Problems with 2002 Dodge Dakota EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Central time module causing my lights to cut off while driving could cause accident

No headlights, parking lights, dashboard/instrument lights, fob does not work and service 4x4 light is on, recall on ctm i was told. *tr

The "security light" on dash was flashing and when it is on the headlights go off and dash lights goes dark and turn signals/brake lights comes on. when security light is off the headlights goes on the dash lights are on and turn/brakes lights goes off. this security light ( on dash) will flash on and off every second or will go on solid - if on solid headlights, dash lights will be off - dome light on and turn/brake lights on. this will happen until vehicle is warmed up to 20 degrees ambient temp. the problem is with the "tcm module" on this vehicle. it does not effect the engine or drive train only the lights ! you can be driving when this happens ! people will thing you are an emergency vehicle or crazy ! this vehicle does not have a "chip" in the keys only a remote keyless entry that is separate from the ignition key...updated 02-28-14 *bf. the consumer stated the security came on and the headlights went off. the vehicle did not die, or misfire. updated 04/01/14

This vehicle, 2002 dodge dakota, was driven during the day for some months. in october, 2013 i stayed out late and as i turn the head lights on, a few seconds after all the lights started to blink non stop, even all the dashboard lights. fortunately i was not far from home, i had to turn all the lights off to get home. an additional alarm system, evs 11 mopar electronic vehicle security systems, was installed when the vehicle was purchased. at first i thought it was the alarm system malfunctioned, i had the alarm system removed but the problem was not solved. i eventually took the vehicle to the dodge dealer and was told that the bcm needed to be replaced, after a diagnostic test was done. to replace this part is very expensive. *tr

Traveling through town at 20:30pm at approximately 35 mph when all of a sudden the headlights shut off completely. i was able to pull over to the side of the road, but then the headlights began flashing for 1 to 3 seconds but then would shut off for a few seconds and do it again. then the interior dome light starts flashing and flickering. the turn signals, and brake lights work. *tr

While driving on interstate 24, near clarksville, tn, at 2015 hours, my headlights completely shut off while driving. after a span of 15-20 seconds with no lights, i had to unsafely pull over on the shoulder of the road. after which my headlights began to flicker on and off, for spans of 1-3 seconds. from the time of the first incident to now, my headlights, internal lights, windshield wipers, and tail lights are all inoperable and unsafe to drive during bad weather conditions, or limited viability due to light. from my research this is an extremely frequent problem with dodge dakota and dodge durango owners, with vehicles made between the years of 01' - 03'. i contacted dodge about the problem and requested assistance, and they were unwilling to help or fix the problem, even though i told them it was unsafe, and that my situation was not an isolated incident. i honestly believe, if this were to happen to a less experienced driver, or to a driver in a situation of bad weather or late at night. it could result in serious injuries or tragic loss of life. *tr

Lights blink on and off control module bad and was recalled for 03 model dakotas but not 02 models. dodge dealer says 02 and 03 are the same. when the when the central timing module fails you have no lights of any kind. *tr

On my 2002 dodge dakota the headlights stopped working at night by flickering a lot then just shutting off all the way. the following days random things would start going off like windshield wipers going off, horn honking, and sometimes the lights would not shut off at all. further investigation lead me to the central timer module (ctm) failing possibly due to the same defect that lead to a 2003 recall. why not 2002? i now cannot drive at night because i had to disconnect it resulting to certain things not being able to work right due to the erratic behavior. i would like to see other model years being included in the recall cause this part is well over $200 to replace. it is suffering from the exact same problems that the recall for 2003 states. *tr

Headlights were flickering on and off rapidly, along with interior lights and taillights. today they do not work. if lights were to have gone out while i was driving at night could have caused serious incident. no solution to problem yet. *tr

I experienced the same failure as many other 2002 dodge dakota owners in which the lights stop working or begin to flash without warning. in this instance, the parking lamps, instrument panel, and courtesy lamps flicker on and off. the headlights only seem to participate in the flashing part of the time. it appears likely the problem will be the central timer module, however due to cost i have not yet replaced it. i have determined the problem is neither the switch, relay, or lights. the symptoms are identical to those posting the central timer module defect. *nm

No known event or indication of failure occurred prior to incident. headlights, dash lights, interior lights, fog lights, door locks, keyless entry, intermittent wipers all ceased to function. this occurred at dawn on a rainy day. had this occurred during the evening hours an accident may likely have occurred. repair pending. *nm

Dt*: the contact stated while the left turn signal was activated, the hazard lights illuminated. the vehicle has not been inspected by the dealership.

The lights on my 2002 dodge dakota started flashing and a few days later my lights, dash lights and power door locks stopped working. i have had 3 different auto mechanics look at it and no one can figure out what the problem is. my truck has 40,900 miles on it and no wrecks of any kind. my truck is an automatic. *jb

I recently had my exterior lighting go out on my 2002 dodge dakota and the dodge dealership repaired the problem stating that it was the ctm ( central timing module). i am aware that there is a recall on the 03 dakota for this same problem and i would like to know if there was an investigation for the 02 dakota. *jb

Dt: while applying the brakes at no particular speed there was abnormal operation of the windshield wipers, horn, and lighting system. all of them came on and off all by themselves. the consumer has not taken vehicle to a dealer but planned to do so. the consumer was referred to an independent mechanic, and he could not determine the cause of the problem. no corrections or repairs have been made. no explanation as to why this occurred. this only happened when brake pressure was applied. nhtsa recall 03v389000 was issued but it was for the manual transmission vehicles only-the consumer has an automatic transmission.*ak

Dt: 2002 dodge dakota. the headlights went out. the consumer found a recall for the headlights. dodge told consumer that this vehicle is not part of the recall. there were no dim lights on the vehicle. he replaced the headlight switch and the dimmer switch; there wereno fuses for the headlights. the recall was for a central timer module. the vehicle has not been taken to the dealership to be looked at. this occurred on july 29, 2005.*ak

The module controlling my 2002 dodge dakota's headlight's, windshield wipers, interiot lights failed. symptoms are shockingly close to those of the recall (i do have a manual transmission). headlights failed, brights failed, wipers failed. only turn signals horn and caution lights remain. dealer refuses to admit it is related to recall. symptoms are the same! what do i do about this!?*ak

Consumer was concerned that the vehicle started up, and the headlights came on by themselves while parked in the garage, which was attached to the house. dealer was not notified. *ak

Dt: the contact noticed the blinkers and tail lights where operating poorly. he researched the internet and found that other vehicles had the same problems. the problem was the module or the flasher module. if the short in the tail light was not fixed it will blow out the multi function switch .he has an appointment to have this fixed at a dealership.*ak

At 20,000 miles the lenses on the fog lights on my 2002 dodge dakota quad cab cracked for no apparent reason.*ak

In oct.2002 my truck shut off while driving down the road. in the past the truck had shut off in reverse or when i was at a dead stop and then press the gas, but this time i had to drive with my foot on the gas and the brake at the same time and then put it in neutral at a stop to keep the gas going. i had also had a problem with my blinkers. you turn the left one on and occasionally the right one will blink to-like "hazard lights". my dash board would also light up while driving or even when i come to a stop at a light. i put it off until the driving down the road. the dealership said it was a computer problem and the truck had been doing it since day 1, they couldn't find the problem to the blinkers. also the a/c condesation line had a crack in it and was leaking into my passenger side floor-that was a second trip. now my truck is haveing the same shut-off problem starting just like it did last time-so now i am looking into the "lemon law", it seems to apply so far.*ak