Headlight trouble

[Fishing Junky]

Hey Guys. I have a 97 Dodge Ram 4x4 w/5.9 liter w/46000 miles on it. I always use my remote start to start it before work, as I only live a mile from work and like to get it up to temp before I get there. Yesterday when I hopped in the truck with it running from the remote, my headlights would not come on. The running lights were on, but no headlights when I pulled the switch. I thought maybe the remote start would not allow them to come on for some reason, and I turned the truck off and started with the key. The headlights then came right on. This morning the same thing happened, but would not come on after shutting the truck off and starting with the key. I sat there in the dark thinking I was going to be late for work and after about a minute the lights came on. Any thoughts what might be happening? Bad switch? A short? The remote start unit? Thanks for any help. Junky......

[Jeremy airjer W]

With or without daytime running lamps. Did you check Fuse #6 in the power distribution center (underhood fuse box on drivers side)? Its one of the really big 40 amp maxi fuses.

[Valv]

I don't think Dodge had any DRL in these years, and not even now.

I suggest contacting the mfg of the remote start, ther has been something for your truck to fix this problem.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Valv, The wiring diagrams show with or without DRL for 97. I can't ever recall seeing one myself.

[Fishing Junky]

Hey Guys. My truck has no DTRL. I called the installer of my remote and he said that they tie into the running lights, not the headlights, so it is unlikely the cause of the problem. I'm thinking a bad light switch at this point, but who knows with electrical? Just got off work and the lights acted like nothing happened. In the morning it might be different. Thanks for any suggestions. Junky.

[Jeremy airjer W]

If you have no low beams but have high beams (we don't know if you had high beams) I would suspect the dimmer switch. The headlight switch sends power through one wire to the dimmer switch wich decides if that power goes to the low beam or the high beam.

If you don't have high or low beams theres a good chance its the headlamp switch. You only have to check two wires to confirm. The power supply is red/lt green. it should have power all the time, key on or key off. the second is the one wire that supplies power to the dimmer wich is a light green wire. It should have power when the headlight switch is on.

If those check out you need to move to the dimmer switch. Check for power in on the lt green wire and power out for low beam on the violet/white wire and high beam red/orange.

I could E-mail a wireing diagram to you if you'd like. This really is an easy diagnosis as long as you can get them not to work!

[Fishing Junky]

Thanks for the great info Airjer. I will check out the wiring as described on Monday, my next day off. You make some excellent points and I again thank you. Junky....

[Valv]

Quote:

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Valv, The wiring diagrams show with or without DRL for 97. I can't ever recall seeing one myself.

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I didn't know, sorry Airjer, I always thought they were a pain in the @#$%^ anyway, I had 2 Chevy trucks lately and disconnected fuse right away.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Call me old fashioned valv, but I don't like DRL's either. I also don't care for power windows, power seats (especially memory seats), anti-lock brakes, power locks (especially the ones that auto lock at certain speeds) and automatic climate control. I do however like power mirrors for some reason.

Old fashioned or possibly a little loopy!