Head light switch
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: IL
Head light switch
A couple of years ago, I lost the dash lights and running lights on my 2003 F350 4x4 SC 5.4L. After some help from you guys, it was traced down to the head light switch, it's the auto switch with the fog lamps and dimmer built in. I went to Ford and bought a new switch. The new switch plug housing didn't seem to be a real tight fit, but it being a ford part I went ahead and installed it.
The other morning I was driving the truck hit a bump and the dash lights went out, pulled over walked around the truck and all lights were working so I figured something in the dash shorted or broke, but last night I pulled the head light switch out again and noticed that wiggling the plugs on the back made the dash lights come on and if I folded a piece of paper and slid it down the side of the small plug it tightened the plug and they stayed on. So I guess my question is, do I buy another switch from Ford, do I leave the paper stuffed in it and hope for the best or should I maybe glue the plug in place so it doesn't move?
Thanks for any input.
The other morning I was driving the truck hit a bump and the dash lights went out, pulled over walked around the truck and all lights were working so I figured something in the dash shorted or broke, but last night I pulled the head light switch out again and noticed that wiggling the plugs on the back made the dash lights come on and if I folded a piece of paper and slid it down the side of the small plug it tightened the plug and they stayed on. So I guess my question is, do I buy another switch from Ford, do I leave the paper stuffed in it and hope for the best or should I maybe glue the plug in place so it doesn't move?
Thanks for any input.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,259
Likes: 438
From: IL
I have gone to two local Ford dealers, each having one in stock. Both new switches have the exact same fit as the one I replaced, the smaller plug on the back fits loosely. So to install a brand new switch isn't going to be the answer here. Checking out the plug itself, it doesn't look like it's misshaped or worn down either, but maybe I'll try to buy a replacement plug to see if it fits better. Thanks for the advice, I appreciate it.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 6,259
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From: IL
I kind of wanted to update this a little. The lights are working fine, the only problem is the instrument panel dimmer switch doesn't seem to work, I can spin the wheel up or down and the dash lights don't seem to respond. If I spin the wheel all the way up the interior lights come on like they are suppose to though. I have read other articles about the radio being tied to the dash lights, I don't know if this would be my case because it's a 2003 model, but there is a cheap aftermarket Sony or JVC, radio in it. Is it possible this is why the dimmer doesn't work? Whoever did it...possibly the PO, the wires were cut twisted and taped so this is pretty much a hack job....Any ideas where to start would be very helpful. Thanks.
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