I have a 1999 Dodge Durango with daytime running lights. Now my headlights don't work. I have changed the switch, and the bulbs, and still haven't fixed the problem. All the other lights work, but no low or high beams. I have been driving with just the daytime running lights and fog lights. I am open to all suggestions. What can be the problem, and where is the problem part located?

 

SYSTEM DIAGNOSIS
A good ground is necessary for proper lighting operation. Grounding is provided by the lamp socket when it comes in contact with the metal body, or through a separate ground wire.

Always begin any diagnosis by testing all of the fuses and circuit breakers in the system. Refer to Wiring Diagrams.

HEADLAMP
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
HEADLAMPS ARE DIM WITH ENGINE IDLING OR IGNITION TURNED OFF 1. Loose or corroded battery cables. 1. Clean and secure battery cable clamps and posts.
- 2. Loose or worn generator drive belt. 2. Adjust or replace generator drive belt.
- 3. Charging system output too low. 3. Test and repair charging system, Refer to
- 4. Battery has insufficient charge. 4. Test battery state-of -charge, Refer to
- 5. Battery is sulfated or shorted. 5. Load test battery, Refer to
- 6. Poor lighting circuit Z3-ground. 6. Test for voltage drop across Z3-ground locations, Refer to
- 7. Both headlamp bulbs defective. 7. Replace both headlamp bulbs.
HEADLAMP BULBS BURN OUT FREQUENTLY 1. Charging system output too high. 1. Test and repair charging system, Refer to
- 2. Loose or corroded terminals or splices in circuit. 2. Inspect and repair all connectors and splices, Refer to
HEADLAMPS ARE DIM WITH ENGINE RUNNING ABOVE IDLE* 1. Charging system output too low. 1. Test and repair charging system, Refer to
- 2. Poor lighting circuit Z3-ground. 2. Test for voltage drop across Z3-ground locations, Refer to
- 3. High resistance in headlamp circuit. 3. Test amperage draw of headlamp circuit.
- 4. Both headlamp bulbs defective. 4. Replace both headlamp bulbs.
HEADLAMPS FLASH RANDOMLY 1. Poor lighting circuit Z3-ground. 1. Test for voltage drop across Z3-ground locations, Refer to
- 2. High resistance in headlamp circuit. 2. Test amperage draw of headlamp circuit.
- 3. Loose or corroded terminals or splices in circuit. 3. Inspect and repair all connectors and splices, Refer to
HEADLAMPS (HIGH & LOW) DO NOT ILLUMINATE 1. No voltage at either headlamp. 1. Voltage should always be present. Trace short circuit and replace BOTH headlamp fuses. Refer to Check wiring circuit from Right headlamp fuse to headlamp. (Repeat for Left side)
- 2. No ground for high and low beam circuit. 2. Ground should always be present according to switch position. Check ground at headlamp switch. Check wiring circuit from headlamp switch to Multifunction switch. Check headlamp switch and Multifunction switch continuity. Repair circuit ground, Refer to
- 3. Headlamp bulb(s) defective. 3. Replace bulb(s)
- 4. Faulty headlamp switch. 4. Replace headlamp switch.
- 5. Faulty headlamp dimmer (Multifunction) switch. 5. Replace Multifunction switch.
- 6. Broken connector terminal or wire splice in headlamp circuit. 6. Repair connector terminal or wire splice.
HEADLAMPS (LOW BEAM) DO NOT ILLUMINATE. 1. No ground for low beam circuit. 1. Ground should be present according to Multifunction switch position. Check wiring circuit from Multifunction switch to headlamp. Trace open circuit in wiring and repair. Refer to Check Multifunction Switch for cont
FOG LAMP
CONDITION POSSIBLE CAUSES CORRECTION
FOG LAMPS ARE DIM WITH ENGINE IDLING OR IGNITION TURNED OFF. 1. Loose or corroded battery cables. 1. Clean and secure battery cable clamps and posts.
2. Loose or worn generator drive belt. 2. Adjust or replace generator drive belt.
- 3. Charging system output too low. 3. Test and repair charging system. Refer to
- 4. Battery has insufficient charge. 4. Test battery state-of -charge. Refer to
- 5. Battery is sulfated or shorted. 5. Load test battery. Refer to
- 6. Poor lighting circuit Z3-ground. 6. Test for voltage drop across Z3-ground locations. Refer to
FOG LAMP BULBS BURN OUT FREQUENTLY 1. Charging system output too high. 1. Test and repair charging system. Refer to
2. Loose or corroded terminals or splices in circuit. 2. Inspect and repair all connectors and splices. Refer to
FOG LAMPS ARE DIM WITH ENGINE RUNNING ABOVE IDLE 1. Charging system output too low. 1. Test and repair charging system. Refer to
2. Poor lighting circuit Z3-ground. 2. Test for voltage drop across Z3-ground locations. Refer to
- 3. High resistance in fog lamp circuit. 3. Test amperage draw of fog lamp circuit.
FOG LAMPS FLASH RANDOMLY 1. Poor lighting circuit Z3-ground. 1. Test for voltage drop across Z3-ground locations. Refer to
- 2. High resistance in fog lamp circuit. 2. Test amperage draw of fog lamp circuit.
- 3. Faulty fog lamp switch. 3. Replace fog lamp switch.
- 4. Loose or corroded terminals or splices in circuit. 4. Inspect and repair all connectors and splices. Refer to
FOG LAMPS DO NOT ILLUMINATE 1. Blown fuse for fog lamp. 1. Trace short and replace fuse. Refer to
2. No Z3-ground at fog lamps. 2. Repair circuit ground. Refer to
- 3. Faulty fog lamp switch. 3. Replace fog lamp switch.
- 4. Broken connector terminal or wire splice in fog lamp circuit. 4. Repair connector terminal or wire splice.
- 5. Defective or burned out bulb. 5. Replace bulb.
FOG LAMPS ARE INOPERATIVE AND FOG LAMP INDICATOR LIGHT ALWAYS STAYS ON. 1. Fog lamp/DRL* feed shorted to ground. 1. Check wiring circuit from fog lamp/DRL* fuse to fog lamp. Trace short circuit in wiring and repair. Refer to
FOG LAMPS ARE INOPERATIVE AND FOG LAMP INDICATOR LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. 1. Fog lamp/DRL* fuse defective. 1. Trace short circuit and replace fuse. Refer to
- 2. Open circuit from fog lamp fuse to fog lamp. 2. Check wiring circuit from fog lamp/DRL* fuse to fog lamp. Trace open circuit in wiring and repair. Refer to
PARK LAMPS ARE INOPERATIVE. FOG LAMP INDICATOR IS ON WHEN ALL SWITCHES ARE OFF AND FUNCTIONS OPPOSITE TO FOG LAMPS. 1. Park lamp feed is shorted. 1. Check wiring circuit from park lamp fuse to headlamp switch. Trace short circuit in wiring and repair. Refer

 

that's all good except where is the multifuntion switch? The headlamps illuminate for the DRL only. when you turn the headlights on, they don't get any brighter. Also, the high beams won't stay on unless you hold the lever, and it's kinda hard to drive like that.

 

the multi-function switch IS the lever, the one that has the wiper, directionals, highbeams, washers controls on it.

 

Oh, ok. would that keep the headlights from coming on? it doesn't look like it from the schematics.

 

it controls the highbeams, and switching btwn the high/low beams, so in a way, yes it does affect the headlights coming on