Ranger Headlight switch, backlighting question
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New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13
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From: Fort Worth
Ranger Headlight switch, backlighting question
I have a 96 ranger 2.3, the backlight behind the headlight switch seems to be non working, i never even thought there was a light there untill i was talking to a friend after work last night and he was sitting in his 96 explorer, exact same dash setup...the thing was though, the backlight in his explorer was on even with headlight switch totally off...is it on all the time? or is there a day night sensor to tell it to turn that light on?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 156
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From: Virginia
I have a 2001 B4000 with a similar problem. The backlight for the little graphics that indicate which lights are on used to light up until about 2 weeks ago. (it was lit all the time, day or night, when the truck was on) The **** however has never lit up since I have had the truck so I'm not sure if it supposed to or not.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 176
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I have a 95 Ranger. Are you talking about the 3 circular settings around the dial-type headlight switch? Mine don't light up either, I don't know if they were ever supposed to or not. My friends B4000 also does not light up. Can anyone out there let me know if theirs light up?
New User
Joined: Mar 2004
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3 backlights by Headlight switch SHOULD work
I bought my 97 Ranger brand new and remember seeing these little lights at night for the first time. I had no power on, but could see these lit up. I though, "what great idea, 
it actually shows you where to turn on the lights".
Well it was about 3 months later and it went out.
I took it back to the dealer for a few minor things and they fixed this too. About another 3 months later, it went out again. 
I never did take it back for them to fix.
I am not sure if the light is burned out or if there is a short.
I suspect this light may come on for some preset length of time once you lift the door handle, just like the dome light will do.....am not sure though as it does not work currently.
it actually shows you where to turn on the lights".Well it was about 3 months later and it went out.
I took it back to the dealer for a few minor things and they fixed this too. About another 3 months later, it went out again. I never did take it back for them to fix.I am not sure if the light is burned out or if there is a short.
I suspect this light may come on for some preset length of time once you lift the door handle, just like the dome light will do.....am not sure though as it does not work currently.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 266
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From: Rocky Mountains
There is a little peanut size light installed in the light switch. When I had my dash pulled apart to change the burnt out bulbs, I did an investigation of the light switch. I called the local Ford outlet and they said they didn't sell the bulb separately, and you had to buy a new light switch. They wanted $10-20 dollars and I thought this is stupid, so I removed the light switch and with a little investigation found out the old bulb could be removed. I went to Radio-Shack and bought a 12volt, 10,000 hour bulb, with long bare leads for about $2.00. Now my switch lights up again. Sorry I forgot the number of the bulb and other info, but since you can no longer access old threads, I can't give you updated info. But yes, you can replace that bulb.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Higginsville, MO
My headlight switch on my 2004 lights up. I have had it since May and have 10,000 miles on it and it still works
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Fort Smith
You can buy the bulb separately. I've got a list of the bulb numbers somehwere (probably at home 
), but I know there is a pic floating around both the Ranger and Explorer forums that has the bulb numbers for the headlight, foglight, etc.
Let me find that pic....
), but I know there is a pic floating around both the Ranger and Explorer forums that has the bulb numbers for the headlight, foglight, etc.Let me find that pic....
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Fort Smith
Didn't find the pic yet, but here are the part numbers:
If you have a '95-97 model, your bulb has a blue cover over it. The part number is F57Z*13B765*AC. That bulb now lists for like $40. The parts man at the dealership said they may be discontinuing them and that is why the price had gone up so high.
Save yourself some money and get a bulb for a '98+ model. The part number is F87Z*13B765*DA. It has a green cover over it. This bulb costs about $10.
Simply take a razor blade and cut the rubber cover around the base of each bulb. Carefully pull off the green cover off the new bulb. Use it as a practice try because the covers are very easy to tear. Then carefully pull the blue cover from your old bulb and put it over your new bulb. You now have a bulb that will shine blue and saved $30.
If you have a '95-97 model, your bulb has a blue cover over it. The part number is F57Z*13B765*AC. That bulb now lists for like $40. The parts man at the dealership said they may be discontinuing them and that is why the price had gone up so high.
Save yourself some money and get a bulb for a '98+ model. The part number is F87Z*13B765*DA. It has a green cover over it. This bulb costs about $10.
Simply take a razor blade and cut the rubber cover around the base of each bulb. Carefully pull off the green cover off the new bulb. Use it as a practice try because the covers are very easy to tear. Then carefully pull the blue cover from your old bulb and put it over your new bulb. You now have a bulb that will shine blue and saved $30.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2004
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From: Higginsville, MO
Originally Posted by Level2
My headlight switch on my 2004 lights up. I have had it since May and have 10,000 miles on it and it still works
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,392
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From: Greenvile, SC
I couldn't help but to stop and notice this thread...
