the wires through and connect to terminal blocks. Connect power side of terminals to battery. Be on your way with new working lights.

 

Thanks for the input.
I was on my way home yesterday and the turn signal quit at an intersection. I pulled into a parking lot and yanked out the H/D turn signal flasher and replaced it with the H/D hazzard unit. Stuff started working again but I don't think a flasher unit that may puke at any time is a good way to live.
The rewire thing seems like a good idea but I'll need to get help from someone who knows more about this than I do. Good thing my dad is recently retired...

 

Steve,

I had a 93 5.2L 4X4 Dakota LE before I got my ram, I had the exact same problem happen to me.
I did find the problem on mine, although it took some serious troubleshooting. There is a connector block below the steering column in the engine compartment on the drivers side, It is held in place by a 5/16 head screw if I remember right. What I eventually found is that a ground wire in the block had corroded to the point of non-existence. I had to fashion a "through connection" for the wiring in order to repair. I eneded up drilling out the connectors and passed a spliced wire in to make a good connect. Problem solved.
If you do find this, when you put it back together, pack some regular grease or silicone grease in there to stop moisture (water, mud) from getting in.

 

i have a 93 dakota and ever since i got the truck my tailight would go out when i hit the brake with the lights on....so finally after 2 years and 4 times of being pulled over i looked into.at first i figured a bulb and it wasnt,then i thought maybe just a new tailight socket.well when i went to take the old one off i cut the weatherguard crap of it and notice the the ground wire was actually snapped in half and that was the problem,so my advice is just think lil stuff and check everything out