Gen 1 headlamp switch recall kit installation problem

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I'm running into a problem with my headlamp switch recall kit. The person who originally installed it crossed up some of the wires and didn't even install the jumper harness to prevent future meltings. After getting the wires straightened out, I installed the jumper harness. The problem is, with the harness installed, I have no parking lights. Remove the harness and run all the wires straight to the switch and everything works fine. Ofcourse, if I leave it like this, the switch will melt again.

I had a spare jumper harness and tried it as well. Same thing. I replaced the relay in it thinking maybe it was bad somehow. No luck. The only thing I can think of it may be the problem is the jumper harness comes with its own ground wire. According to the recall instructions, you ground it on the headlamp switch. However, to do this, you have to disconnect the ground from the factory harness that is already grounded in that spot. I have tried it each way and I still run into the same problem of no parking lights w/the harness installed. Do both ground wires have to be grounded? If so, where do I ground the 2nd wire? There is only space on the switch to ground one of them.

Here's the recall instructions:
Recall 819

I also have a much more aggravating problem I'll post about in a little bit.

Thanks for any help!

 

[JonB]

Isnt this the 2nd re-hash of this problem? Tator is the expert on this one......but he's on vacation.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Isnt this the 2nd re-hash of this problem?

Kinda sorta. My factory switch melted a few years ago and the tech installed the recall kit w/o the jumper harness b/c he didn't know what it was. That switch then melted about a year later and he installed the new switch (#3) also without the jumper harness. When I found out what the jumper harness was for is when I noticed that if its installed, the parking lights don't work

Tator is the expert on this one......but he's on vacation.

I talked to him about this about a week ago. He said the only problem he's seen is the wire wasn't shaved enough when Dodge installed the connectors on the ends. I checked, but all that looks good.

 

[Tom Sessions]

If you were installing this on a Ram 3500 you would be just fine. But then again your viper is so slow I think my 3500 Ram would be your car.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

If you were installing this on a Ram 3500 you would be just fine. But then again your viper is so slow I think my 3500 Ram would be your car.

Watch the attitude. Don't make me text Shannon again

 

[ACELLR8]

Wish, I could help you. I bought the new switch from chuck about 6 years ago installed it and have not had an issue of the dreaded melted headlight switch since.
It has been so long I can not remember. I will try and see how mine is wired out when I get home.

 

[Matt M PA]

How can one tell if this was done? I got my '96 about a year ago and don;t know if it's something I need to do.

 

[ACELLR8]

How can one tell if this was done? I got my '96 about a year ago and don;t know if it's something I need to do.

You could look under the drivers knee bolster and see if there is a relay wired in to the headlight switch.
Mine was originally replaced under warranty in 2002 and then burnt out again a year or so later.
The symtoms of the problem is the headlight switch stops working properly. If I wiggled it lights would come on, then would go back off.

The factory switch would literally melt from the current in the switch without the relay.

 

[Matt M PA]

Thanks Ed! I will check that out. I guess I didn't have my former '94 long enough to have that problem surface. (that was over 10 years ago)

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Just incase anyone runs into the same problem, I finally figured this mystery out. My suspicions about the "extra" ground wire were confirmed. After Ed was kind enough to take a look at his car and call and describe what he could see, I was able to put 2 and 2 together and figure out the problem. Even though the recall doesn't mention it, you have to run a jumper wire from the factory harness ground wire on the switch to the recall harness ground wire, so both are grounded at the same time. I did that and I finally have working parking lamps with the recall harness installed

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

You only need headlamp so i can see you behind me.... I will never see you tail lamps LOL!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mopar Boy]

Now that all is working again I will refrain from holding back on my non topic related comment:

If you were installing this on a Ram 3500 you would be just fine. But then again your viper is so slow I think my 3500 Ram would be your car.

Agreed!


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAaahahahahahahaha.

HA.