Their was a light on my switch till one day.. i hit a bump...then some odd rattling behind my fuse box area...then moments later (catchin my attention) a Green over black..."Thing" popped out relizing it was my light bulb...
Took me nearly an hr to re-install it to only have it pop back out a week later in the same spot....I think I'll deal without the light until I have another reason to tear the dash apart...
ohh Level2.. the dealer replaced my handles due to the same problem (when it was still under warranty..)
Their was a light on my switch till one day.. i hit a bump...then some odd rattling behind my fuse box area...then moments later (catchin my attention) a Green over black..."Thing" popped out relizing it was my light bulb...
Took me nearly an hr to re-install it to only have it pop back out a week later in the same spot....I think I'll deal without the light until I have another reason to tear the dash apart...
ohh Level2.. the dealer replaced my handles due to the same problem (when it was still under warranty..)
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 73
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From: spokane, wa
Trigger, if you were able to reinstall the bulb in an hour, does that mean it can be done without removing the dash? I don't want to do that if at all possible. I would have a shop do it since I only have a curb to work at, if you know what I mean. I can live without the light but I hate it when things aren't working correctly.
Thanks in advance for your help.
ronnidonni
Thanks in advance for your help.
ronnidonni
Last edited by ronnidonni; Dec 31, 2004 at 08:56 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Greenvile, SC
...My Skimmpppy removal practices?!?!?
Hey Ronni,
I skimmped' out on the amount of items that should have been removed...I'm jus kinda familar of what is going to be in my way for that particular operation.. (mainly the Plastic fscade..hood release bracket and the metal shroud underneath it).
It jus a bear having to work around a couple of dozen wiring bundles..Oh to help install I had a small mechanics mirror and a light, I saw the the hole ...threw the bulb in and managed to rotate it...but I think next time i'll take more items off...so it may turn into a 2hr job.
P.s: I think the manual has you taking out more items than what I did...I'll see if I can look into it..
I skimmped' out on the amount of items that should have been removed...I'm jus kinda familar of what is going to be in my way for that particular operation.. (mainly the Plastic fscade..hood release bracket and the metal shroud underneath it).
It jus a bear having to work around a couple of dozen wiring bundles..Oh to help install I had a small mechanics mirror and a light, I saw the the hole ...threw the bulb in and managed to rotate it...but I think next time i'll take more items off...so it may turn into a 2hr job.
P.s: I think the manual has you taking out more items than what I did...I'll see if I can look into it..
Cross-Country
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 73
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From: spokane, wa
Thanks Trigger. I really should get a manual. When I was younger I always bought a manual for whatever rig we had at the time. Now I'm just lazy. Would rather have a mechanic do most work. However, I see this one as being a job that would be really expensive at a shop, so I'm willing to tackle it, I think. 
I was looking around the area of the panel you mentioned yesterday. I seems that could be remove without taking out the entire dash. Oh for the days when you could just reach behind the dash to reach all the bulbs.
I sure appreciate your's and everyone's help. What a great forum! I found this when I was looking for the heater control problem. You know, the one when the plenum door control breaks. I found the fix here. Saved over $700!!
I was looking around the area of the panel you mentioned yesterday. I seems that could be remove without taking out the entire dash. Oh for the days when you could just reach behind the dash to reach all the bulbs. I sure appreciate your's and everyone's help. What a great forum! I found this when I was looking for the heater control problem. You know, the one when the plenum door control breaks. I found the fix here. Saved over $700!!
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,392
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From: Greenvile, SC
Hey Ronni,
I was flippin thro my manual and it has the upper bezel being taken off to access the headlight switch easier; it seems to have the lower cover (fscade and metal reinforcement plate removed..exposing Two screws for the lower half of the bezel
assembly...and you can see three screws in the black area of the upper portion of the bezel. Oh the manual (picture) has the steering wheel off...but I assume its for easier illustrative purposes...since they dont mention it in the instructions.
Oh the blend controls... I'll be comin to you if mine "ever" breaks.. =o)
Btw: the book im using is Haynes (#36071) Ranger '93-'00/ Mazda(s) B2300,3000,4000
I found the info @ chaper/page: 12-12 Which fowards you to: 11-12 & 13..
Good Luck!! =o)
I was flippin thro my manual and it has the upper bezel being taken off to access the headlight switch easier; it seems to have the lower cover (fscade and metal reinforcement plate removed..exposing Two screws for the lower half of the bezel
assembly...and you can see three screws in the black area of the upper portion of the bezel. Oh the manual (picture) has the steering wheel off...but I assume its for easier illustrative purposes...since they dont mention it in the instructions.
Oh the blend controls... I'll be comin to you if mine "ever" breaks.. =o)
Btw: the book im using is Haynes (#36071) Ranger '93-'00/ Mazda(s) B2300,3000,4000
I found the info @ chaper/page: 12-12 Which fowards you to: 11-12 & 13..
Good Luck!! =o)