Well, my headlights have stopped working. A few weeks ago I noticed that they weren't on when they should have been. I wiggled the turn-signal/high-beam wand and they came on (that's happened twice now). Yesterday I noticed that they weren't coming on at all. Should I suspect the wand? The windshield washer "button" on the end of the wand has never consistently worked either. Anyone have any ideas?

 

Sounds like you need a new multi-function switch (MFS) located at the base of your turn signal stalk. Last I checked it costs about $50 from the dealer. Be sure to disconnect your battery before working on the steering column.

Mason

 

Thanks Mason, I think I'll pick one up this afternoon, if this rain stops. Does it make sense that the "flash-to-pass" feature works but neither the hi- no lo- beams work on their own? Is it difficult to replace the MFS?

 

Do you have an EB or Limited with the Lights Out Module (LOM)? If so, this could be your headlights problem in addition to the MFS. Pretty easy to install. Suggest you stop by the auto parts store and pick up a Haynes manual for your year.

Mason

 

I've got the Haynes book. It's a '95 XLT. I called Ford and they have the MFS in stock for only $4 more than the aftermarket one from Wells. I think I'm going to get that and give it a try. The Haynes manual spells it out pretty well?

 

Yet another problem solved by the members of FTE.

Mason, thanks for the advice, replacing the MFS cleared the problem right up. It also took care of the annoyance of the windshield washer not always working.

Thanks again.

 

Good to hear that it wasn't a bigger problem. I had a '95 XLT (as well as a '91 XLT and now a '99 XLT with V8) and I think the '95 is my personal favorite. Believe it or not I'm not a Ford man. Of course, after about 300,000 miles in Explorers I have never had a major component problem.

Mason

 

Isn't it hard to say you're not a ford man when you've had 3 Explorers ant that many miles?! I'm not a ford man either, I bought this off the estate of my brother-in-law's late father. It was 6 years old with 25,000 miles and I couldn't pass it up! I've been real happy. Other than your typical repairs: alternator, plugs, wires, tires, random fuses/relays, etc. I haven't had any major problems. 90,000 miles now and I have no immediate plans of getting rid of it.

Why do you favor the '95?

 

I am having the same problem - if I jiggle the turn signal stalk, my lights will eventually come on, but they will go off again if I touch the stalk or use the turn signals or sometimes if I hit a big bump in the road. I have a Haynes manual, but can you give me a quick synopsis of what is involved to replace this... i.e. how do I get to it?

Now that you mention it, I have had the problem of the winshield washer not always working for quite some time now - I didn't really think anything of it, as it usually would work again after I tried a second or third time.

Thanks in advance for any tips.

Edited to mention, mine is a 97 Explorer XLT and I am about to hit 160,000 miles any day. I just drove across the country 2 weeks ago. First American car I've had that I actually want to hang on to.

 

Replacing the Multi Function Switch was pretty easy. I picked mine up at Ford, it was only a couple bucks more than the one at AutoZone, $62 or so. On mine, which is a 95 XLT, all I had to do was:

- Tilt the steering wheel up.
- Remove the lilt lever with an adjustable wrench.
- Remove the Philips screws holding the column cover on, I think there were 3, maybe 4.
- Screw the tilt lever in enough to use it and tip the wheel down.
- Lift the top of the column cover enough to get at the switch.
- Remove the switch with a Torx bit, I think #20. I think there were 2 screws
- Use a regular screwdriver to pop off the connectors. An extra pair of hands here could make it a lot easier.
- Reverse these steps to install the new one!

I think it took me 15-30 minutes and it works like a charm. The day before I noticed that the headlights wouldn't work at all I could smell an acrid smoke in the truck. When Igot the switch out I pulled it apart and found a burnt plastic spot that had the same smell! It is clear that these things are prone to failure!

Good luck. Let me know how it goes. Also, it helps to move the driver's seat back as far as it will go.

 

Thank you! I have to wait until I get paid later this week, then I will have a go at it. I will let you know how it turns out! I am glad to hear it won't cost me an arm and a leg, and it will be nice to have the windshield washer working all the time, as well!

 

FloatJ, your directions were perfect! It was indeed a #20 torx bit. Took me about 20 minutes and everything works again!! I just did it now - I had ordered the part from Kragen and it took about 10 days to get it, but it was only 59.99. Just found the time to do it today.

Thanks for your help!

 

Great, I'm glad it worked for you. I got some really great info from this site to fix mine. It is a great bunch of people.