problem-

when the headlights are on-
no cluster lights or interior lights
turn signal, o/d, and high/low bea switch only work with dimmer switch turned down.

parts replaced/checked-

ALL Fuses
replaced headlight switch
replaced Central Timer and alarm Module part #56021224

none of these have solved the problem, it is a 1997 dodge dakota SLT 3.9L V6 2wd manual windows


truck did have front end damage when i got it, but i didnt see any wires messed up only a few missing connections...assuming those are the fog lights wiring

 

Do the interior lights work when the headlights are "off?"

Sounds like a bad ground, if it only happens headlights "on."

 

when the head lights are off, everything works properly, when the headlights are on, nothing works right. and when i turn the switch all the way left for the cluster lights it does the same thing.

is there a place i can get a diagram for the ground wire locations?

 

also, got any tips on changing the valve guide seals? im having trouble with the springs compressing. there pulling the bottom of the springs up and not the top down.

its smokes when-
first started
idling

No Load Emissions-
Cold Warm
CO 3% .5%
CO2 12% 13%
O2 1.5 1.75%
HC 200PPM 190PPM
NOX 60PPm 46PPM

 

See next, upload problem

 

Does it do it with just the parking lights on? At least on my '00 the headlights and parking lights use different grounds. The parking lights ground is behind the battery, the headlight ground is under the LH dash.

Your symptoms are common for a bad ground.

Check under the dash, near the pivot, for any grounds.

If you don't have a service manual, try www.alldatadiy.com. It is basically the full service manual and includes the complete wiring diagrams. It'll also have specs, torques, procedures for your engine.

Good luck.

 

ok, i talked to a local mechanic today and he thinks it is the printed circuit board on the cluster shorting out. i have noticed every now and then the tach and speedo dont work but tap the dash and they work fine.

i looked and didnt find any messed up grounds.

 

Look again.

A short in the printed circuit board would blow a fuse OR eventually it would burn through (clear) the short.

Pull the cluster, it's not that hard, then see if the interior lights work.

 

im going to pull the cluster tomorrow, i didnt get a chance to today.

ill check it in the morning and get back on it. is there any where i can get free ground wire diagrams? the alldata wants me to pay.

 

i didnt get a chance to pull the cluster til today, and i didnt find any shorts in it. i didnt find any messed up grounds and the only other thing i can think of is the multifunction switch, the cancel spring for the left signals dont work and i think it may be the wrong one. would that cause the problem?