Afternoon, Dakota-heads!
I just bought my third 2nd-gen Dakota since my very first new vehicle back in 1997, and I think I got a real gem. It's a 4-door 2002 Sport with only 129k miles on the V6 motor. The interior is nearly perfect. The black paint is shot like many other Dodges of the era. Seems to run and drive great; doesn't shake, vibrate, or pull either direction. It doesn't quite have the takeoff power it once had, but that is to be expected. The only real issue with it is the low beams don't work, but the highs do. I've done a little research here and other places, and the issue could be with the headlight switch. In researching these, I've found a few different options with vastly different price points. The cheapest one is actually the one with the most options... cargo, dome, and fog. And the most expensive option (about $20 more) is the one I need... cargo and dome, but no fog. My question is, can I get use the switch that has the fog option, even though I don't have fog lights? Or do those trucks have a different wiring connector? I would like to add factory fog lights some time down the road if that isn't too much trouble or expense, so I'm thinking it might benefit me and save some work later if I have the appropriate switch already installed. The previous owner installed some aftermarket fog lamps (I believe as a work-around for the missing low beams), but the wiring is a bird's nest mess under the hood, so I'll be disconnecting them as soon as I get the lows working again. But I'll leave the lenses in place so there aren't empty holes in the bumper. Any thoughts are tremendously appreciated. I'm not a mechanic or electrician by a LONG shot, so I'm looking for easy solutions that I can't really screw up. ;-)

Thanks!!!


2002 Dodge Dakota Sport Crew Cab 4-Door
3.9L 239C. V6

 

pretty sure the connector is the same - My 2001 FSM doesn't show any change for option variances. The CTM has to be programmed to do anything with the fog lamp wire being utilized I think (but again, could be wrong)

 

Pulled these out the shed today. Been saving them for my truck just in case... but haven't needed them. All in great shape...just needs a little cleanup.

I clipped the plug out of the donor vehicle so you could even wire it in if needed. PM with an offer if interested. If nothing, at least you have a good pic of the connector.

 

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I'll try the cheaper switch and cross my fingers. If it doesn't work, any idea where I go from there? I'd like to have a new starting point while things are semi torn apart.