I have a 1996 Ram 1500.

I've looked at the other posts on headlight failures and just wanted to throw some details about my specific problem to see if anyone knows for sure what to replace, headlight switch or dimmer switch, or something else.

The headlights stop working sometimes. The weather is cold, in the 30s. I am not going over bumps. Pulling back on the dimmer switch does not make the headlights come on. Turning the headlights on and off with the switch on the dash does nothing. The driving lights, dash lights, and marker lights all still work. Eventually the headlights come back on for no known reason.

 

Start with the wiring. Heck, it won't hurt to check the fuses while you're at it.

Besides for the fuses, don't do any replacing before you report back, since it would be better to upgrade your wiring.

Welcome to DodgeForum.

 

i dont believe their even is any fuses for the headlights...just relays...if there was a dead short it could temporarily trip one...when I bought my ram it had a bad ground on one of the lights and someone corrected it by running another ground wire and just wrapping the copper wire around another wire they melted the insulation off with a lighter (I suspect a roadside fix) but anyway if they tend to just turn off without hitting a bump or anything and then just come back on ,ontheir own I would suspect a short or failing switch (contacts can burn or corrode creating a poor connection)

 

my bet is that it is a plug some where that uses the blade type male/female connection. the brass or copper "loops" that the blades from the relay/switch contact expand and contract with temperature if aged, losing connection.( I have seen this before, check the switch in the dash first) try bending all contacts to give them a little more grip on the relays or light switch that plugs into them. you could also get the LMCTruck light harness that would help alot as your original harness won't be moving so much current.

 

Headlight switch is bad.I've put 3 of them on mine

 

Yea, Same here. I fixed my problem by installing extra relays right before the lights. Its pretty simple to do. Just need two 40 amp relays.

 

If all else fails and $$$$ is starting to wear thin from the 1001 different fixes,...try checking out your "multi function" switch, (take steering wheel off and you'll see it).

 

I had the same problem. No rhyme or reason for when it they would decide to turn off. Pulled headlight switch and found one contact that had been getting hot enough to start melting connector. Bought a new switch at AutoZone. Came with new pigtail harness and heatshrink tubing. Clipped off old connector, soldered wires to new connector. No problem since.

 

The only way to permanently fix the issue is the method mentioned by Cheat. Run the lights off of relays hooked directly to the battery. All the switch does is activate the relays.

No load on the switch = no switch failures.

Your lights are also slightly brighter by having them powered straight from the battery, rather than having the power go back to the switch and then back out to the bulbs. Just make sure you put some new fuses on there, since you are also basically bypassing the PDC by putting on the relays.

 

Thanks guys! This is what I figure is wrong with mine too. Headlights don't work. Fuses are fine. When I flash the bright switch, they flash but won't stay on unless I keep pulling back on the multi-function switch.

Is it easy to get at?

Mike (Newbie)