Regular lights don't work
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Georgia
Regular lights don't work
Anyone know of a fix for this? The parking lights work, the brights work, but regular lights don't. I recently had the dash uninstalled, but I think everything was put back together. But maybe there's a cable I don't know about?
Thanks for any help...
Thanks for any help...
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 753
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From: Oklahoma
Do the brights work all the time or just in the 'Flash to Pass' mode?
It may be the multi-function switch in the steering column. (Turn signal, hi/lo, hazzard, wipers)
There is also a possibility that since the dash was recently removed, maybe one of the wires either pulled out of the multi-function or possibly a connector has come loose on it.
You could just pull the covers off the steering column and start pushing around on the wires and plugs going to that switch.
Good luck, let us know what you find....
Tim
It may be the multi-function switch in the steering column. (Turn signal, hi/lo, hazzard, wipers)
There is also a possibility that since the dash was recently removed, maybe one of the wires either pulled out of the multi-function or possibly a connector has come loose on it.
You could just pull the covers off the steering column and start pushing around on the wires and plugs going to that switch.
Good luck, let us know what you find....
Tim
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Freshman User
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From: Georgia
Headlights Update
So I think it's actually the switch now. Turns out the parking lights work(1 click of the light switch) but the regular lights and the fog lights don't work. (2 clicks and a pull of the switch). Does this logic work? The switch itself is $80 and if I could confirm this is most likely the case, it'll justify the expense. The dealership said I can't return the switch if that isn't the problem. Once I hook it up(even for 30 seconds), it's 'used' and non-returnable. I think that's crazy, but what else can I do?
Thanks all...
Thanks all...
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 753
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From: Oklahoma
Robert,
Your logic works, but that's what I thought when I was working on my buddy's F-150....I was wrong and he was out $80 for headlight switch.
All of your symptoms are the same as his. We replaced the headlight switch and guess what....still no headlights! It turned out to be the multifunction switch in the steering column.
It takes about 15 minutes to change it and I think it costs about the same as the headlight switch.
If you feel brave and want to test this theory, pull the multi-switch out, take it apart and check out the guts of it (be careful not to lose any parts). You will most likely see some burned/worn parts on the inside of the switch around the hi/lo circuit.
Good luck and please post back what you find.
Tim
Your logic works, but that's what I thought when I was working on my buddy's F-150....I was wrong and he was out $80 for headlight switch.
All of your symptoms are the same as his. We replaced the headlight switch and guess what....still no headlights! It turned out to be the multifunction switch in the steering column.
It takes about 15 minutes to change it and I think it costs about the same as the headlight switch.
If you feel brave and want to test this theory, pull the multi-switch out, take it apart and check out the guts of it (be careful not to lose any parts). You will most likely see some burned/worn parts on the inside of the switch around the hi/lo circuit.
Good luck and please post back what you find.
Tim
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It makes sense, as even though the foglights are controlled by the dashboard light switch, it's illegal in many jurisdictions to have the foglights and high beams on at the same time, thus the multifunction switch should be cutting power to the foglights whenever the high beams are selected, possibly even during the brief moment that the flash-to-pass feature is being used.
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Freshman User
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From: Georgia
I've actually already taken apart the multifunction switch. I didn't see anything that seemed unusual...no corrosion or broken parts or anything like that. I cleaned off the old contact grease with rubbing alcohol and put on some new. Still don't work. I'm going to check out the headlight switch with an Ohmmeter to see if it's good, just in case. Then I'll go back into the multifunction switch and see if I can re-clean it. Then I'll buy a new multifunction switch.
Man this is getting annoying.
Thanks for the advice...
Man this is getting annoying.
Thanks for the advice...
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Freshman User
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From: Georgia
Headlights still out
I still haven't gotten a new multifunction switch. I can't help but think that my recent dash removal project to replace the blend door had something to do with the switch out. A loose wire or something just has to be up there.
