HELP!! Headlights Not Working
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,792
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From: Richland, WA
HELP!! Headlights Not Working
I'm posting this for my brother-in-law. Both of his headlights stopped working on his '96 F250 PSD. All of the exterior/cab lights are still working. So far he has replaced the pull switch, bulbs, and some multi-function switch under the hood. But still no headlights. Any suggestions?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
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From: Madison, WI
Both low and high beams? Has he tried the beam switch to see what happens? Does the high beam indicator on the dash come on? Has he checked for voltage at the headlight connectors, with the black probe of the meter on the battery negative?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Richland, WA
Correction: it was the multi-function switch on the column that he replaced.
Yes, both high and low beams are out, and tried high beam switch but nothing. He checked the voltage at the pull switch and both wires had power leaving the switch, but I think that's it.
Yes, both high and low beams are out, and tried high beam switch but nothing. He checked the voltage at the pull switch and both wires had power leaving the switch, but I think that's it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Have him check voltage at the light pigtails themselves, but using the battery negative on the meter black probe. Then do the same, but with the black probe in the ground terminal on the pigtail. The objective is to determine if the ground wires on the harness are not grounding.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Richland, WA
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Post Fiend
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From: Orrville, Ohio
Check the connections at the firewall connectors. I don't recall which one it is, but that's the only place where all of the wires for the headlights would make a connection. High beam and low beams are both out?
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Richland, WA
Yes, both hign and low beams are out. His wife remembered that the lights flashed off and on the last time she adjusted the tilt column; so we're thinking it's in there right now.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Richland, WA
"Fixed"
So my brother-in-law came over yesterday so we could work on his lights. After a couple of hours of testing connections with a test light, we confirmed that there was power leaving the multifunction switch for both high and low beams, but it was't reaching the bulbs. Finally we remembered that the PO used it as a plow truck. After tracing the 'new' wiring harness for the plow lights, I found a toggle switch hidden in the tray under the wts light. One flick and the headlights were working again. 
All that time and nothing was wrong to begin with!
We think his wife accidentally switched it but sticking something in that tray.
Thanks for the help anyways!
All that time and nothing was wrong to begin with!
We think his wife accidentally switched it but sticking something in that tray.
Thanks for the help anyways!
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