The rotary instrument light dimmer switch in my 99 SLT is getting pretty darn hot to the touch when my lights are on. Has anybody else experienced this?

 

Should be ok depending if the back light was installed too close to the panel. Turn down the lights for a while and retest the heat exchange. If it is lower then you know it's just the back light. If the same then replace the switch and while you have it out check the ground.

 

Gus,

Do you have any addon fogs lights or accessory lighting? The 98s and 99s tended to get hot and burn out even with just stock lighting. It is much more common with aftermarket stuff has also been added.

You can pick up a spare at the dealer or eBay for not a lot of money. To replace it is easy if you need to.

HTH.

IndyDurango

 

Nope.. no extra lights. She's all stock. I'll price a new switch tomorrow, but I'll also look at the back light theory too. I didn't think about that.

Thanks

 

Mine gets warm but check the light dim thing first.

 

+1 with that!

 

In my opinion, it is normal. Simple physics/electronics here...

You have all of the interior illumination current running through the potentiometer in the switch.

Now, as you should know, energy cannot be created or destroyed, just change forms. You are taking electrical energy, adding resistance to the circuit for the dimmer switch. Since energy isn't destroyed, it just changes form... Adding resistance changed electrical energy into heat in this case... Hope it makes sense... Best I can explain it when doped up on Vicodin... Take care of your backs guys! It's no fun getting old at 25 years old...

 

Excessive heat from a bad switch caused by overloaded amperage regardless of fuse interuption CAN still cause a fire.

But again, I think it's a bulb installed to close and if not by checking the temp after lowering the amperage should conclude the hypothesis. Now if the heat is still the same then it's a bad switch.

I assume this has been this way the whole time like Neo is saying but never noticed but in case. If it's a bad switch we better be safe then sorry and just check it.

 

'Neo' is correct... I bought the truck two months ago and I'm not someone who adjusts the dash lights very often so I have no idea how long it's been like that.

 

Just about any vehicle does this... You will notice that when you have a vehicle like an Audi, that uses LED's for interior illumination/gauge illumination, that the switch won't be as hot... But those with incandescent type bulbs, which our Durango has TONS of, the more lights, the hotter it will get, naturally. Don't know if you have ever been on an aircraft at night when all of the switch lights are on, but those little switches get VERY hot... I mean, the switches start to melt they get so hot... Also, every vehicle I have had gets warm at the main dimmer... Just some more than others...