[Barneveld]

I have a 96 diesel standard cab auto with wiring harness issues. It was used as a plow truck before l bought it and I've been having electrical problems with the head lights woking intermittently, I check the head light switch wiring and noticed several wires with melted insulation so I'm thinking of replacing the dash wiring harness does anyone know which model years years are interchangeable. There are several 2nd generation harnesses on eBay but none specific to a 96. Any info would be much appreciated.

 

[Walker111]

I believe you'll be ok with 96/97. How about just cutting out the burnt sections? Check your headlight switch.

 

[foresterfields40]

x2 on the headlight switch. Unplug it and check the female connector. Two of the terminals had melted together on mine and was causing a short. If that is the case with yours OR the headlight switch is shorted then either or both can be bought and replaced without having to take out your dash harness

 

[texasprd]

X3 - headlight switches and wiring are a known problem on these trucks. Also check the spade terminals on the switch - when I had headlight problems, some of the terminals on my switch were still attached on the switch but were loose. Fix and/or replace switch and harness as needed - when I replaced my switch years ago, my replacement switch included a connector/pigtail. I suggest you then look into relay harnesses to power your headlights off the battery and take the load out of the switch - the switch is then used only as a relay trigger. There are a number of threads on the relay mod - easily found using the search feature. Some of them even have wiring diagrams if you want to tackle making your own harnesses. There is also the "sport headlights" mod where you upgrade to the late 2nd-gen sport headlights (2 bulbs per side - relay harnesses definitely required) - also found using the search feature.