Low beam out, no high beams unless I pull lever back to flash them

[tbowers391]

Just as the title says. Had a low beam apparently go out, then noticed high beams don’t work UNLESS I pull over back to flash them and then they work fine.

The other night I got in and neither low beam would come on at all. Had to drive around with lever held back to keep brights on. Then one side started working again.

This sucker has always had so many electronic gremlins it’s not even funny. Currently also randomly getting the click no start when pushing the start button. Key fobs don’t work even after pairing new fobs, have to touch button with the fob. When this sucker was brand new in 2013 the whole dash would shut down randomly gauges and all like truck shut off while going down the freeway. Dealer “couldn’t replicate it” of course so that was fun. It doesn’t do it anymore for some reason though

Any thoughts where to start? I have a suspicion it’s probably not actually the bulb

2013 ram 1500 Laramie 5.7 HEMI baby

 

[DILLIGAF]

Test your TIPM

 

[T. Anders]

Test your TIPM

This. TIPM can cause a never ending list of issues.

 

[Oliver Closehauf]

And grounds. Don't forget your grounds.

 

[tbowers391]

Test your TIPM

Ya already went through that once. Got a new one was all good for about 3 months then it had same problem. At the time the ac fan motor power kept going in and out because the plugs on the backside wouldn’t allow the terminal to make a good connection with the fuse. At one point I had things shoved on top of the relay and close the lid and it would shove it down hard enough to give me a decent connection. This obviously became hot and would heat the plastic exacerbating the issue. Eventually I just cut the section of plastic surrounding out and just plugged the terminal directly into fuse by hand and it’s been good since.

 

[tbowers391]

And grounds. Don't forget your grounds.

Agreed. During a cam and lifted replacement I found the ground strap on back of engine to cab was snapped. Hoped that would solve a lot of problems when I fixed that. But of course it did not.

Are you guys saying the actual tips board might be fried? Or the connections on the backside?

Should I try just a tipm reset? (Disconnect battery cables and hold together for 40+min then plug all back in)

 

[Wild one]

Agreed. During a cam and lifted replacement I found the ground strap on back of engine to cab was snapped. Hoped that would solve a lot of problems when I fixed that. But of course it did not.

Are you guys saying the actual tips board might be fried? Or the connections on the backside?

Should I try just a tipm reset? (Disconnect battery cables and hold together for 40+min then plug all back in)

Did you check the plugs on the lights themselves.They're famous for corroding,and causing all sorts of lighting issues

 

[RamDiver]

Had a low beam apparently go out, then noticed high beams don’t work UNLESS I pull over back to flash them and then they work fine.

The other night I got in and neither low beam would come on at all. Had to drive around with lever held back to keep brights on. Then one side started working again.

If the High beams work perfectly while the multi-function switch is pulled forward, I have to wonder if A) the multi-function switch has failed, and B) the low beam failure that occurred at a different time is separate and unrelated.

When you say "Then one side started working again", would this be the low or high beams?

Either way, if the failure occasionally disappears while tweaking the multi-function switch, I suspect you have identified the source of your grief.

Search 'multi-function switch', using the search function in the upper-right corner and you will find testing and troubleshooting procedures completed by other members.

The erratic behaviour of the low beams might be unrelated, but if you can prove the multi-function has intermittent issues, and the high beam circuits are functional, repair or replace that unit and then pursue the low beam fault.

Solving multi-faceted failures is best solved by breaking down the complex problems into smaller, more manageable pieces, and choosing the easier fault to solve first. Solve the high beam fault first, because it appears to function with the multi-function (passing light switch) pulled back.

While troubleshooting and repairing the high beams, you might get lucky and stumble on a solution for the low beams. At a minimum, you will have learned how both sets of lights respond to the multi-function switch.

The low beam fault is likely caused by the TIPM, bad grounds or a wiring/connector fault.
If the high beams function correctly with the multi-function switch pulled back, I suspect the circuit is intact and not related to the TIPM.

.

