Just bought a 1997 Ram 1500 5.2L V8, and when the steering wheel is up the lights go on , but when you put the steering wheel down the lights go off, and only the high beams work, can any one help me with this?

 

Welcome to DF.

Check the wiring going to your multifunction turn signal switch. Maybe even replace the unit (get one from a salvage yard, cheaper that way) if the wires all look good. They are semi-notorious for going bad.

 

mie went bad a few months ago, easy fix, was doing similar, except when i put my sterring wheel up, the highbeams came on... until i put it down...

 

Sounds like you have a broken wire from the flexing when steering column is moved.

 

take the covers off the steering column and you'll see a huge wad of wires and a big connector. probably a pinched or broken wire in that group. you should be able to wiggle them one at a time and find your problem.

 

check your headlight switch too while you're at it. They are well known to go bad too

 

that wiggle thing, was at one time ford answer for shorting wires, called it, and this is not made up, the wiggle test... as most techs back then called it...

 

Your answer has already been said, but it does sound like wires are chaffing, and when you move the wheel it moves the wires to touch each other. One of them is a consistant power source, and your headlight wire is touching that when the wheel is moved, thus turning them on....thats what i think.

 

kk ill try all that thanx