96 f150 headlight switch problems

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Mar 22, 2019 | 04:38 PM

TMC2394

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Joined: Mar 2019

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96 f150 headlight switch problems

Hey all, new member here. I need some help as I am puzzled. I have 96 f150 2wd truck, a couple weeks ago I was driving and had #4 (dash & tail lights) and #11 (radio) fuse blow at the same time, replaced and they blow immediately. So read some forum post, gathered it could be my headlight switch and the harness connector. also note while the #4 fuse was blown I could fiddle with it in a out to get my dash and tail lamps to work in a certain spot. So I replaced the headlight switch and cut/crimped a new female harness connector in, installed 2 new fuses and boom got all my lights and my radio back! Well yesterday I got to work and left my lights on, went out after 30 mins to shut them off and when I pushed the **** in I heard the fuses blow #4 and #11. Went and picked up some fused to replace and boom #11 blows as soon as I turn the key to start the truck and #4 blows as soon as I pull the headlight switch out. So im at a loss, I cant figure this one out. I took out the radio fuse, and put a new fuse in #4 and with the dash lights turned all the way down, it doesn't blow the fuse but as soon as I twist the **** for dash lights it blows. On my fuse panel cover it says #11 is only radio/main light switch. I don't think it has anything to do with the radio but the PO put in an older JVC head unit

Mar 23, 2019 | 07:07 AM

ZombieF150

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Joined: Sep 2018

Posts: 735

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From: NC

check for chafed or shorted wires in both the headlight and radio circuit/wiring. I installed the headlight harness that takes the load off the switch. IIRC the headlight switch takes all the amperage through it (at least on my 93 it does) and over time it will wear them out. The harness will allow for brighter headlights if there is a grounding issue in the factory harness, has larger conductors which allows for more current to reach the head lights over stock wiring and takes the load off the headlight switch allowing it to last longer. This worked on my 93 and should work on your 96 if the setup is the same.

https://www.amazon.com/Putco-239007HW-Premium-Headlight-Harness/dp/B001MA3H3E/ref=au_as_r?_encoding=UTF8&Make=Ford%7C54&Model=F-150%7C666&Year=1993%7C1993&ie=UTF8&n=15684181&s=automotive&vehicleId=1&vehicleType=automotive

Mar 31, 2021 | 07:24 PM

AlexMosalmani

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Joined: Mar 2021

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From: Dallas,Tx

I need the harness for a 1993 F150. Mine is pretty much gone. The plastic started breaking from age. Any recommendations on where I can get a new one?

Harness that plugs into the headlight switch

Apr 1, 2021 | 08:51 AM

rexf

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Joined: Oct 2020

Posts: 63

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From: Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC2394

i had a very similar thing happen to my 91 f150, radio and headlight switch fuse went out same time and contenued to blow everytime i put a new one in, it was caused by a bad radio power connection that pput power where it wasnt supposed to, if a fuse blows its usually a good thing because more than likely nothing gets damaged, i ended up replacing the hehadlight switch because it caused my dash lights to no longer dim, so i had to drive with the ccab light on to see my guages at night (not fun). after this, i put the next size fuse in the spot, hasnt blown in 3 months.