Recently purchased a 2000 1500 Ram Van conversion w/ 36000 miles. Turn signals and brake lights dont work now. The third brake light works and so do the tail lights. Could this be a bad relay? I checked bulbs and fuses and all looks good. Can't find a wiring diagram. Any advice? Thanks in advance!! :gr_patrio
leigh
01-19-2005, 02:54 AM
I'd try the flasher unit
**khazar**
01-19-2005, 03:13 AM
Is the flasher unit near the fuse box?
leigh
01-19-2005, 03:23 AM
should be, but not sure
Dodgevanman
01-19-2005, 05:08 AM
This really sounds like a bad fuse or turn signal switch.
**khazar**
01-19-2005, 06:08 PM
I tried replacing the flasher unit and its a no go. It would be nice to have a wiring diagram but apparently they don't even make a repair manual yet ( other than the shop manuals ).
Dodgevanman
01-19-2005, 08:50 PM
Okay the third brake light works, so that means the brake light switch is okay. You say all the fuses are good and that a new flasher didn't cure the problem. I'd certainly look into replacing the turn signal switch...your brake light circuit runs through it and so does, obviously, your turn signals.
Consider purchasing the factory service manual, expensive yes, but a heck of a lot better than a Chiltons or Haynes manual.
**khazar**
01-19-2005, 09:45 PM
Hey, thanks for taking the time respond! That certainly makes sense if the brake lights route thru the turn signal switch. This is my first American van and I hope it works out for me. Shure is a comfy cruiser, drives and handles sweet! Gonna be driving back to Washington state from Alaska in this van, so I'm hoping to get all the bugs worked out before hand. Should be good to go. I'll post again when i get her fixed, thanks again!
vandude
01-20-2005, 07:05 AM
khazar, as Nate pointed out, a factory service manual is expensive ($100) but there is one available for your 2000 Ram van at this place:
Books4Cars.com
4850 37th Ave. South
Seattle, WA 98118
If it can save you just a single trip to a repair shop, it'll pay for itself.
**khazar**
01-20-2005, 11:23 PM
Turns out it was the turn signal switch. Apparently this switch a national backorder, so that tells me this must be a frequent issue w/ these vans. But by wiggling the hazard switch signals and brake lights work, so for the time being I have a folded piece of paper wedged against the hazard switch and all works fine. That will get me by until I can get a new switch. When I decide if this van is a keeper or not I will definitely make the investment in a factory manual, thanks for the link Vandude, and thank you Nate. James B.
