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No parking lights?

Tiny
STEVIEBB
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 3.9L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 196,300 MILES
The parking lights, taillights, dash lights all work. If I barely pull the switch out but won't work when pulled into park or light position. I have used 2 new OEM switch's and the problem still exist. Headlights, turn signals, brake lights, flashers, and dome lights all work fine. What can be the problem?
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Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 AT 6:41 AM

16 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

I attached a wiring diagram for you to view. Check for powers into the headlight switch.

Check for power with a test light. I think you have either a bad fuse or a wiring issue to the switch.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Roy
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Sunday, February 23rd, 2020 AT 7:01 AM
Tiny
STEVIEBB
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Where can I find and print auto electrical system symbols?
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 AT 6:42 AM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Okay, if you go to Google and type in automotive electrical symbols and meanings, there are many available diagrams for all kinds of electric depending on what you are looking for.

Roy
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Wednesday, February 26th, 2020 AT 9:16 AM
Tiny
PHIL SIZEMORE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 199,000 MILES
I have changed bulbs an small fuses don't know wat else could be hopefully you can help me don't have back up lights turn signals work brake lights work license plate lights don't work wat else do I need to do chaged the fuses in the fuse box in the cab and under hood small ones only its a dodge Dakota 4x4 98 model um that's about it
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WRENCHTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 20,757 POSTS
The tag lights and back up lights are on entirely different circuits so the only way they can be connected is if there is a problem with the harness going to the rear. The tag lights are on the same circuit as the tail lights so if they work, the problem is in the wiring or tag light sockets. This guide can help with the tail light wiring diagrams below for your car so you can see how the system works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CGLENN1332
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1998 DODGE DAKOTA
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 79,540 MILES
My dash and tail lights are out I have checked the fuses and they are all good. I was just wondering what else could be the problem, and how I could go about fixing the problem.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
Have you checked fuses under the hood? Also, have you checked the headlight switch? Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EXPYOU
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 1997 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,000 MILES
I just bought a 1997 dodge dakota extend cab sport how can I find a tail light wire diagram or brake light diagram?
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
I have attached a schematic for the rear lighting system and the back up light syste.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EXPYOU
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Ok thank you may I ask on the plug factory plug that goes on tail light and brake light that plugs into each other theres a black wire that is cut from there any ideas where that goes? Or how to find out?
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
EXPYOU
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Whats going on is I bought this truck and they had trailer wiring hooked up to it and when I turned the turn signal to the left it flashes fast both front and back work I press the brake without headlights or park lights on brake works.I took off the tail light cover on each side and noticed the implemts on the bulb on the passenger side is alot brighter and the passenger side aint. When u turn the lights on the brake light comes on and when u press the brake on the passenger driver side it dont light up. From looking at the plug piece on the wire loom I removed all the tralier wires setup they had and attached the t connection back together still same but on drivers side the piece that plugs into t connection one black wire looks like its cut so im tring to find where that wire goes to.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,133 POSTS
Check to see if there is any power to the black wire. Something tells me it is a ground. Also, are you sure the bulbs are good? Something to think about. A burnt out bulb causes the signal to flash really fast. On the Dakota, there are two bulbs in the front that flash. If one is bad, the other will still light (and trick you into thinking the bulb is good). However, the burned out one will cause a fast flash too. Just food for thought. I had a similar problem, both front and rear were flashing fast, and I assumed the bulbs were good. However, when I removed the front lens, one of the bulbs was bad and when replaced, everything worked.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MITCH928
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 DODGE DAKOTA
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 190,000 MILES
The old headlight switch would not always turn the headlights on, so I replaced the switch with a new one from CarMax. Now my running lights will not work, everything else works- dash, headlights. Can you help
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Check fuse #14 in junction box left kick panel
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:10 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,542 POSTS
  • 1997 DODGE DAKOTA
I have a 1997 Dodge Dakota Sport. My dash lights and tail lights do not work. Checked the fuses and it was blown. I replaced it everything was fine for a few days. Today got in truck rode down the road suddenly no dash or taillights. Fuse blown changed it and the fuse blew again. Please tell me how to look for the short or if anyone has any idea how to fix this I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,727 POSTS
A simple trick to finding a short is to replace the blown fuse with a pair of spade terminals, then use small jumper wires to connect them to a 12 volt light bulb. A brake light bulb works well. When the circuit is live and the short is present, the bulb will be full brightness and hot so be sure it's not laying on the carpet or against a plastic door panel. Now you can unplug electrical connectors and move things around to see what makes the short go away. When it does, the bulb will get dim or go out.

Check for a chewed up trailer wiring harness.
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Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 AT 10:11 AM (Merged)

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