Headlight problem with rebuilt '97 Ram
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Joined: Oct 2006
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Headlight problem with rebuilt '97 Ram
Okedokety. I'm posting for a friend who just recently had his 97 Ram rebuilt. He threw a rod in the old engine; couldn't pull over in time. Well, being the crazy crackhead that he is he had a brand spankin' new v8 magnum engine installed. Now he gets no gas mileage. The engine itself has barely a 1K miles on it, so he's in engine swap hell. The latest problem from the truck is being pulled over five times in the past week because of headlights. Ligthbulbs are brand new, fuses are good, so is the new alternator and battery, and the headlights still will not work. (I haven't exactly seen the nature of the problem yet, he's gonna let me look at it Friday morning if I can get off from work.) Any ideas on the headlights?
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RE: Headlight problem with rebuilt '97 Ram
Headlight switch is bad. Ask your buddy if he recalls smelling any kind of plastic burning recently.
Before you change the headlight switch, remove the 2 piece cowl around the steering column, just BEHIND the wheel. In between the steering wheel and the dash. There should be 2 screws on the bottom. Make sure that the wiring harness is plugged in securely. There have also been some problems with tilt steering wheels jarring the harness loose. That harness contains the wires for the high/low beams.
I would bet a months wages that the headlight switch is bad. You may even see melted plastic in some spots. The switch runs near max amperage right from the factory. You will probably end up having to relay the headlights.
Someone said that Chrysler had a redesigned switch for this. The rest of us redid the wires ourselves. If you know how to crimp, and can follow directions,.....lol, you can relay the system yourself.
Good luck.
Before you change the headlight switch, remove the 2 piece cowl around the steering column, just BEHIND the wheel. In between the steering wheel and the dash. There should be 2 screws on the bottom. Make sure that the wiring harness is plugged in securely. There have also been some problems with tilt steering wheels jarring the harness loose. That harness contains the wires for the high/low beams.
I would bet a months wages that the headlight switch is bad. You may even see melted plastic in some spots. The switch runs near max amperage right from the factory. You will probably end up having to relay the headlights.
Someone said that Chrysler had a redesigned switch for this. The rest of us redid the wires ourselves. If you know how to crimp, and can follow directions,.....lol, you can relay the system yourself.
Good luck.
Joined: Aug 2007
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RE: Headlight problem with rebuilt '97 Ram
I BOUNGT A 97 RAM 1500 USED HAD 8 MOUTHS NOW WEVE REPLACED THE LIGHT SWITCH 6 TIMES ASKED THE DODGE DEALERS IN THE AREA NO HELP WAS WONDERING IF ANY BODY CAN TELL ME ABOUNT THE SWITH UP GRADE LMC IS GOT A KIT THAT HOOKS TOO THE BATTER THEN BUGES IN TO THE HEADLIGTS WITH RELAYS THEY CLAIM THEY SOLD TO POLPLE WITH THE SAME POLBLEM CANT AFFORD TO TAKE TOO THE DEALER WIFES TO SICK ANY HEIP WOULD BE GRAFUL