2001 Dodge Ram Headlights

KOOTA

MEMBER
2001 DODGE RAM
V8
4WD
AUTOMATIC
120,000 MILES

I don't know what is wrong with my headlights. I do not have low beam, but I switch to high beam and thew headlights come on but they don't seem that bright. I bought new lamps, and put those in. Could it be the dimmer switch? I want to make sure because some places do not take back electrical parts. Can you help me out? Also my fog lights don't work but I have not checked the lamps yet. PLEASE HELP !

3 Replies

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

Welcome to the forum. The info I looked at was w/o drl and w/o quad, 5.9L engine. You may have more than one problem, I'd start with the dimmer switch. Voltage to the headlamps is hot all the time. On and off, bright and dim are controlled on the ground circuit.

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Friday, October 30th, 2009 AT 10:16 AM

KOOTA

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Jdl123,

I am not following you very well on your answer, I really do not know very much about wiring on a vehicle. Your pretty much saying the dimmer is bad, right? I need to get it fixed because of state inspection ran out, The dimmer switch is $49.99 includes the arm, relay and switch. The only other thing to replace would be the on and off switch on the dash. Anyway the old mare is paid for and its been a damn good pickup. I will mkae a donation.

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Friday, October 30th, 2009 AT 7:29 PM

JDL

MECHANIC
16,098 POSTS

I always suspect the dimmer, but, after looking at the wiring info, again. The low beam is grounded through the head lamp switch, the high beam is grounded through the dimmer. I'd replace the switch not the dimmer. Thanks for the donation, it all helps. I can send a wiring diagram if you want?

I need to add, there is one more check. There should be multiwire connector under dash close to steering column, lite green wire coming from the steering column should be ground for low beam. If you ground that wire, low beams should work if the problem is the headlamp switch/wiring circuit. The wiring info is causing me a problem because the low beam circuit also comes through the dimmer. I hate to see you spend money on the wrong part?

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Friday, October 30th, 2009 AT 7:49 PM