Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 611

8L - 14 LAMPS/LIGHTING - EXTERIOR
HEADLAMP (Continued)
CONDITION
HEADLAMPS ARE DIM
WITH ENGINE IDLING
OR IGNITION TURNED
OFF
HEADLAMP BULBS BURN
OUT
FREQUENTLY
HEADLAMPS ARE DIM
WITH ENGINE RUNNING
ABOVE IDLE*
HEADLAMPS FLASH
RANDOMLY
HEADLAMPS (HIGH &
LOW) DO NOT
ILLUMINATE
POSSIBLE CAUSES
1. Loose or corroded battery cables.
2. Loose or worn generator drive
belt.
3. Charging system output too low.
4. Battery has insufficient charge.
5. Battery is sulfated or shorted.
6. Poor lighting circuit Z3-ground.
7. Both headlamp bulbs defective.
1. Charging system output too high.
2. Loose or corroded terminals or
splices in circuit.
1. Charging system output too low.
2. Poor lighting circuit Z3-ground.
3. High resistance in headlamp
circuit.
4. Both headlamp bulbs defective.
1. Poor lighting circuit Z3-ground.
2. High resistance in headlamp
circuit.
3. Faulty headlamps switch circuit
breaker.
4. Loose or corroded terminals or
splices in circuit.
1. No voltage at either headlamp.
2. No ground for high and low beam
circuit.
3. Headlamp bulb(s) defective.
4. Faulty headlamp switch.
5. Faulty headlamp dimmer
(Multifunction) switch.
CORRECTION
1. Clean and secure battery cable clamps
and posts.
2. Adjust or replace generator drive belt.
3. Test and repair charging system.
4. Test battery state-of -charge.
5. Load test battery.
6. Test for voltage drop across Z3-ground
locations.
7. Replace both headlamp bulbs.
1. Test and repair charging system.
2. Inspect and repair all connectors and
splices.
1. Test and repair charging system.
2. Test for voltage drop across Z3-ground
locations.
3. Test amperage draw of headlamp circuit.
4. Replace both headlamp bulbs.
1. Test for voltage drop across Z3-ground
locations.
2. Test amperage draw of headlamp circuit.
Should not exceed 30 amps.
3. Replace headlamp switch.
4. Inspect and repair all connectors and
splices.
1. Voltage should always be present. Trace
short circuit and replace BOTH headlamp
fuses. Check wiring circuit from Right
headlamp fuse to headlamp. (Repeat for
Left side)
2. Ground should always be present
according to switch position. Check ground
at headlamp switch. Check wiring circuit
from headlamp switch to Multifunction
switch. Check headlamp switch and
Multifunction switch continuity. Repair circuit
ground.
3. Replace bulb(s).
4. Replace headlamp switch.
5. Replace Multifunction switch.
BR/BE