Hi,

My 1996 ford explorer is having some major lighting issues. The headlamps won't come on! When i turn the swith, the yellow lights next to the head lamps come on, and the turn signals work. Also, the rear lamps come on. The bulbs are good cause the brights work, but the normal headlamps and fog lamps won't light? Any suggestions? please???

Thanks,

 

Well first off just because the high beams work, doesnt necessarily mean the low beams are good. They are on separate circuits. The low beam element can burn up and the high beam element be just fine. However I doubt that is your issue. You could have an assortment of problems from fuses, headlamp switch, multifunction switch, and if you have an Eddie Bauer with the message center in the center console it could be a bad Lamps Out Module. Could be bad bulbs though, or a combination of any of the above.

 

Check for a blown fuse in the power distribution fusebox located under the hood. I believe that the headlamps are fused with a 40 amp maxi-fuse. The maxi-fuses are the large ones in the center part of the power distrubution fusebox.

Lou Braun

 

I have the limited edition and ironically the computer doesn't pick up any problems. I'll check the fuses....thanks.

 

Gemini19th81 -- I have a 1998 F-150 and I'm having exactly the same problem you described. Mine started about 10 days ago. The first time it happened, my headlights and fog lamps didn't come on when I started the truck (I have the autolamp feature), but as I backed out of my garage, they came on. The next time I started the truck, I couldn't get them to come on at all. But just like yours, the parking lights, tail lights, brake lights, and turn signals work. And when I pull back for flash-to-pass, the high-beams work. I've checked all of my fuses and they're fine. Did you figure out what was wrong with your Explorer? Thanks.

 

From what people tell me its the multi funtion switch connected to the steering column. I hear the part is about a hundred bucks. I live in the city and rarely ever drive the car so I haven't yet gotten around to replacing the switch, so i couldn't tell you for sure....

 

I checked a repair manual re: how to replace the multi-function switch. I decided to let the dealer do it. It cost $208 installed. Everything works great now.