Overhead courtesy lights work, sort of

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JohnLoves2Ski

Junior Member
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Dec 18, 2021
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Location
Northern Hemisphere
Ram Year
2011
Engine
5.7
My overhead courtesy lights - when I turn the dimmer switch all the way up, they come on. But if I push on them to make them come on, they don't.
If they are on because the dimmer is all the way up, pushing on them will turn them off.

I have not started troubleshooting, I thought you all could shorten the path for me. :)

Thank you!

2011 Ram 1500 Laramie
 

Hardracer

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Ram Year
2010 1500 laramie 4x4 crew cab
Engine
Hemi 5.7
Im gonna chime in on this as I just fixed this last week.2010 laramie so just as old.hopefully you have this fixed by now as I just stumbled on this post up.
My symptoms were courtesy/map lights worked with dimmer knob and key fob entry but not when I pressed them and went off as you described when either was on by pressing them.also noticed both vanity mirrors weren't working... everything would work sporadically.would never have noticed this it werent for the time change and the dam radio was so bright in the morning as it was dark out to leave for work and I went to find the button on the radio to dim it down and bang!,pressed the overhead light and it didnt work,I'm like wth!
I did a search here first didnt find an answer then googled it and stumbled across another fella from a another certain forum(ahem).... (alot of others described the same problem I found).
People chimming in saying dimmer switch,check the plugs of the lights up top..I did all that..nothing worked. That fella said he found it....wire inside if the visor chaffed through and was shorting...reason being occasional as mine was doing...unplugged that everything worked...had to replace the visor,$88 in my case and all is fixed...I shredded that visor afterwards and sure as sh**...chaffed wire.
Hope this helps or points someone in the right,shorter direction... drove me nutz for 2 weeks.
 

Hardracer

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2010 1500 laramie 4x4 crew cab
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Hemi 5.7
Found some pics...
 

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Hardracer

Senior Member
Joined
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Ram Year
2010 1500 laramie 4x4 crew cab
Engine
Hemi 5.7
I'm sure the wire could easily be fixed with solder and heatshrink.The vinyl/plastic cover though looks like its that sonic melted type thing.The cover I wouldnt think could be put back the way it was,probably need a fabric type setup.I had to figure out how to get into it so I didn't care if I destroyed it.i think there was a couple tabs if I remember right that I didnt see until I pretty much twisted,bended,pryed it all apart that needed to be undone to pop it apart.im sure a car upholster guy who has experience with this would be a better candidate for the job than I was.
My wire was hidden under that white bracket and I didnt find the problem until I slid the visor out to free up some wire to be able to pull the slack out.
I would say you can get it apart and put back, just the cover would need attention to be put back proper.
 
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