1996 Dodge Ram: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Jan 28, 2009 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · WI · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram. The contact noticed a chemical odor coming from the dashboard and the heater. The headlights flickered and the instrument panel lighting suddenly dimmed. The headlights went completely dim. The contact turned everything back on, but the headlights only illuminated for a few minutes. After driving without headlights, he noticed smoke coming from the vents on the driver's side. He pulled into his residence and turned off the vehicle, but the headlights remained illuminated. He attempted to turn the headlights off, but was unsuccessful. Smoke filled the vehicle and produced an awful odor. He removed the lamp fuse, but the buzzing noise still indicated that the headlights were illuminated. He reinserted the fuse and the buzzing sound continued. He noticed that the wiring harness was melted. The vehicle has not been repaired and is parked at his residence. The failure and current mileages were 180,000.

Filed Apr 9, 2007 · Lights · 9,900 miles · PA

Tl*- the contact owns a 1996 dodge ram pickup. While driving at 55 MPH the lights turned off. The contact was forced to stop the vehicle while it cooled off, and after approximately 15 minutes, the vehicles lights illuminated. Also, the failure caused the wiring harness to melt. The contact stated that this failure occurred too frequently . It began to occur 1 year after purchasing the vehicle, and he replaced the headlight switches over 12 times. Daimler/chrysler stated that the vehicle had too many miles on it and that it was not related to recall #99v024000 due to the VIN. The contact was aware of the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 9,900 and the current mileage was 177,000.

Filed Dec 6, 2006 · Lights · 134,000 miles · MN

Dt*: the contact stated while driving at night, the headlights failed intermittently without warning. The vehicle was driven to the dealer on four occasions and the ignition switch was replaced each time. However, the problem recurred. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 99v024000, regarding the headlight switch. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.

Filed Jul 11, 2005 · Lights · NC

Dt: consumer states: the headlight switch keeps burning up in his 1996 dodge ram truck. It is burning the wire harness that goes to the headlight switch. It could go out at any time. He had it replaced about 3-4 months ago and it is out again. He has talked to the dealer and they have made a special wire harness to splice into the wiring on the truck. They have had a lot of problems with this same thing. The dealer said chrysler was aware of the problem. He can be going down the road, and the lights will just go out. You can park it for a while, when you come back to start the car and switch on the headlights the headlights will not work. The last time he had it replaced, the wiring had melted the insulation.

Filed Aug 7, 2002 · Lights · WA

While driving at night, the headlights went out. Dealer determined the headlight switch burned out.*ak *cb

Filed Aug 10, 2001 · Electrical, Lights · MI

Headlights don't work when steering wheel is in a downward driving position. If steering wheel is pushed all the way up headlights come on. Consumer received a recall 00v135000/ manufacturer's recall 875. When vehicle was taken into dealer's repair shop, dealer wasn't sure if recall was for that specific problem. Dealer didn't fix it under recall.

Filed Jun 26, 2001 · Lights · WA

Headlights failed at night. Cycled switch several times before lights came back on. Repaired at dealer on 06/08/01. Dealer found some burnt wires from headlight switch, thru plastic multipin connector, to firewall. 1st report to dodge via internet on 06/05/01, ref # 8723405; ticket # 369336. Dodge response on 06/06/01, take it to the dealer for evaluation. On 06/08/01 dealer had to replace headlight switch and some of the wiring harness because of burnt wires, going thru connector to the dash. On 06/11/01, re-notified dodge via internet of this potential safety/fire issue since no fuse "opened" to prevent the burnt wires under the dash. And the fact that dealer personnel (mechanic) said they've seen this before but have had no problems with replacement switches. No response from dodge. Called 1-800 number 06/26/01 and was told there was only one message in file, customer service rep (derek) would not acknowledge 2nd msg inspite of fact I have automated response confirmation of receipt on 6/11/01. Derek? Said if its part of a recall, I am contacting the wrong department and if its not part of recall, "its a five year old truck, its customer responsibility". There is a recall (#819) on dodge ram 3500 for exactly the failure I experienced (eg overheat headlamp switch can cause fire and or cause sudden loss of headlights...). Cust omer service rep (derek) refused to discuss further...its a customer responsibility..help

Filed May 8, 2001 · Electrical · OH

The j2 wire from ignition caused a power spike,causing headlights to burn. A tsb has been issued on vehicle. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified.

Filed Oct 20, 2000 · Lights · GA

When switching from high beam to low beam headlights go out completely. After wiggling switch lights come back on. Problem has been mentioned to the dealership. Headlight switch was replaced 6 months ago under recall. *ak the problem reoccured recently. The customer thinks the dimmer switch failure is the cause not off-on switch.

Filed May 26, 2000 · Lights, Transmission · TX

During failure all of the warning lights flash the transmission goes haywire and the tachometer goes haywire. This truck has been at three different shops, we have changed out the transmission relay, the headlight lamp, serviced the transmisison and still cannot find the cause. In addition, we have replace a radio which has shorted out and the fuel indicator doesn't work. Both of which failed before the truck was three years old, unfortuneately just out of warranty.

Filed Apr 26, 2000 · Lights · CA

Headlamp switch and connector melted, amperage overload, reinstalled relay assembly and headlamp switch, notified by dealer that there is no recall on this, yet they are aware of the problem because they have redesigned the relay assembly

Filed Jan 10, 2000 · Lights · AZ

The headlights went out when I changed to high beams. I pulled off and cycle the switch and they came on. This happened several times. I continued to drive with just the low beams. The dealer said the "multi-function switch" had failed and replaced it. I think it is only fortunate that an accident did not occur.