'01 Dakota lighting problems

[wordsmith]

The headlights on my 2001 Dakota (6-cylinder, automatic, A/C - nothing fancy) recently started to flicker. Now they flicker constantly, enough that I can't drive at night. Plus, the panel and interior lights flicker, too.

I discovered that if I remove the #11 fuse, the lights are OK, but the A/C doesn't cool. The fan blows, but no cooling. Fuse #11 is marked as the overhead console purge, and I don't have an overhead console. I also have fuses in positions #15 (heated mirror), #22 (heated seat), and #28 (power windows), none of which are on the truck. So I don't know what any of those fuses control.

Any suggestions?

[xpress60]

My 01 dakota just started doing the exact same thing. It is a 6 cyl., manual trans, 4x4, basic truck. I also have the service manual but I can't understand the electrical drawings. And I have been an electrician for 15 years. The manual lists 4 possible causes, poor z1 ground connection, bad headlamp switch, high resistance in headlamp circuit or loose or corroded terminal or splice. When my truck does this it does it in both hi-beam and lo-beam. The instrument cluster illumination, dome light, park lamps and headlamps all flicker like a strobe light. It will work fine for hours sometimes then flicker a few times and then work for a while. Other times it is continous flicker. Very intermittent. Anybody fixed this before ?

[xpress60]

Update: the ground connection G208 is on the drivers side under the dash mounted to the left and below the parking brade pedal. This checked ok. The headlamp switch showed varying resistance across several terminals that should have been closed according to the service manual. The resistance would vary from less than 1 ohm to 30 megohms by twisting the switch and pushing sideways on knob. Ordered a new one from Dealer for $59. Will be here tomorrow. All wiring and connectors look good so far. Took the old switch apart and copper contacts inside had lots of brown corrosion.

[xpress60]

Latest update. After a $60 headlight switch the problem is worse. Drove home last night with no headlights at all. The emergency flashers and turn signals work. But when the headlights were turned on and dim, no headlights or parking lights or dash lights. When switched to high beams the dash hi-beam indicator was fine but the headlights would flicker like a strobe light. Still no parking lamps. When the door was opened the interior dome light would also flicker and the low beams would begin to flicker on. Is there a simple line diagram available that shows how this thing is wired ? The service manual is useless.

[xpress60]

Last update: ordered a Central Timer Module from dealer for $149 + tax and headlight problem is now solved.

[trifit1]

I have te exact same problem, where is this central timer located?

[hundahunta]

usually drivers side kick panel..