Advice needed to replace headlight switch on 89 BII

[truvoice1]

Hi Everyone I have a 89 Bronco II. The headlight switch has always been kind of funky since I have owned the vehicle (4 years) in that when pulled out all the way only the headlights would come on and not the tail, parking or instrument lights. By very carefully manipulating the switch I could find a spot where all seemed to work. Well, recently, I have been smelling the sweet smell of burning insulation when the headlights are on and consequently I have been keeping my drives after dark to a minimum! Neither my Haynes or Chilton manuals have any useful information on replacing this switch; so I am curious as to what is involved in getting the old one out and a new one in. Do I have to take apart the dash board or can I get at it from underneath? Any help and/or advice would be greatly appreciated! Tom

[fl1a]

You might also check the multifunction (dimmer) switch in your steering column. The wiring to them burn and melt over time.

[rebocardo]

You do not have to take the dash apart, though it is a bit more tricky then the <=1988. If you drop down the fuse box (gently pull it straight down beyond the parking brake) it will be easy enough to disconnect the back on the switch.

I have a 1990 I am scrapping, I will try to take a picture of the open dash to help you out.

FWIW: You might have a loose wire in the connector.

[kernel-panic]

RBVs have issues with the headlight switch as they get older. I had to replace part of my wiring after replacing the switch thinking that would fix the problem. The wire for the running lights was not making a good solid connection and was overheating. Instead of putting a new pigtail on, I just did a quick repair to that wire with a quick-connect terminal lug, a butt connector, and about 2 inches of wire. I'd recommend either this fix or replacing the switch and pigtail - both are sold at most auto parts stores and it would be money well spent. FWIW, it's easier with the dash cluster removed if you can get your hand in there, but either method works - never thought of the other way until it was mentioned