Greetings!

I've recently purchased a 1985 E-150 and I have a few questions to throw out there. The disclaimer is that I am completely new to all of this. I've been itching to get a van for quite some time and finally found one that I couldn't pass up. Im a quick learner and want to get my hands dirty - this is the first forum I found that looks to still be active.

Presently, i'm looking for help in swapping out the Multifunction Switch as well as the Headlight Switch.

I'm only half sure about the headlight switch. All I know is that the high beams are working, but not the low beams. Figured the switch had to be the problem.

Again, any insights/help/recommendations for these issues as well other online resources that I am not aware of would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

 

Welcome to FTE.

Make sure your bulbs aren't burned out.

IIRC, the headlight switch has a threaded ring on the back side and you can reach it and remove it fairly easily. From there it's unplug it and again, iirc, the switch is easily found at NAPA or other fine auto stores as it was used in billions of vehicles across many model lines.

How about the foot switch, is that all good? They take some abuse and might need some love.

I don't remember a multifunction switch. Mine had a switch or lever for each of the limited functions available. (Headlights, signals, wipers, and the heater cluster)

 

Thanks so much for the help. I have replaced both bulbs, as neither was working upon purchase. After you asked about the foot switch, I was a bit baffled - so I googled it. Low and behold, I went out to the van and located it. IT WORKED! That successfully toggled between the low and high beams. However, I still can't manually do it with the headlight switch. If i am assuming correctly, half extended should activate low beams and fully extended should activate high beams? Is this correct?

I was under the impression that the multifunction switch was part of the blinker assembly. I was having difficulty getting the driver side blinker to work. Took it to a shop for diagnosis and they tried to charge me $400 to swap out the multifunction switch. I decided that was ridiculous and out of nowhere the blinker "kinda" works now. Just takes a bit of extra finesse once its engaged so get a "connection" to activate it.

Again, thank you so much!

 

Halfway out on the light switch is the parking lights in front, side markers and tail lights. All the way out is all of the above plus headlights. Hi/lo is controlled by the foot switch.

If your signal switch is loose, try turning the lever clockwise to tighten it in the mechanism. The cover comes off the column with a few screws, just look at it from below with a light and you should see them.

 

Really can't thank you enough for all of your help! Al of this info is going to help me get some sleep tonight. Gonna see if I can tighten that switch in the morning.

Take care! Hope to be around this forum more, but not too much! Ha!

 

10w-40 on that. I came here to see about putting a T5 in my E150 and I just can't get away....

 

The headlight switch on the left side of the dash only has 4 functions.
1) Pulled out 1 notch turns the parking and side marker lights on.
2) Pulled out 2 notches turns the headlights, park, and side marker lights on.
3) The headlight switch **** rotates clockwise and counterclockwise.
Clockwise brightens the dash lights. Counterclockwise dims the dash lights.
4) Rotate the headlight **** all the way counterclockwise till you feel a click and it will turn the interior lights on.

The turn signal switch handle on the steering column serves 2 functions if you have a tilt steering wheel.
1) Pushed all the way up or down will activate the turn signal lights.
NOTE: IF the turn signal switch is not broken, it should lock into place when pushed up or down and will turn itself off when rotating the steering wheel back to the straight position after making your turn just like any other car.
You must push the switch hard enough up or down to get it to lock in place or it will spring back to the off position. Sometimes they break and will not lock into position so do not force it hard enough to break something.
I have a habit of not pushing mine into the lock position. There is a point just before it clicks into the locked position that the turn signal lights will come on. When you say "takes a bit of extra finesse", perhaps you are not pushing it hard enough to lock it into position or the switch is broken.

2) If you have a tilt steering wheel, pushing the turn signal handle downward towards the dash will unlock the tilt steering wheel allowing you to tilt the steering wheel up or down.
It will spring back and lock the steering wheel in place once you let go of the turn signal handle.

NOTE:
If you wind up buying a new turn signal switch, keep in mind that there are 2 different switched depending on wither you have tilt wheel or not.

 

I am a bit slow posting. When i started typing my reply there were only 2 posts!
I would love to have a T5 in mine... I was at the pull a part a couple of years ago ns they had a 80's van with a standard trans that woudl have had all the parts to convert mine. Well part of them!

 

Thanks. I missed the dash light adjustments and interior lights. And the tilt wheel.

 

annaleigh,
thank you! That info really helps me understand the functions I have at hand. I do not believe that my steering wheel has the tilt function.

The "finesse" needed is simply a little bump up once it locks into place. I get the impression that this switch just needed to have the "dust knocked off of it" as this morning, it appears to be working consistently.

Again, thank you to both of you! This has been a massive help and given me some much needed confidence that I can handle these issues without having to pay someone the labor costs.