Headlight electrical issue
#1
![Default](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Ok i did some searching but havent found what i was looking for. I went for a drive tonight and the trucks headlights will cut out when I tilt my wheel down. The fog lights will sometimes be the only ones on and sometimes they wont stay on. With the wheel the whole way up everything works fine. I didnt see any pinched wires anywhere so could it be a bad ground somewhere or a switch?
#2
![Default](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
That could be a faulty ground, but I would get the battery & alternator tested too. Low voltage can cause that stuff to go wonky in order to keep power to the plugs for basic operation. I would check all the major connections at the pos/neg cables at both ends because that can cause all this too. Baring that, I would say it is time to start tracing wires for shorts in the column. If it comes to that & you are not really into wiring, I would say go to an auto electric specialist for definitive answers. Let us know what you find!
#3
#5
![Default](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Yea it was a little weird. I was going down the road and went to adjust my wheel and BAM no lights.. I didnt seem to mind as much as the old lady did but o well.. Im gonna head out now and see what i can find. The battery terminals are brand new. Did them when it was gettin the transfer case changed along with a full tune up.
#6
![Default](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
You should start checking the continuity between all the terminals on the switches, grounds, power, headlight relays, etc. You'll need a manual with electrical diagrams and an ohmmeter and some patience. Test everything with the wheel in the position causing the problem.
Edit: You'll want to disconnect the battery and have the headlight switch in the "on" position.
Edit 2: Testing the relays will require driving power to their appropriate terminals then checking continuity to see if they are functioning properly (so I would check those last)
Edit: You'll want to disconnect the battery and have the headlight switch in the "on" position.
Edit 2: Testing the relays will require driving power to their appropriate terminals then checking continuity to see if they are functioning properly (so I would check those last)
Last edited by grox; 11-01-2011 at 01:05 PM.
#7
![Default](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Well I got it all figured out. I hate doing anything electrical but this was pretty easy. First i pulled all the covers off for the column and and removed all the electrical tape to check the wires. Didnt find anything there so I moved onto the plugs. Narrowed it down to the plug behind the highbeam/wiper/turn signal arm. Pulled that plug and found this.
![Name: light1.jpg
Views: 25
Size: 68.8 KB](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/attachments/2nd-gen-ram-tech/60682d1501329171-headlight-electrical-issue-light1.jpg)
I pulled the connector out of the plug to be able to have some room to work.
Connector out.
![Name: 2.jpg
Views: 19
Size: 150.3 KB](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/attachments/2nd-gen-ram-tech/60683d1501329171-headlight-electrical-issue-2.jpg)
I put the wire back into the connector and put a little bit of solder on to help keep it in then put some electrical tape around the connection for some extra insurance.
![](http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt75/dlyter09/3.jpg)
With all that done I put the connector back into the plug and with the tape on there I used a small set of needle nose pliers and shoved it into the plug so it stayed nice and tight. Put everything back together and its all fixed now. I did discover that I had a 5 amp mini fuse blown for my illumination but thats not as much of a big deal as the headlights not working.
Hope this helps for anyone who could have the same kind of issue as I did.
![Name: light1.jpg
Views: 25
Size: 68.8 KB](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/attachments/2nd-gen-ram-tech/60682d1501329171-headlight-electrical-issue-light1.jpg)
I pulled the connector out of the plug to be able to have some room to work.
Connector out.
![Name: 2.jpg
Views: 19
Size: 150.3 KB](https://dodgeforum.com/forum/attachments/2nd-gen-ram-tech/60683d1501329171-headlight-electrical-issue-2.jpg)
I put the wire back into the connector and put a little bit of solder on to help keep it in then put some electrical tape around the connection for some extra insurance.
![](http://i599.photobucket.com/albums/tt75/dlyter09/3.jpg)
With all that done I put the connector back into the plug and with the tape on there I used a small set of needle nose pliers and shoved it into the plug so it stayed nice and tight. Put everything back together and its all fixed now. I did discover that I had a 5 amp mini fuse blown for my illumination but thats not as much of a big deal as the headlights not working.
Hope this helps for anyone who could have the same kind of issue as I did.
Trending Topics
#9