Troubleshooting Rampage SuperBrite LED Tailgate Light Bar RA960137 That Stays Lit

Published 08/19/2016

Products Featured in This Question

Rampage SuperBrite LED Tailgate Light Bar - Stop, Tail, Turn, Reverse - 4-Pole Flat - 49" Long

(72)

$82.43

Hook Probe Circuit Tester

(65)

$12.94

Question:

I have a2009 Dodge Ram pick up and I notice just tonight the my light bar was still energized when the truck is off. I pulled the fuse and it went off. The fuse seems to be good. I put the fuse back in it comes back on. Everything seems lit on the light bar also. I turn signal on and it didnt flash like normal but stayed lit. Your thoughts ?

asked by: FRanz

Expert Reply:

LED-type lights like the Rampage SuperBrite LED Tailgate Light Bar # RA960137 are so electrically efficient that sometimes they will illuminate even when the vehicle wiring harness does not have any lighting functions activated. 4-pole wiring harnesses can sometimes pass enough residual power (even with no function activated) to cause LEDs to operate. This is not a malfunction, just a side-effect of the LED's high efficiency.

However, since you mention that your light does not blink when you activate the turn signal this could mean there is a problem with your Ram's 4-pole wiring harness or with the light itself.

You can use a circuit tester like # PTW2993 to test the 4-pole harness (with the light bar disconnected). This will tell you whether the harness is operating properly or if it is the cause for the problem. I linked a video showing how to use the tester to confirm the correct lighting signals are reaching your truck's trailer connector.

If you find that the harness is not operating properly then it is possible that it has been damaged. Connecting a trailer with a short in its wiring could cause damage to the harness. The linked page displays all wiring harness products for your Ram; just use the menu tool at the top of the page to select your series and configuration to then see the harnesses for it.

If you test and find the harness works properly then the light unit may be damaged.

expert reply by: Adam R