I have a 2003 Durango and the lights turn off every fifteen minutes while running. I have to turn the switch off and on to get the lights back. Is this a switch problem or something else?

 

Sounds like a relay is getting hot.

 

I thought there may be a timer mechanism in the switch because the lights turn off every 15 minutes to the second. Do you know if that exists?

 

Not that I'm aware of. That would be a bit unsafe, imo.

 

I know there's a timer on the interior lights. I figure maybe there's a timer in case you leave the headlights on with the key off it would shut them off after 15 minutes and maybe there's something in a circuit that's not getting power from the key to the timer maybe? Which I would imagine the timer would be in the CTM. But I don't know. That's all speculation

 

That's exactly what I was speculating too. I believe its a timing mechanism that knows when the vehicle is off but the lights are still on and then turns them off 15 minutes after the car is turned off. The timer must think the vehicle is always off. I will start with the switch and go from there. Thanks for the input and I'll keep you posted on my progress.

 

Per my 2001 FSM, the headlight switch tells the CTM you want lights, then it's the CTM that actually energizes the headlight relay. Maybe your CTM is taking the T part too seriously?

 

That makes sense. So if you can find the signal wire from the CTM that goes to the headlight relay, put an LED test light in circuit. Wouldn't use an incandescent bulb test light as it will draw more power and possibly damage the CTM. Or you could just use a Multi Meter and be safe. But them drive around in the day time with the lights on and see if after 15 minutes that circuit goes dead. If so, you know the CTM is shutting down power. So then why, and maybe it's not getting a signal from the ignition switch. Which doesn't really make sense because if the CTM wasn't getting power from the ignition switch, a lot of things in your truck would not be working properly.

 

I wonder if there is a 'sense' wire somewhere, that tells the CTM the engine is running..... (I don't have wiring diagrams for these.)