Hi, I've got a 2004 Dakota. The other night I got home and parked the truck. About 25 minutes later I noticed the running/parking lights were still on, so I went into the truck to see why(usually all lights automatically shut off). I got in and the radio lighting and dash lighting was on as well. The reverse lights and tail lights too.(No brake lights). The light switch was in the off position, but I started the truck and played with the switch, all these lights would never go out, the headlights and hazards and turn signals work normally but the running, dash and radio lights never go out.

First thing I though was the AUTOPAGE Aftermarket remote start/keyless entry has messed up. So I unplugged it completely, nothing changed. So I checked all the fuses and relays under the hood and next to the steering wheel. They were all good(except the electric fan relay, related??). That would explain why the truck slightly overheated the day before while in the woods. ANYWAY I couldnt find any reason these lights would stay on. While running the dash lights seem to slightly flicker. They are not steady. The only time Ive ever seen this happen it was because of aftermarket remote start systems, but like I said I unplugged it and nothing changed. I also unplugged the headlight switch and they all stayed on, so don't think its the switch.

I also pulled the "Parking lamp" relay and all the lights stayed on, shouldnt they go out? I have to disconnect the battery every night just so the truck doesnt die on me. What do you guys think? Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

When you unplug the headlight switch, they will all turn on by default because it doesn't know that they should be off (safety feature).

Not sure on the radio, but all 4 corner lights are controlled by the CTM via the parking lamp relay. Both headlamps (Hi/Lo) and the dash high beam indicator are direct off the CTM.

Pulling the parking lamp relay should have killed all the lights unless the circuit is being fed from after the relay. Parking circuit is black and yellow wire according to my 2001 manual. It also feeds the trailer connector via fuse T in the PDC, should be a 10 amp or absent. Towards the back of the truck it transitions from yellow and black to black and orange. If you have a 7 way trailer plug, it's a remote chance that battery constant (for trailer battery charging) is shorted to running lights and backfeeding the circuit.

Depending on where the fuses are in the PDC (I don't have it memorized), if the electric fan relay failed fantastically, there's an odd chance that there may be some melted harness under the PDC.

 

Holy ****, Magnethead you're a savior. This problem has been perplexing me for days. After reading your post the first thing I did was go back to my trailer harness and saw that the plug was quite corroded. So I unplugged it and the lights instantly went out. Everything is working perfect now. Thank you man!

 

As the Farmer's insurance commercial says, "When you've seen it all, you can cover it all."

Thankfully our trucks are not as much of a wiring clusterfu^$ as some vehicles I have worked on. LOL