2nd Gen Ram Tech 1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.

Headlight issue I can't see in the dark

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 10-10-2011, 12:33 PM
JamesMore's Avatar
JamesMore
JamesMore is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Headlight issue I can't see in the dark

Maybe I am going blind in my young age but when I drive at night I was having a real hard time seeing. I looked at my head lights and could see the right hand side one was very dim. It was also very cool to the touch and not putting out any where as much heat as the other headlight.Any way a cop also agreed and pulled me over last night about it.

How easy is it to change a 1997 Dodge headlights ? I was reading and also heard it might be a ground issue ideas ?
 
  #2  
Old 10-10-2011, 12:48 PM
zman17's Avatar
zman17
zman17 is offline
Retired Moderator - RIP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NH
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Maybe you just need to replace the bulbs?
 
  #3  
Old 10-10-2011, 01:11 PM
JamesMore's Avatar
JamesMore
JamesMore is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

That's what I plan to do how easy is it ? do I need to remove the housing or is it just a case of removing the harness and putting the new bulb in. Not near the truck so can not tell my self.
 
  #4  
Old 10-10-2011, 01:20 PM
zman17's Avatar
zman17
zman17 is offline
Retired Moderator - RIP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NH
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

You twist and remove the plug from the back side. Get a Haynes manual or download the free service manual from the FAQ/DIY section. Either one will help you out a lot with many different issues/procedures.
 
  #5  
Old 10-10-2011, 01:40 PM
stewie01's Avatar
stewie01
stewie01 is offline
Legend
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 8,914
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Call me old fashioned but I still prefer the sealed glass headlights. They seem to light up the road better then plain cheap bulbs.
 
  #6  
Old 10-10-2011, 02:06 PM
SilverSS's Avatar
SilverSS
SilverSS is offline
Captain
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I agree with you stewie. Plastic doesn't discolor and they seem just as bright. But I guess that's our improved technology lol. Op the bulbs are easy enough to change out. New housings are relatively cheap on eBay if they are really shot. If the plastic is just cloudy and dull looking instead of clear you can get a headlight restore kit. I used the 3m kit and was pretty happy with it
 
  #7  
Old 10-10-2011, 02:21 PM
stewie01's Avatar
stewie01
stewie01 is offline
Legend
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Posts: 8,914
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

On the topic of lights anyone else notice all the 2nd Gen Rams with new front blinker lights with the old faded headlight housing?
 
  #8  
Old 10-10-2011, 02:24 PM
zman17's Avatar
zman17
zman17 is offline
Retired Moderator - RIP
Join Date: May 2008
Location: NH
Posts: 18,729
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 16 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by stewie01
On the topic of lights anyone else notice all the 2nd Gen Rams with new front blinker lights with the old faded headlight housing?

That's because they don't get sand blasted nearly as much.
 
  #9  
Old 10-10-2011, 07:29 PM
JamesMore's Avatar
JamesMore
JamesMore is offline
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks guys once I put the new bulbs in I will look to give the headlights a little bit of polish with some toothpaste and see if that makes any change if it does then I will go grab the 3m kit.
 
  #10  
Old 10-11-2011, 09:20 AM
kadetklapp's Avatar
kadetklapp
kadetklapp is offline
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 331
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Don't waste your money on new bulbs. There is an electrical issue with the right hand side headlamp. Mine is a mess. I'm suspecting a bad ground. I need to pull a harness at the junkyard and pull mine apart. I'm also suspecting the factory wiring harness is too small a gauge wire and that leaves the passenger side light low on power. Easy enough to check with a meter but I haven't messed with it yet. Three bulbs didn't change anything on mine.

I own and have driven Chevy Caprices for years. I thought they had the worst stock headlights. I was wrong. The Ram has awful headlights.
 


Quick Reply: Headlight issue I can't see in the dark



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:10 AM.