headlights do not turn off- no really
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Joined: Feb 2004
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headlights do not turn off- no really
Hello FTE!
98 explorer - 100,000 miles Once in awhile, headlights do not turn off. When it first happened a few years ago, i tried adjusting the switch, flicking the dimmer, starting engine - nothing. i eventually let headlights drain the battery. Next day, charged battery - no problem, lights went back on and turned off as normal. Ford dealer could not identify problem. It has now happened a total of about a dozen times over past few years.
It has happened with old battery, new battery, charger connected to battery, fuses out, fuses in - all with no change in condition: headlights stay on. When fuses are taken out lights go off (obviously) but as soon as fuses go back in lights turn back on (yes, light switch is turned to off) and do not turn off. My suspicion is some intermittent bug in the autolight - which i NEVER use.
So far other than letting battery drain and then recharging i have no other cure. any ideas?
98 explorer - 100,000 miles Once in awhile, headlights do not turn off. When it first happened a few years ago, i tried adjusting the switch, flicking the dimmer, starting engine - nothing. i eventually let headlights drain the battery. Next day, charged battery - no problem, lights went back on and turned off as normal. Ford dealer could not identify problem. It has now happened a total of about a dozen times over past few years.
It has happened with old battery, new battery, charger connected to battery, fuses out, fuses in - all with no change in condition: headlights stay on. When fuses are taken out lights go off (obviously) but as soon as fuses go back in lights turn back on (yes, light switch is turned to off) and do not turn off. My suspicion is some intermittent bug in the autolight - which i NEVER use.
So far other than letting battery drain and then recharging i have no other cure. any ideas?
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Fort Smith
Welcome to FTE 98! 
Mine started this problem a few months ago. After 2 days of tracing wires for breaks, headlight switches, foglights, relays, etc - I found the problem in the mirror. The switch for the auto lights is there, and something is wrong with that switch or wiring in or to it. I have yet to find the problem with it (haven't had time), but I might check that.
While the problem was happening, I had to take the fuse out of the distribution block under the hood that gave power to the inner fuse panel. This would reset all the switches, and it would quit for a while. This told me it has either something to do with one of the relays.
I won't say this is your problem, but it is a possibility you might try...
Mine started this problem a few months ago. After 2 days of tracing wires for breaks, headlight switches, foglights, relays, etc - I found the problem in the mirror. The switch for the auto lights is there, and something is wrong with that switch or wiring in or to it. I have yet to find the problem with it (haven't had time), but I might check that.
While the problem was happening, I had to take the fuse out of the distribution block under the hood that gave power to the inner fuse panel. This would reset all the switches, and it would quit for a while. This told me it has either something to do with one of the relays.
I won't say this is your problem, but it is a possibility you might try...
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Joined: Feb 2004
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thanks. I will try yanking and replacing the fuse in the distribution panel to the interior fuse box. Vehicle is charging right now, and in keeping with past history, lights turn on and off as normal.
Must be intermittent autolight ghost in the mirror.
Must be intermittent autolight ghost in the mirror.
