[MOpartsGuy]

2002 ram 2500, cummins/auto.

Very frustrating to say the least. Started last night on my way home from work, noticed that my brake lights are staying on. My thoughts were a faulty brake light switch, so it was replaced this morning. Turns out that this did not fix the issue. So I started the truck and let it warm up for a few minutes before driving to town, Then realizing that my right turn signal isn't working, or my emergency flashers. Now i'm really getting frustrated! I ended up purchasing a multifunction switch thinking that might be my cause to all these strange issues, however I really don't want to mess with removing the airbag and clockspring.....

By the time I make it back to the house, Everything is working as normal, including the brake lights. Now it's getting ridiculous. I decide to keep driving it, see what happens. Make it all the way back to town, everything is working great. After parking at the mall for a few minutes, come back to the truck and start it, now the brake lights won't shut off again.

I cannot for the life of me figure out what the issue is. I don't want to keep throwing parts at it, yet I can't seem to find any others who have had this exact same issue. I recently replaced the ball joints, and destroyed a front ABS sensor in the process. This was two weeks ago. I have yet to order a new one, yet the truck has been driving and operating in normal working order. Granted, I have the ABS and BRAKE lights active on my dashboard, but everything else (including the cruise control) has been working fine until last night. I unpluged the broken ABS sensor after i broke it, so the passenger front abs wire is an open circuit.

Part of me wants to say the Multi function switch is bunk, but i can't see that keeping the brake lights on. Any ideas or helpful thoughts would be great at this point, i'm about at the breaking point figuring this out, lol.

 

[cumminsdog]

you dont have to remove the air bag or clock spring to replace the multi switch. three T-20 (or 25) torx scres in the bottom of the collumn cover and the cover comes off. there are tabs on the insdie of it to so be careful or you can break it (if you do break it beyond use, LMC has new ones)

The tilt column lever just screws if your truck is equiped. then there are 3 or 4 more T-15 (i think) screws holding the multi switch in. 10mm bolt on the wire harness holding it in and a tab to disconnect it.

its worth a try since you already have one.

 

[13jeeps]

More than likely it is the multifunction switch.

 

[cumminsdog]

More than likely it is the multifunction switch.

I agree, but since he already has one, cant hurt to toss it in.

 

[MOpartsGuy]

Thanks for the reply guys, makes me feel much more comfortable knowing I don't have to mess with the steering wheel. That being said, Seems like when it works properly, pressing the emergency flashers will cause it to keep the tail lights lit. Whats even more strange is that now I can't get the switch to error anymore, like it magically fixed itself. Go figure, right, lol. I'm going to let her sit for a while and see what happens. More than likely I will still end up replacing the multifunction switch, I just want to ensure that he is the culprit.

Note: if your in this scenario, the torx screws will need a torx driver to reach inside holes that are about an 1 1/2 inch deep. A 3/8's drive torx will not reach.

 

[cumminsdog]

should have mentioned that i guess lol.

 

[tjk82]

About your tail lights did you try messing with the contact switch down on the brake peddle? The thin metal bracket can bend or if the screws ar'nt tight it can move, and not contact properly at times.

 

[cumminsdog]

nevermind.....

 

[cumminsdog]

My thoughts were a faulty brake light switch, so it was replaced this morning.

post#1 he replaced it. but should still make sure its contacting correctly

 

[tjk82]

Sorry dont read well LOL

 

[Kraft01'3500]

90's chevs are notorious for this. the 4 way flasher switch is typically the culprit. it's connected to almost every light on the outside of the truck and they tend to get hot over time and start having weird contact issues.

 

[Kraft01'3500]

after you pull em you look at em and thank your lucky stars cause they look like they caught on fire at some point lol. kinda odd

 

[MOpartsGuy]

So I let the truck sit all night, lights never came back on..... that was until I went to bed. Taking a look out the window this morning, and there is no frost near the lights, so they've been on for a while. Looks like I'm replacing the multifunction switch after all.

I made sure the brake light switch was in working order before moving to the next issue. I've had brake light switches go bad on multiple other vehicles, however never had any issues like the one I'm in. Usually the lights *don't* work, never had the issue of making them *stop* working, lol.

Thanks for the help gents!

 

[MOpartsGuy]

Success!!!

Turned out it wasn't the multifunction switch, found that after I installed the new one. So.... I started yanking out fuses one by one. I made it under the hood to the Trailer Service fuse.... and .... eureka! Lights shut off!

I'm leaving the fuse out for the time being, as I have a long trip back home for the holidays, But plan to pull apart the trailer harness next weekend to see where the culprit lies. Wiring nightmares are the worst!!