I have a 2001 Ram Sport 2WD. 5.2 V-8.
My low beam headlights quit working last week, the turn signals, brake,park and fog lamps all work EXCEPT the four-ways wich havent worked for a couple of years for some reason.
The high beams also work fine too.
I DONT think the problem is a broken wire in the multi-function because I never use the tilt-wheel feature.
So before I start throwing parts at it, what is the most likely culprit here? I'm thinking either the headlight switch or the multifunction.
I am unemployed, dont have a lot of money for parts or a repair shop.

Also, if one bulb went bad, would it prevent the other from working too?

Thanks for any help, I know this is a done-to-death subject here.

 

One bulb out will not 'cause' the other one not to work. Did you check the filaments in both bulbs?

My guess is headlight switch. I had one melt together on my old 96 ram around 160K. Same symptoms, only had brights for a bit, then had nothing.

You can try the junk yard to find any ones that look clean.

 

I had both headlights go out at the same time. I know this because when i upgraded my stockers to ultrastars, I put the stockers in my truck for safe keeping in case I needed them. Well, 4 years later my low beams went out but the high beams worked. I swapped them out and the problem was fixed.

There might have been a short somewhere, but it has been a year and a half and I haven't had a problem.

Change the bulbs. but inspect the switch like schmidt said. Otherwise this could be a chronic problem.

 

New guy here,

Not just here but this is my first ever dodge product, so Im tottally new to this scene. An expert I am not so wont even pretend. I just bought this 96 two weeks ago and soon found that my low beams only work with column in full upright position. Im sure its a short (but not in the multi Function switch) but likely in the column. I haven't yet tackled this yet as this is really the least of my issues and will probably be last to get attended to. but it might be worth trying several tilt positions before throwing parts at it. Good luck and if I get to it soon, Ill let you know what I find.

 

Ok, so I took the socket off the drivers side bulb and tested it with a test light, both prongs in the socket light the test light up with the headlight switch on or off.
Does this mean the bulbs?
And I cant get either plastic collar off the headlight bulbs, so I cant check the filaments right now. Should I try taking a channel locks to the collars, I dont want to break a headlight housing.
Is there a trick to getting these off?

 

The switch provides ground path. Dodge just had to be different. Bulb sockets are always hot.

If tilting the column makes 'em work, then you need to pull the covers off, and check the harness where it goes in to the multi-function switch. The harness was just a tad short..... so the wires tend to pull there.

 

you should be able to see if the bulbs are bad just by looking at them.

Its most likely the bulbs. Happened to me. One day they BOTH just went out but the high beams worked.

 

But is it OK to use a channel locks on the plastic collars or will that break them?
I CANT get the f-in' things off!

And can the wire in the multifunction switch still seperate even if I never use the tilt wheel?

What do I look for when I get the old bulbs out?

 

See if they are burnt, or the filaments broken.

 

Push IN then turn counter clockwise. You can do it with your hand. I been there too, so don't worry!

Be sure to push IN when you put them back. You may think they are in, but your lights won't work very well and you will be wondering what's wrong. HENCE why you are like a 4 year old trying to get a prescription medicine bottle open. They need to be in there FAR and TIGHT. Same thing with your fuel rail. Push IN then turn. Disconnecting my fuel rail was a PITA and I ended up breaking the nipple.

Try pushing in HARD when you turn the plastic tab counter clockwise.