A new question...there are some wires up under the dash that are unconnected to anything else. My mechanic friend said they most likely never hooked to anything. As he's the one that removed that side of the dash, I have to believe them. But with two 'dangling' wires it makes me wonder if they aren't supposed to hook to something. And no, they don't hook together. One is mounted a little above and behind the computer interface jack(left side if you're facing the steering wheel). The other hangs down loose on the right side facing the steering well. Does anyone else have these? Or should they be hooked to something I currently can't find?
thanks for the help...
A new question...there are some wires up under the dash that are unconnected to anything else. My mechanic friend said they most likely never hooked to anything. As he's the one that removed that side of the dash, I have to believe them. But with two 'dangling' wires it makes me wonder if they aren't supposed to hook to something. And no, they don't hook together. One is mounted a little above and behind the computer interface jack(left side if you're facing the steering wheel). The other hangs down loose on the right side facing the steering well. Does anyone else have these? Or should they be hooked to something I currently can't find?
thanks for the help...
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New User
Joined: Oct 2004
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I've got the exact same problem
Did you ever get a solution?? Multifunction switch or light switch????
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Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Georgia
No solution yet. I just drive my other car at night. Does anyone know about my earlier question? Are there supposed to be two wire assemblies in plain view under the steering wheel? I can't find anything they could attach to, but I also can't get my headlights to work. I just don't want to buy an $80 switch when I know I had just had the steering wheel down and all the wires loose when the lights stopped working. The two things just have to be connected. Or unconnected as the case my be. =)
Thanks for any suggestions.
Thanks for any suggestions.
New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23
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Loose wiring under dash
Sorry I've been meaning to post this for a week! I looked under the steering column on my 97 and there are no loose hanging wiring. There are two plugs with wires for testing purposes. One is a rectangular gray connector with six wires going into it that is attached to the underside of the dash with a push in connector like the ones in the body panels (plastic). The other connector is black and is for the diagnostic testing. Mine has a cap that says for diagnostics. Don't know if that will help but it's the best I can do. BTW I've got a multi function switch on the way and will let you know if that solves the problem. Sorry about not responding sooner. I know how it feels to get no response and wonder if the question is somehow wrong.
Dan
Dan
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Freshman User
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From: Georgia
Still out...ugh...
I've got the two for testing purposes...black and gray. Believe me I know about the black one. That's where you hook the code reader...been there, done that. Articdan, you're saying there are no other pretty obvious connections just dangling around not hooked to anything in yours? Seems fishy, so tomorrow I'm going to take the dash apart again and see if I can't find what's wrong. I figure/hope if I lower the steering column like my friend did to remove the dash the first time, I'll see where the wires are supposed to connect. If I can't find it, I'll try and take pictures under my dash so hopefully someone will recognize where they are supposed to connect.
If that doesn't work, I'm outta luck and will have to try a new switch. For now I've just been driving at night with my headlights on high but partially covered so they look 'dim'. Fun...
Thanks for all the help...
If that doesn't work, I'm outta luck and will have to try a new switch. For now I've just been driving at night with my headlights on high but partially covered so they look 'dim'. Fun...
Thanks for all the help...
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Georgia
Headlights STILL out...Argh...
So I now know it isn't either the multifunction switch or the headlight switch. I replaced both with a set from a friend's truck. Mine worked in his truck, and his didn't work in mine.
So I guess that leaves me with a bad wire somewhere. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to go about figuring out which is bad?
Thanks all....
So I guess that leaves me with a bad wire somewhere. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to go about figuring out which is bad?
Thanks all....
New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23
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Sorry I couldn't help
Bedasi, sorry I couldn't help. The way mine got solved was I sold the truck. I was getting pretty fed up with one thing after another going wrong so I opted out of the Expedition ranks. Good luck finding a solution.
Dan
Dan
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: Cornelius, Oregon
Originally Posted by Bedasi
So I now know it isn't either the multifunction switch or the headlight switch. I replaced both with a set from a friend's truck. Mine worked in his truck, and his didn't work in mine.
So I guess that leaves me with a bad wire somewhere. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to go about figuring out which is bad?
Thanks all....
So I guess that leaves me with a bad wire somewhere. Anyone have any suggestions as to how to go about figuring out which is bad?
Thanks all....