The dashboard light associated with the headlight switch for my 2004 Ranger went out, requiring the dealer to replace the switch. The other day, I happened to put my hand near the switch (in daylight)--it was warmer than the rest of dashboard. Covering it up, I could see why it was warm--the indicator light was on, even though the headlights were not on. I assume that this means that this switch is defective in some way. Any ideas?

Kent Kester

 

It's normal to be on at full brighness with the headlights off and in fact, this causes a problem. These lights are prome to burning out thanks to this. I'm on my third one in just 16,700 miles . Dealer is getting to know me well.

 

Very interesting--similar to my Crown Victoria.


Always learn something new here!

Thanks!

Kent

 

When mine went out I just didn't both to change it. I know how to turn them on without the cheap light. LOL

 

It is a strange piece of engineering. Why would you want the light on all of the time--you can't really even see it during the daytime.

 

The only reason I can see for the light being on when the headlights are off is so stupid people can find the headlight switch when they drive in a tunnel. IMO, the best fix for the constantly burning out lamp problem is to review the schematics and mod the wiring to keep the light off when the headlights are off. Someone posted about a revision regarding replacing the lamp with an LED. That's fine, but when the dashlight dimmer is used, the LED will eventually hit a voltage that it will not operate at. New problem now. Unless a guy keeps his dash lights on real bright, but that means more frequent failure of the rest of the dash lights. Another new problem has just been created.