truck: '96 1500 extended cab 2wd 318 auto
problem: Fuse keeps blowing which knocks out the dash lights, fog lights, and running lights. Headlights work and the turn signals and brake lights work. I put a new headlight switch in and found a small ground going from the negative terminal to the body that was broken, I fixed it. Truck was fine for 2 weeks and now the problem is back. Any clue if this is a regularly occuring problem with this era Dodge? I am not good at tracking down electrical problems so any help would be a plus. Is there a place where the rear light harness can be unplugged so I can try to isolate the problem to the front or back half of the truck? It has an aftermarket pioneer headunit but it has been installed since 1997 or so and has never been out since installed.[/align]This is my girlfriend truck and its a pain since she can't work after dark and she doesn't like driving my 11 second Mustang or my old POS '83 GMC 2500.[/align]Thanks for any help![/align]

 

that could also be your dimmer switchto i had a 91 dakota (i know not a second gen ram) and it have it so the headlgihts didnt work and i changed the headlight switch 3 times till i decided to try the dimmer switch and that was it it worked for 2 years until i sold it, then the guy totaled it

 

The dimmer switch is part of the headlight switch. i am thinking about putting the old switch back in. The problem went away after I put in the new switch and fixed the ground. The new switch doesn't have the same "feel" as the old one, no little "click" or bump when turn the interior lights on.

 

yea i was meaning the switch with all of your windshield wiper controls and everything, i belive you are refering to the switch you pull out to turn on your lights

 

The wipersare on a stalk out of the column. Yes I changed the headlight switch you pull out.

 

Most times when a switch pops its because theres to much amperage going through the circut. I know theres a mod you can do that adds a couple relays to the Multifunction switch on the stearing column. That switch has a tendency of blowing because of too much amperage. A simmilar mod might be possible with the headlight switch on the dash that you pull out to turn on the lights. Im having a simmilar issue with lights at the momment. Alothough mines the opposite. I dont have headlights but have park lights and fog lights.

 

Last night I went outside. If I pull the headlight switch out halfway before the running light position, the lights the "don't work" come on, even with a blown fuse. If I put the switch in the running light or headlight on positions, the running lights and dash lights don't work.I am going to put the old original headlight switch back in and see what happens.
ANY CLUE?

 

I put the oem headlight switch in and it has been ok for 2 days now. I pulled the radio out and all the connections where good, now loos wire behind the dash.

 

problem came back again, messed up thing is both times it has happened is when we were going to pick up a rental car, I don't think the truck likes when we don't take it on trips. Haven't had a chance to check it out yet. any other ideas?

 

I found the problem. Right below the overflow tank, the harness that runs to the fog lights and the passenger parking light was rubbing on a support and wore through the loom cover and the wiring. At least it is an easy fix and i found it pretty quickly once the problme came back.