I have a 2002 Dodge Dakota that has a headlight flashing problem. When I have the headlight switch in the parking light position all lights are fine. When I put the switch to the headlight on postion my headlights, tail lights, and parking lights flash on and off quickly. I have replaced the head light switch and still have the same problem. I checked all fuses before doing so too.

When I take a dual polarity test light to the back of the switch wiring harness, I am seeing what I believe is a grounding issue? On the black/yellow wire and tan wire, it flashes red/blue (positive/ground). If I unplug the headlight switch, just the black/yellow wire flashes that way.

Parking lamp relay is in good working condition (I swapped it with the horn relay of the same part number). If I take my test light pin 85 of the junction block, I am getting the same results as the back of the headlight switch wiring harness.

Alternator is in good working condition. I have Optima Yellow top battery. 3.9L V6 Engine.

I have a Haynes manual so if anyone needs to reference anything in there, that helps. I also have searched the forums for duplicate problems already and have some ideas but I have not seen any of the exact same problems yet.

Is this problem my CTM, multi-function switch, or do I have bad ground somewhere?

 

Welcome to DF.

I'm not to familiar with the headlight circuits on these years but earlier years, and I sure the newer years did to. They have an internal circuit breaker built into the switch. Since you changed the switch it may be that the headlight circuit has a short or is drawing to much power. The earlier years didn't have relays to control the headlights. So the switch can easily be over power the switch. Check the Stickies in this section for the service manual. Check the wiring diagrams.

I love the Optimas, I will never trust any other battery. I have 2 yellows in my truck.

 

Could definitly be the CTM. That was one of things that started going wrong when my CTM crapped out. But at the same time my electronic 4x4 didn't work, powerlocks were kinda wacky, wippers went on and off randomly... so maybe you will start having that too.

Try disconnecting the battery and let it sit a few minutes. Then hook it back up. If it stops for while then starts again, its probably your ctm.

 

@bpark8824, I know that about 2 months ago, I would be able to run the truck just fine for maybe half an hour and then the lights would flash once. And then twice. And then 3 times. And gradually pick up the pace. Now it just flashes as soon as I start the vehicle with no hesitation.

Is there some sort of sure fire way to check to see if the CTM is going bad or do I just have to wait until the doomsday clock winds down?

Also, I have a blown CV joint. It's probably unrelated but for the sake of information, I thought I would add that too.

Edit: The more and more I search the forum, the more and more I see CTM problems. I also found this site a few days ago. http://www.lemonauto.com/complaints/...dge_dakota.htm I wonder if I can get the dealer (or stealership as many of you call it) to fix it for free!

 

Im new here, but have a simular issue.
First, might be a dumb question, but what is the CTM ?

Turn headlights on with truck not running, no problem. As soon as I start truck the drivers light only flashes on low but not on high...........I have also been having issues with the parking and headlights staying on after truck off for several minutes. As well as wipers not working on intermittent, high beam indicator not coming on then several minutes later it coming on and not going off when lows are but back on. Sometimes the headlights come on and not the parking lights till I start driveng for a few minutes. When I open the door sometimes the Parking or Headlights come on.
After reading the above I think it sounds like the CTM, but I was thinking a grounding issue before that....

 

sounds to me like the body control mod has a short in it some place. at least if you opening the door and what not and stuff is delayed.

as for the flashing on the head and tails i woud go check the trailor harness. if that has a short in it, it will cause the power to chase back threw until it fines ground some where. I would also like to throw out there a bad voltage regualtor in the Alt. My exs car had a bad VR and everything flashed as driving down the highway but when the car wasnt running it was fine. all three are possable.