 

[tbowers391]

If the High beams work perfectly while the multi-function switch is pulled forward, I have to wonder if A) the multi-function switch has failed, and B) the low beam failure that occurred at a different time is separate and unrelated.

When you say "Then one side started working again", would this be the low or high beams?

Either way, if the failure occasionally disappears while tweaking the multi-function switch, I suspect you have identified the source of your grief.

Search 'multi-function switch', using the search function in the upper-right corner and you will find testing and troubleshooting procedures completed by other members.

.

So when I said “one side started working again” - I was referring to low beams.

In short, driver side low beam went out and has stayed out. Passenger side went out one evening for a short period then worked again.

Since the driver side low beam went out, if I push lever forward to click on high beams, click happens but no high beams.

If I pull the lever back as if I were going to temp flash my brights (I assume this is multi function?) both brights come on. So I know the bulbs are obviously not out.

I’ll do some research on multi function switch thank you

 

[Hardracer]

I'm going with TIPM issue also....as Wildone said,check the actual light connections...my rf fried the connection due to the TIPM failing(apparently).....I went nutz tryin to find the cause of this issue.

 

[tbowers391]

UPDATE: solved

Okay guys I remember playing around on my truck the other night while daughter was in tumbling practice and found all sorts of cool settings on the uconnect that I didn’t know were there since I bought the truck new in 2013
Found the auto-dim headlight feature and turned it on. I never drive with brights on anyway so I never really noticed if it ever switched them on or off and just forgot I had changed the setting. Well, that must have something to do with turning brights on manually because after I went and turned this setting off, my brights worked normal using the multi function switch.

Low beams - I feel pretty dumb on this one. Finally did check the actual low beam bulb in the light, and it was actually just burnt out. Replaced bulb, low beam good to go now.
I just replaced bulbs about a year or so ago after originals lasted 10 years. There was some moisture in the housing so maybe that had something to do with it? Either way. Problem solved. If you have issues with brights and multi-function switch, check auto dim settings

 

[turkeybird56]

UPDATE: solved

Okay guys I remember playing around on my truck the other night while daughter was in tumbling practice and found all sorts of cool settings on the uconnect that I didn’t know were there since I bought the truck new in 2013
Found the auto-dim headlight feature and turned it on. I never drive with brights on anyway so I never really noticed if it ever switched them on or off and just forgot I had changed the setting. Well, that must have something to do with turning brights on manually because after I went and turned this setting off, my brights worked normal using the multi function switch.

Low beams - I feel pretty dumb on this one. Finally did check the actual low beam bulb in the light, and it was actually just burnt out. Replaced bulb, low beam good to go now.
I just replaced bulbs about a year or so ago after originals lasted 10 years. There was some moisture in the housing so maybe that had something to do with it? Either way. Problem solved. If you have issues with brights and multi-function switch, check auto dim settings

OK than. ALSO U know that when U replace bulbs U never handle a regular halogen bulb with bare hands/fingers, just saying.

 

[tbowers391]

OK than. ALSO U know that when U replace bulbs U never handle a regular halogen bulb with bare hands/fingers, just saying.

Thanks for the info, looked this up as to why and I guess you learn something new every day! Good thing I bought the two pack then because sounds like I might be replacing again soon if it gets hotspots

 

[RamDiver]

Thanks for the info, looked this up as to why and I guess you learn something new every day! Good thing I bought the two pack then because sounds like I might be replacing again soon if it gets hotspots

If you did touch a bulb, you can always clean it with rubbing alcohol or peroxide.

As for halogen only lasting a year, and a bit, that's by design.

When I first started using them, they would last for years. For the past 10 or more years, most of mine last about 14 months before they expire, just like clockwork.

It appears that a 12-month warranty often results in a 13 or 14-month lifespan.
Do you think that's a coincidence?

With the current Fahren LED bulbs for low beams, I bought them in November '23, just over 2 years.

And the Auxito LED high beams I bought in February '24, 2 years ago, in 2 months.
In both instances, these LED sets were less expensive than a single halogen bulb, and why I will never buy anything from sylvania again.

.