I have a 2001 Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 SLT that I just bought. The headlights work fine on low beams, but when I switch the headlights to the high beams, the passenger side light pulses on and off. Any ideas what could cause this? I looked at a few threads and think it may be the CTM, but wanted to see what you guys think first. Maybe just a bad bulb? Thanks.

 

If it’s just on high and only one side I suspect a bad bulb or that side wiring if it was the system both would flicker not just one side.

 

Check the bulb first but it very well could be the CTM. In 2001, the CTM works the headlights and each side has its own driver circuit.

 

I never heard of a CTM and dont think my 98 Dakota has one but did some reading on the CTM and it just may be the CTM.

Rock auto shows no such part for my 98 Dakota as a CTM.

What is the purpose of the CTM?

 

CTM - central timer module. It handles the lights, wipers, alarm, keyless entry, all that stuff.

In 2001 they changed things so that the CTM can disable lights if you accidentally leave them on unlike in prior years where they went through a "real" switch.

 

I’m glad I don’t have a CTM in my Dakota well rock auto shows no such part for my 1998 Dakota so I’m guessing I don’t have one.

From what I read it can cause flickering headlights, could that be the problem with the guy that can’t get his Dakota to run more than a few seconds?

 

I'm pretty sure you have one. Rockauto doesn't list one for my 2000 either, but I definitely do and the OP has one is his 2001 as well.

 

Thanks for the responses guys, I'll try the bulb first.

 

It may be just a bad bulb. It could also be a bad ground. Dakota's can sometimes be known for bad ground problems. There is a ground lug located on the right side fender well, under the air intake snorkel area. I would bet money that the right side headlight bulb is grounded there. Maybe loosen the ground nut and use a wire brush to clean the connector, nut and the ground lug itself down to bare shiny metal. Go ahead and replace the ring terminal ground connector if the wires on it look corroded. There is another ground lug on the left fender well, one in the left wheel well grounded to the frame behind the left front tire and one in front of each valve cover on the engine block. There are ground lugs in the metal areas of each kick panel too, this would be a good time to give all of your grounds the same clean-up treatment.

The CTM does have a dedicated left and right high beam output, so that could be the problem too. The only way to diagnose the CTM for sure is at the Dodge dealer, they have to use the DRB-III scan tool to check the CTM's operation. You can replace the CTM yourself if it is bad, it is located in the driver's kick panel. If you have the factory installed keyless entry system, the dealer will have to program your original keyless entry remotes to the new CTM, because the keyless module is an internal part of the CTM. I would say check the grounds and bulb first, also check all the associated wiring to the headlight too before checking or replacing the CTM.

An edit here: If the bulb, wiring and grounds are all OK, maybe check the output at the bulb from the CTM. At the right headlight the high beam wire should be red with an orange stripe. When that high beam light starts blinking and acting up, maybe check the orange/red wire with a volt meter. If you get pulsing or fluctuating voltage on it that is in sync with the blinking of the headlight, you probably do have a bad CTM.

Jimmy

 

you cant search for the ctm on rockauto its under the -- electrical then the ecm tab then its the silver box at the bottom with the three black plugs they dont call it anything but its a ctm i looked it up for my 98