Six problems related to headlights have been reported for the 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The contact owns a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500. While operating the vehicle, both the high beam and low beam headlights would not illuminate. Also, the rear driver's side window would not operate due to damaged electrical wires located in the driver side door panel. The contact indicated that the wires became damaged by opening and closing the doors. In addition, while at a stop light, the vehicle momentarily experienced unintended acceleration. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer (jerry wood Dodge in salisbury, nc) and the manufacturer were notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 195,000.
On this model, as well as others within a close date range, the forward control module(fcm) shuts off the headlights if it recognizes any disruption in current or ground. This has happened to me about 4 times in the last year and causes a safety concern as the only thing I can do is turn on my brights, which in turn blinds other drivers. The module is located outboard of the fuse box, located above driver side wheel well in the engine compartment. Price is usually around $400 for part, then I have to take it to somebody to have it keyed to my computer for another $100-200. There is no variable as to when it happens, sometimes while in motion, sometimes while stationary.
Driving westbound on m46 during dusk, headlights were on, suddenly I was being signaled my high beams were on. I stopped at a nearby gas station to check out what was going on and all of my lights had failed. Closer inspection revealed the totally integrated power module had failed without warning.
Either the power control module (fusebox) failed or the forward control module did (the part under the fusebox. Several lighting groups will go out even when driving down the road, including headlights. I have no doubt this is a safety hazzard to have your headlights become unfunctional at night while driving. How I know it is a big issue that Dodge has not felt necessary to issue a safety recall is because when I went to order the part I was told it is on at least a 6 week back order. There are so many owners having the same problem they can't make them fast enough to keep up. So that means 2004 Dodge ram pickup owners have to let their vehicles sit in the garage for 6 weeks as it is not safe to drive them until they receive the part. I have had similar problems with Dodge and until they are forced by you to issue a safety recall they won't. Also, it is Dodge's past action in that they will put the same part on a vehicle that they originally put on the vehicle and it will do the same thing, fail. You should force them to identify the problem, identify the weakness, improve the part and replace it at their cost. . . . Not just replace the bad part with another bad part. The part (s) cost between $400 and $500 +labor.
2004 Dodge Ram 2500. Head lights are very weak. No differance in high and low beam. Lights do project far enough out to see roadway.
I own a 2004 2500 Dodge ram pick-up. When the high beam headlights are turned on, the low beam lights and the driving lights are disabled. The result is a lack of light being cast upon the roadway. The high beams alone only cast a hazy beam that when used off highway is dangerous because you cannot see the ground in front of you. On the highway they do no more than blind oncoming cars and leave the road in a shadow. There are many postings on this subject on the web forum, "dodgeramforum. Com" if you use the link below it will take you directly where most of the complaints are. I believe it only a matter of time before there is a serious accident because of this problem and that the Dodge company needs to have a fix for this problem as there is now a company called "bright lights" making a fix for this. . Read more...