Headlights randomly went out then back on

[Rangerdangernoob]

I was driving last night and my lights turned off, it’s never happened before and I had just changed the bulbs about a month ago. I thought something might’ve drawing power so I turned off my radio then shortly after the lights came back on, not sure if it helped or it was coincidence. Should I get a whole new battery? Thanks for advice

 

[Shadowrider6661]

Welcome to TRS. It sounds more like a bad electrical connection, I'd check the headlight switch first. If you have no problem starting your truck, then the battery isn't the problem. I hope this helps a little.

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^^

I doubt its a battery issue, the battery is not used when engine is running, ALL "power" comes from alternator at that time, system voltage with engine running is minimum 13.5volts
Battery is ONLY used to start the engine, battery maximum volts is 12.8v so when engine is running the 13.5v flows TO the battery to keep it charged up for the next time you need it to start the engine
Just FYI


There should be a Ground wire from battery negative to Rad support, that's the headlight and horn ground
If it happens again check if horn works
The Ground side, battery negative, is shared, so engine on or off doesn't matter, a bad ground would cause an issue in either engine on or off

In 1996 the main headlight switch sends headlight 12volt power to the Multi-function switch(turn signal stalk), it passes thru this switch and out to the headlights, this is for high/low beam selection
So there are two switches for Low Beam head lights

High beams have 12volts all the time at the multi-function switch, for the "Flash To Pass"
So if it happens again pull turn signal stalk to see if high beams work

You can test Flash to pass anytime, if they work then Ground is OK, high and low beams share a common ground

Both the main headlight switch and multi-function switch can wear out
Multi-function switch gets way more use of course, but either can fail

 

[Rangerdangernoob]

Welcome to TRS. It sounds more like a bad electrical connection, I'd check the headlight switch first. If you have no problem starting your truck, then the battery isn't the problem. I hope this helps a little.

It does thank you!

 

[Rangerdangernoob]

+1 ^^^^

I doubt its a battery issue, the battery is not used when engine is running, ALL "power" comes from alternator at that time, system voltage with engine running is minimum 13.5volts
Battery is ONLY used to start the engine, battery maximum volts is 12.8v so when engine is running the 13.5v flows TO the battery to keep it charged up for the next time you need it to start the engine
Just FYI


There should be a Ground wire from battery negative to Rad support, that's the headlight and horn ground
If it happens again check if horn works
The Ground side, battery negative, is shared, so engine on or off doesn't matter, a bad ground would cause an issue in either engine on or off

In 1996 the main headlight switch sends headlight 12volt power to the Multi-function switch(turn signal stalk), it passes thru this switch and out to the headlights, this is for high/low beam selection
So there are two switches for Low Beam head lights

High beams have 12volts all the time at the multi-function switch, for the "Flash To Pass"
So if it happens again pull turn signal stalk to see if high beams work

You can test Flash to pass anytime, if they work then Ground is OK, high and low beams share a common ground

Both the main headlight switch and multi-function switch can wear out
Multi-function switch gets way more use of course, but either can fail

I will do that if it happens again. I appreciate the help, still learning so that info helps. Thanks again and I’ll update if it happens