Apologies if this question has been asked.. I'm new to the forum!

A friend of mine owns a 1997 Dodge Ram 3/4 ton, V-10. He has been having problems with his headlight switch burning out.
He doesn't have internet access, so I'm trying to help him out.

He says his lights would flicker, then eventually fail all together... This doesn't happen right away, but over time. He's replaced the switch 3 times over the past 3 or 4 years. At $100+ a pop... it's getting expensive!
Obviously a very dangerous situation. He replaces his light switch and all is well for a while until it happens again. The dealer of course... won't admit there is a problem.

I did some research and it would appear this is a common problem that has occurred over many models and years of Dodge.

I was examining his old switch, and the 'H' terminal of the switch is extremely discolored from heat. Obviously it has been drawing too much load or something. The truck has all OEM lighting. Nothing high-powered or aftermarket.


Does anyone know of a permanent fix for this?
I was thinking a person could put a 30 amp relay in between the 'H' terminal and direct battery. Use the OEM wire to run the relay and then the battery to run the lights. This is a standard way to run an off road light system. (Or run the dual relay system on the high and low beams)
This way you could remove any high load from the headlight switch and put it on the relay.
I was also wondering if a simple 12 volt fan mounted above the switch would help.

Thoughts?



Is there a class-action suit going on with the headlight switch failures? If so, can someone let me know who to contact?

Thanks,

H.

 

I did a quick search and couln't find a TSB on it, but I've heard a few other complaints of the same thing. I wouldn't put a fan in there, as the sound of it would get annoying real quick. I'd add a relay, like you were thinking of doing, and take all of the load off the switch and see how that holds up.

 

I am having the same problem, I have replaced the headlight switch twice. The switch and the dash get to hot to touch. My headlights will blink on and off, sometimes the radio won't work. I have had it to two wiring mechanics and they say it is ok. My atuo mechanic has also said it is not a problem. However, it is to me! I am pulling a trailer. Any suggestions?

 

There was a bulletin years ago to replace the switch and add power relays to the light switch. The problem is too much current went thru the switch. The relays take up the current. You can do this yourself with some wiring knowledge. The main thing is to take the headlights on one relay and the park lights on another relay. Then the headlight switch only handles low current to activate the relays.

 

hi i am new here . i have a 98 dodge dakota with the same problem of flickering headlights , due to my headlight switch overheating . this is what i tryed and it proved that the headlight switch was overheating .
i took the dash panel off to get at my headlight switch .
above the switch is the air vent . in the bottom of the air vent i cut 3 sides about 2" x 2" , like this: ( l__l ). then i reached in the hole where the headlight switch goes , and pushed up on the tab so that some of the air comming through the vent would be directed downward to keep the headlight switch cool and from overheating. i then put it back together, and started the truck , and turned on the lights and waited for them to start flickering again , witch they did . then i turned on the blower fan and about 15 seconds later , the lights stoped blinking , and worked normal again. its been one week now and no flickering or loosing my lights.
so this proves to me that the switch is overheating , but what i dont know yet is what is causing it to overheat . if you got the answer , please let me know . thank you. ben.

 

But when it gets cold out and you crank the heat (if you 'have' heat) then you overheat the switch prematurely. Best bet, put in a relay suitable for the amount of amps being drawn. Granted you now have two points for failure, but the $7 relay is cheaper and easier to replace than the switch would be.

 

yes, you are right . i do nave to keep the air flow slightly cooler , to keep the headlight switch from overheating . but like i said , this was just a test to prove to myself that the headlight switch was indeed over heating . now i will take your advice and install the relay .

thank you very much.

 

ANy particular reason we are resurrecting a FIVE YEAR OLD topic?? Pushing Six??????

 

@HeyYou, possibly because some of us actually still are having this problem.. and all the links to wiring diagrams are dead... Thus the reason we look for new ones... Just sayin..

 

i talked to a guy at canadian tire tonight about my overheated heated headlight switch , and he told me to reverse the wires on my day time running light module and my problem would be solved . so tomorrow i will try this . he said the dtrl module has 4 relays in it .
i am just trying to find or solve this problem and hopefully help others with this problem . lately i am seeing lots of cars going with blinking headlights.