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Sweet Candlessence
New User
Apr 15, 2008, 3:12 AM
Post #1 of 4
(8196 views)
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1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4
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If anyone could help me with this, it would be greatly appreciated! We were on our way home from visiting my parents, as I was following behind my husbands vehicle, and just as we approached town, my entire cab went black, dashboard lights went out, and I heard a faint "pop", so I flagged him with my brights and pulled the truck over. Come to find out, my rear lights were not working either. Yes, the brakes, blinkers, and back up light worked, but no tail lights. My husband replaced the fuse after he got home from work, and we went into town. It was still daylight, so we didnt need the lights at that time. Upon heading back home, I turned the lights on, and no dashboard or tail lights, but hubby did check the tail lights before we left, which were working at that time. We pulled over, and he again replaced the fuse, to no avail, it burned out as well immediately.
My truck has never done this before, and we are at a complete loss as to what could be causing this. My husband is just fine when it comes to general maintenance on a vehicle, but when it comes to things we dont either have the knowledge or tools for, he is at a loss. We've owned this truck for 4 years now, and this is the first time it's blown a fuse even. There was nothing out of the ordinary that happened either.
My truck is a 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4, it is a V8, which (L) I am not positive about, but I believe it is a 5.2. Other than that, the only other problem is tranny slippage that has occurred ever since we hired someone to rebuild our tranny, which my husband ended up rebuilding instead because of the ineptitude of the guy that "rebuilt" it. That's a whole nother story.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Sweet Candlessence
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dave284
Enthusiast
Apr 15, 2008, 6:53 AM
Post #2 of 4
(8193 views)
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Re: 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4
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Have you tried replacing the light switch yet?,...there could be short in it.
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brbettge
User
Apr 15, 2008, 11:37 AM
Post #3 of 4
(8189 views)
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Re: 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4
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you have a short to ground in the tail light circuit. The interior lights are also in this circuit. the only way i have ever been able to find "shorts" is by isolating the individual circuits. first to check are the obvious places where a wire could have been snagged or cut. probably near the tail light assemblies themselves. has there been a bulb replaced recently? has anyone installed a trailer light connector? a radio? speakers? any electrical part under the dash? any other part under the dash? wires don't just suddenly break in two unless they are in a position where they are constantly stressed like where they run between the door and the dash(as in electric windows,locks,etc). I can gaurantee that your "short" will be found where some work has recently been done or possibly where a wire was snagged(like by brush at the rear of the truck where the wires enter the light assembly). never "open" a wireing harness(removing the tape or guards from a bundle of wires) the problem will NEVER be found here; and this simply opens your electrical system to future problems. Once again; look in or near any spot where some type of work has been done within the last - as much as one year - or less. don't forget any work that has been done by proffesional shops....anyone can pinch a wire by accident that won't show up as a "short" or open circuit for quite some time. it takes time for a pinched wire to finally break in two and/or begin rubbing against a ground. good luck! rick
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 16, 2008, 6:05 AM
Post #4 of 4
(8180 views)
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Re: 1996 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4
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Guess: In that it's a truck look for hackery with trailer lighting or just plain troubles there. That stuff is exposed to the elements more than other places which could short,
T
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