This is a strange one.... I started my Durango this morning and all of the lights stayed on in the dash. I had a radio, interior lights and brake lights. But, I had no windshield wipers, or head lights/running lights or hazard lights. I walked around the rear of the truck and flipped the rear latch to open the rear door and the lights came on - every thing back to normal except the check engine light is still on. This could be a major problem if this happened while driving in bad weather (and it is winter and I live where it snows). If anybody has any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate your comments - thanks.

 

You can check the engine light codes yourself to see what the problem is.
Here is a list of codes and how to check them hope that helps!

 

Thanks for the info, I'll give that a try when I get home tonight. I thought it might be a short or lose connection in the wiring harness since the lights came on once I tried to open the rear door....although I can't see how the hazard lights would be on the same circuit as say the rear wiper motor or license plate light. If it was a body ground short wouldn't it cause a fuse to blow? It was cold this morning - 30 degrees... could that be a factor?

 

The weather would not play a role. Post your code once you find it as your wiring harness may be pinched in the rear hatch,
FF

 

I tried to read the codes and I'm not getting anything. If I turn the key one click only the odometer lights up - tried it three times only mileage #. Tried turning it two clicks - all dash lights light up but after three times I still only get mileage #. It's a 2005 Durango and the remote key doesn't work - could that that anything to do with it. Any help would be great - thanks guys.

 

Autozone will pull your codes for free or a small fee,
FF

 

I have a better suggestion. Run the VIN on your truck for recalls. This is sounding eerily like the dashboard recall that causes the lights to come on and off randomly and then the truck catches fire. Most of the Durangos are covered under recall for this, even if your truck is not on the recall list, I'd suggest getting ahold of Dodge immediately (corporate, not the dealer) and then get it into the dealer for them to check it out.

 

Thanks for the suggestion - but it was recalled and that issue was addressed. I have found a place to read the code - but the light has gone out before I could get there. I had the windshield replaced last summer - my latest theory is that water is entering the car under the dash and when it gets really cold it may be the problem. Since it has started to warm up we haven't had the problem. I also ask my wife drive around with the heat on max directed to the floor boards for about a week to dry our any mosture under the dash. If it's leaking - it not leaking alot. Just a theory - but I talked to Dodge and there theory's require me giving them hundreds of dollars... with no guarantee's.