DodgeForum.com

Dodge Ram: Why are My Headlights Dim?

Getting your headlights to shine brighter can be as simple as cleaning the lens to as complex as rewiring your lights. This article will walk you through all the different ways to make a dim headlight shine.

By Jared Hammond - June 25, 2015

This article applies to the Dodge Ram (1994-present).

You may have noticed that the amount of road illuminated by your headlights gradually gets smaller over time. There are number of different causes. If your headlight lens is dirty, then all it needs is a simple cleaning. But other times it could be not having the right bulbs installed or some kind of electrical trouble. You won't know until you start looking. This guide will show you what to look for.

Step 1 – Clean the lens

If your headlight lens is dirty or yellow from the sun, then cleaning it should do the trick. The most effective method is wet sanding the lens. You'll want to put tape and plastic around your lens so you don't scratch or mess up the paint.

  • Take a moderately coarse grit sandpaper and spray water on the sandpaper and the lens.
  • Lightly sand the lens moving first in circular motions then horizontal motions. Do this a couple times.
  • Move to a finer sandpaper and wet sand the lens using the same motions.
  • Clean the lens using isopropyl alcohol and a paper towel, then let it dry.
  • Apply a few coats of clear plastic coating that is UV and scratch-resistant. This will prevent future hazing.
Figure 1. Clean up your faded headlight lenses.

Step 2 – Change the bulbs

Headlight bulbs will dim as they get used, and they'll need to be changed. There is also possibility that you have the wrong type of bulb installed. Sport model Rams use 9007-type bulbs while non-sport models use 9004-type bulbs.

  • To change the light bulb, you'll need to first open the hood.
  • Reach for the back of the headlight housing and twist the bulb socket counter-clockwise.
  • Pull out the old bulb and insert the new one to the socket. Then reinsert the bulb socket to the headlight housing.
Figure 2. Upgrading to a better quality bulb can make a difference.

Pro Tip

To convert to super bright HID lights you'll need to install ballasts to your truck in order to power them. This requires rewiring so power runs through the ballast first before reaching the headlight.

Step 3 – Check the ground wires, fuses and relays

If it's not the lens and it's not the bulb, then the problem must be electrical. It will help to have a multimeter so you can check whether your lights are getting the full 12 volts from your battery. If the connection at the lights is getting slightly less than 12 volts, then your problem is likely one of the ground wires. You'll need to check each of the grounding connections to the chassis. Sometimes a ground wire will become corroded and need to be replaced. Other times the connection just needs to be cleaned.

If your lights get a lot less than 12 volts, then one of your fuses has gone bad and needs to be replaced. If it's not the fuse, then it's something in the middle. Check the relay for the headlights or ballasts if you have HID headlights. It is possible for a bad relay to become a choking point for the circuit. Just be thorough and check everything you can to find the source of resistance in your headlight circuit.

Figure 3. Clean up rusted or corroded ground terminals.

Related Discussions