Merry Christmas, everyone! I need some help with my '98 E150 conversion van. On Tuesday night while driving to the in-laws in Ohio (I live in GA), the low beam headlights went out, both at the same time. The high beams would work, but those also soon failed. The only way to have headlights was to hold the multifunction switch in the 'flash high beams' position. The highs then came on again in the locked position for the rest of the trip, but the lows never returned. Now, on Friday, niether the lows or highs will work, so I'm back to holding the switch in the flash position to drive at night.
After looking at the FTE forum, I see some people have had problems that were traced to the Lamp Out Module (LOM), so I called a local dealer, but he doesn't have that part listed for an E150. So, here's my questions:
1. Do the E series vans have a LOM? (My guess is yes)
2. Do you think it is in fact the LOM that is my problem?
2. If so, where is it located under the dash? The other related threads (for the Explorer, mostly) place it towards the passenger side, but is that true for the E series?

I guess once I pull the part, I can read the PN from it and get it from a dealer.

Thanks for your help! I'm driving back to GA on Sunday, so I hope to get this fixed today/tomorrow.

 

LOM is only on the Explorer/Mountaineer as they are equipped with the in console Message Center option.

Your problem is possibly a burned up multifunction switch and/or pigtail at the rear of the MFS. Could also be headlamp switch related or its pigtail connector burned as well. I would start with the multifunction switch first since you were able to get some results by manipulating it. If you are running those damned Blue high intensity bulbs you may have fried the sockets and possibly the switch as well.

 

Thanks, Homer. I'll get a replacement MFS from the dealer today and replace it. I looked on FTE and couldn't find replacement instructions for the E series vans. Any suggestions?

BTW: no, I'm not running those damned blue high-intensity bulbs. Just standard factory...

 

MFS is too easy. Just remove the tilt lever by unscrewing the post from the actuator lever, remove the screws from the column cover and there are two screws holding the MFS in place. They usually have #20 torx heads on them. Unplug the connectors and its out in your hands.

Inspect the connector carefully for a melted condition at the pins. Sometimes they are melted sufficiently to need replacement of the pigtail connector itself.

 

Sounds good. I'll check with brothers-in-law to see if they have a torx set. Mine is at home.

Thanks again, Homer! It's great having a forum like this, and helpful people monitoring it! I'll let you know how it goes.

 

After seeing the over-heated contacts on the hi/low/flash switch, I had no doubt this would happen again. In the 96 Ranger, the multifunction switch is a chore to replace.
Since the low beams are used most of the time, I installed a relay circuit to operate the low beams, taking most of the burden off the contacts (200mA vs 10A).