Electrical gremlins, or ghosts?
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Anchorage Alaska
Electrical gremlins, or ghosts?
A month ago I was driving my 1990 F250 (460, ZF42, XLT, Lariat) and the dash light went out, only the dash light. All other lights controlled with the pull-**** worked fine. When I parked it, I pushed the headlight **** all the way in. (If I hadn't, I would have noticed the parking lights on, I parked it at night)
Without the need to haul anything, I drove my car and didn't even touch my truck for 3 weeks. On the way to work one morning last week, I started my car, looked at the truck, and the parking lights were on!
The battery had enough juice to to power the parking lights, but not enough to engage the starter, so I'm guessing the lights had been on for at least 3 hours.
Both doors and the back glass were locked.
I look at the truck at least 4 times every day.
The door locks, buttons, glass lock, and headlight **** all work fine.
Anyone have any clue how a headlight **** pulls itself out???
Without the need to haul anything, I drove my car and didn't even touch my truck for 3 weeks. On the way to work one morning last week, I started my car, looked at the truck, and the parking lights were on!
The battery had enough juice to to power the parking lights, but not enough to engage the starter, so I'm guessing the lights had been on for at least 3 hours.
Both doors and the back glass were locked.
I look at the truck at least 4 times every day.
The door locks, buttons, glass lock, and headlight **** all work fine.
Anyone have any clue how a headlight **** pulls itself out???
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 56
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From: Anchorage Alaska
I can't explain it...
The Ox sat for 3 weeks without being touched...
If I had not pushed the headlight **** in all the way when I got out, and if I hadn't noticed bright yellow lights glowing in the dark that night, the battery would surely have died in the 3 weeks between when it was parked and when I left for work last week.
I forgot to mention that when I opened the door to turn off the lights, the dash light was working again...
I've seen my share of electrical gremlins in vehicles (never in this truck, that I've had for 6 years), but never see them operate a manualy controled switch.
The Ox sat for 3 weeks without being touched...
If I had not pushed the headlight **** in all the way when I got out, and if I hadn't noticed bright yellow lights glowing in the dark that night, the battery would surely have died in the 3 weeks between when it was parked and when I left for work last week.
I forgot to mention that when I opened the door to turn off the lights, the dash light was working again...
I've seen my share of electrical gremlins in vehicles (never in this truck, that I've had for 6 years), but never see them operate a manualy controled switch.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
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From: North Reading Mass
Because of he high amp draw of the headlights its not uncommon for the switch to fail from heat. Its possible that the switch overheated when the lights were on causin the housing to wrap. When the switch cooled down enough its possible the shaft moved and engaged the contacts for the lights. Does the switch feel crunchy? I have replaced two of them and now use the switch to power a relay that controls the headlights.
Good mystery for Halloween !
rikard
Good mystery for Halloween !
rikard
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Anchorage Alaska
Just checked it again.
It's not exactly crunchy... but if I pull it out really slowly, it clicks out in three intervals instead of the normal two. I hadn't thought of it overheating and warping, but it makes sense.
Here's the added mystery - The lights came on 3 whole weeks after I drove it last, not just an hour or two after I parked it. Maybe it cooled down, then an earthquake (I do live in Alaska) gave it the extra nudge...?
I plan on wiring in relays for the lights eventually, where did you order the replacement switch?
It's not exactly crunchy... but if I pull it out really slowly, it clicks out in three intervals instead of the normal two. I hadn't thought of it overheating and warping, but it makes sense.
Here's the added mystery - The lights came on 3 whole weeks after I drove it last, not just an hour or two after I parked it. Maybe it cooled down, then an earthquake (I do live in Alaska) gave it the extra nudge...?
I plan on wiring in relays for the lights eventually, where did you order the replacement switch?
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