Headligt switch?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 176
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Headligt switch?
I've got an 08' Ranger FX4.
Recently I had the drivers-side headlight go out. Today I replaced the light, and while I was there, I decided to check every bulb on the truck. Everything else works, but I noticed the 2 factory "foglights" will not come on. This is a fairly recent development, because I use those lights quite often. Even thought they don't cast a huge amount of light, here in the Vancouver area, winters are dark & rainy, so I think 4 points of light as opposed to 2 points is a benefit. To activate those lights, you pull on the headlight selector switch.
Does anyone know if those lights have their own dedicated circuit with fuse? Or does this sound like a switch problem?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Recently I had the drivers-side headlight go out. Today I replaced the light, and while I was there, I decided to check every bulb on the truck. Everything else works, but I noticed the 2 factory "foglights" will not come on. This is a fairly recent development, because I use those lights quite often. Even thought they don't cast a huge amount of light, here in the Vancouver area, winters are dark & rainy, so I think 4 points of light as opposed to 2 points is a benefit. To activate those lights, you pull on the headlight selector switch.
Does anyone know if those lights have their own dedicated circuit with fuse? Or does this sound like a switch problem?
Thanks for any suggestions!
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 176
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Thanks - I checked fuse 31, it was a 15A fuse and it was in good condition.
One thing I did notice; when it was working, if you had the high beam lights on, then pulled the headlight switch to make the fog lights come on, it would disable the high beams. Now when I have the foglight switch pulled out, I can still activate the high beams. Its why I'm leaning towards a switch problem, but if anyone else has any ideas I'd love to hear them.
One thing I did notice; when it was working, if you had the high beam lights on, then pulled the headlight switch to make the fog lights come on, it would disable the high beams. Now when I have the foglight switch pulled out, I can still activate the high beams. Its why I'm leaning towards a switch problem, but if anyone else has any ideas I'd love to hear them.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
If i had an 08 Ranger i would have the factory wiring diagrams and could tell you exactly how the fog light circuit works.
From the online diagrams Fuse 23 in the SJB feeds the fog lamp switch & other unknown things (I hate not having the factory diagrams)
Fog lamp switch feeds the dash indicator light & the "low current board" the low current board grounds the voltage from the fog lamp relay to close it and send voltage to the fog lamp bulbs.
If the dash indicator is not lighting up I think you're right about the switch being bad.
From the online diagrams Fuse 23 in the SJB feeds the fog lamp switch & other unknown things (I hate not having the factory diagrams)
Fog lamp switch feeds the dash indicator light & the "low current board" the low current board grounds the voltage from the fog lamp relay to close it and send voltage to the fog lamp bulbs.
If the dash indicator is not lighting up I think you're right about the switch being bad.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851
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From: SW Va
Here is a 08 fog lamp circuit pictorial http://www.revbase.com/BBBMotor/Wd/D...dPdf?id=156161 Seeing as how power relays are a common problem part, try thumping, or swapping out the fog lamp power relay for a known good one not needed to run the engine & see if they'll wake up.
Let us know what you find.
Let us know what you find.
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Well there you go, thanks for posting the diagram PawPaw
SRS as you can see & as you suspected voltage from the fog switch turns on the fogs and disables the high beams. If the dash fog lamp indicator is not coming on replace the switch.
SRS as you can see & as you suspected voltage from the fog switch turns on the fogs and disables the high beams. If the dash fog lamp indicator is not coming on replace the switch.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 176
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Thanks for the diagram.
Yep, I get no fog lamp indicator. Priced out a replacement switch at a local parts store, $75 bucks, I will check my local Ford dealership AND the Mazda dealership to see if they're any better - or how worse they can be!
According to my Haynes manual, in order to get at the headlight switch I have to remove the steering wheel, and the instrument bezel. I've got an 18 month old running around with little time to do this, so we'll see how it goes.
Thank you for all the tips!
Yep, I get no fog lamp indicator. Priced out a replacement switch at a local parts store, $75 bucks, I will check my local Ford dealership AND the Mazda dealership to see if they're any better - or how worse they can be!
According to my Haynes manual, in order to get at the headlight switch I have to remove the steering wheel, and the instrument bezel. I've got an 18 month old running around with little time to do this, so we'll see how it goes.
Thank you for all the tips!
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
87 XLT - I'm sure I was quoted for the headlight switch itself. He specifically asked me if it was for a truck with fog lights. I had the multi function switch done a few years ago, it was actually the first thing to fail on that truck!
There are a few youtube videos online detailing change-out of a headlight switch on a Ford Ranger, but they are older vintage Rangers, just pop the unit out with a small screwdriver, unhook the wire clips and swap in a new unit, 5 minutes from start to finish - how I wish! My Haynes manual details the process, starting with steering wheel removal (with all the associated air bag safety stuff), then half the dash, then the little headlight switch. The frustrating part is there is a little access door right at the end of the dash and I can reach in there and actually feel the back side of the switch.
So close, yet so far.....
There are a few youtube videos online detailing change-out of a headlight switch on a Ford Ranger, but they are older vintage Rangers, just pop the unit out with a small screwdriver, unhook the wire clips and swap in a new unit, 5 minutes from start to finish - how I wish! My Haynes manual details the process, starting with steering wheel removal (with all the associated air bag safety stuff), then half the dash, then the little headlight switch. The frustrating part is there is a little access door right at the end of the dash and I can reach in there and actually feel the back side of the switch.
So close, yet so far.....
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
OUCH, it looks like your 18 month old is going to need to give you some extra time off so you can get this one done.
What was Ford thinking with such an idiotic design??? Keep us posted & good luck with the swap.
What was Ford thinking with such an idiotic design??? Keep us posted & good luck with the swap.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
Kind of embarrassed to say this, but I was checking things over and realized that the fog lights won't come on unless the key is on! Switch works just fine - just don't try to do any troubleshooting with the engine off!
Learn something new every day. Thanks FTE folks.
Learn something new every day. Thanks FTE folks.