Ok. so for a while now Ive had issues with the bright lights, they would blink out every once in a while, but if I switched from dim to bright they would be ok for a lil bit. Well tonight the obvious happened.

BOOM, nothing, nada. no lights at all. Also no brake lights.

I have running lights, my trailer light work, but no headlights or brake light. THe dash lights work, and the bright light indicator works, but if I wiggle on the pull nob they blink out.
I pulled the headlight switch down and it looks like pigeon poop on top of the switch, like the windshield is leaking water on it or something. I had a switch outa a 85 ramcharger, but the same happened, no headlights or brake lights.

Heres my question,,,,,

DO I have a deeper issue. I also swapped out my dimmer switch with the one in my parts ramcharger, and same thing happened.

Fuses are ok, etc, etc...


Oh it seemed like the lights got SUPER bright before this happened.

Any ideas??

Thanks

Kasey

I've replaced the light switch and dimmer switch in the past.

I've several of these trucks, and like mentioned before, the headlight switch and floor dimmer switch are pretty weak. I would never perform a test with another old switch, only new ones, as they just aren't expensive.

Also, the bulkhead connectors can be problematic.

But the single best upgrade I've done to all of my trucks was to simply make a new, separate wiring harness to all of the lights that becomes a dedicated ground circuit, straight to the battery! The difference this makes is amazing! While you are at it, make sure all of the ground straps are still there, attached, and clean.

my '79 did that. first oil the dimmer switch, sometimes they act up, and that will usually cure it. If the problems continues, try a new switch, but also check the bulkhead connector.

The headlight switch or circuit has a breaker in it... sounds like yours is tripping and knocking out the headlights. The switch itself, the dimmer switch on the floor and bulkhead connector all are potential problems. Also wiring between them. I'd check wiring around the dimmer switch and from the bulkhead connector to the lights for signs of heat, chafing or corrosion.

Once you get it sorted out, suggest two things 1) get a relay system for the headlights. This will take the load off the headlight switch and dimmer switch with relays in the engine compartment. LMC truck, other or homemade works for this. Your headlights will work a lot better and less load on the wiring. 2) bypass the bulkhead connector if not already done to get charging current and heavy loads off the bulkhead connector.

Got the headlight issue fixed, I had a 10 gauge black wire in the bulkhead melt and it melted the little red wire above the black wire and they melted together. The switch was ok, but I replaced it anyways, the dimmer switch always felt funny so I replaced that.

still no headlights after I fixed the wires, BUT when the 2 wires touched they backfed and blew all 4 headlights out. So I replaced 4 headlights and they work.

Still no brake lights.

Have power at the switch, power at the fuse block, but I cant trace power out from the bulkhead connector. I have power at the curved connector at the column, but nothing on the t wires going back.

Any ideas there??

maybe the short ruined the turn signal switch also---brake lights go through the turn signal too....

Everytime that has happened on any Mopar I've owned I would replace the floor dimmer and it would always solve the problem.

OK, it ended up being melted wires, melted bulk head, 4 blown headlights, blown tail lamp, and a melted down turn signal switch. All happened at the same time!!!


It got a new dimmer switch, headlight switch, turn signal switch headlights, a tail lamp bulb, and some wires.

Sounds like you were lucky the truck didn't burn to the ground! Gene