why does my 1998 dodge ram diesel not have any low or high beam head lights, only high beam when pulling and holding the dimmer switch?

 

Bad headlight switch? 2 or 4 headlight system?

 

ok, im wondering why I cannot get my low and high beam lights to come on, even after changing out the headlight dash switch and the steering column multi switch? The only way I can get the headlights to come on is when I pull the dimmer switch and hold it, the high beams come on but do not stay on when released!?
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ok well I appreciate any response but still not sure if I have a faulty new multiswitch or dash headlight switch or broken wires that I cant see but the purple wire with a black stripe has no power when tested and the light green wire with a black stripe has power and a dodge online mechanic is telling me that indicates a bad multi/dimmer switch....thanks for any help you may have

 

2 or 4 headlight system? I can't help you if you don't answer my questions.

 

hey you, im so sorry i did not see your reply as was away from the computer etc,...yes my 98 dodge ram diesel is only a two lamp headlight system and i was unaware that those older trucks even had a quad headlights even offered at the time? I am getting long in the tooth with this issue and what im being told by dodge is it is a bad multi switch as they told me to check the purple wire with the black stripe for power and I had none and then check the light green wire with the black stripe for power and I did have power and this is where they say I have a faulty multi switch!? so here is my dilemma , I had changed out the main dash headlight switch and still no headlights , so then i bought the special torx style screw driver to remove and replace the multi switch and still no headlights and i even checked for pulled wires from the tilt steering action that I hear can cause problems and did not see anything. There are no relays for this headlight system it appears so im at a loss. I am not a savey wiring diagram guy but this has got to be something simple that i cant grasp with my limited knowledge and guess I will have to take it in to the dealership and pay the bill at their mercy as ive been laid off for a year now and the $$ are not flowing anymore, lol. Apparently the day time driving lights that do work are really the high beams in a lower amperage and i checked the low beam portion of the bulbs and the elements are intact.

 

Quads came out in 98.5 model year, on the sport models. So, it's a tossup whether it was available on yours.
Since you DON'T have the quad system though, that makes life MUCH easier. Headlamp switch provides power to the multifunction switch, which then runs off to the headlamps. The MF switch always has power running to it from the headlamp switch, even when the headlamps are off. So, apparently, you have power to the headlamp switch at least. Need to see if you are getting power OUT of the switch. (which is going to require digging into the dash, or the steering column, whichever is easier for you.)

With the headlmaps On, You should have power coming out of the switch on the light green/black trace wire. (pin "P" on the headlamp switch, or, pin 21 on the MF switch.)

You should see power coming OUT of the MF switch on pin 18 (violet with white trace) for low beams, or, pin 20 (red with orange trace) for high beams.

Verify that stuff, and let me know what ya find.

If you want one, you can download the service manual for your truck from here. Wiring diagrams are in section 8W, (simply labeled "wiring diagrams".....) front lighting is section 8W50.

 

hello HEYYOU, ok I checked for power on the wires leading to and fro from the multiswitch and found only power in the light green/black trace and no power in the High Beam Red/orange trace and the low beam Violet/white trace wires. What do you think? I appreciate any ideas you may have. Should I unscrew the multiswitch from the steering column to hopefully get enough room to access the actual pins with the test light instead of just poking wires and trying to hold them so as not to pull them out of the pins etc. maybe this info will spark an idea why I have no power to these other wires n lights. If it is the multiswitch , then why would the new one I tried n took back to the auto part store not work either?

 

hello HEYYOU, ok I checked for power on the wires leading to and fro from the multiswitch and found only power in the light green/black trace and no power in the High Beam Red/orange trace and the low beam Violet/white trace wires. What do you think? I appreciate any ideas you may have. Should I unscrew the multiswitch from the steering column to hopefully get enough room to access the actual pins with the test light instead of just poking wires and trying to hold them so as not to pull them out of the pins etc. maybe this info will spark an idea why I have no power to these other wires n lights. If it is the multiswitch , then why would the new one I tried n took back to the auto part store not work either? Oooops I double answered your reply

 

Bad multifunction switch. Wouldn't be the first time I got a bad part, right out of the box.

It isn't as simple as the wires being pulled slightly out of the connector is it?? Could try pushing them in further with a pointy object, and see if that helps. (headlights off please. )