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Need to narrow problem down - lights

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Old Jul 11, 2008 | 11:25 PM
  #1  
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Unhappy Need to narrow problem down - lights

Hi everyone. Have a wee problem that I think have figured out, but want other opinions. Put new batteries in today. Went over to neighbors, turned truck off and headlight switch off, and pulled key out slightly. Daytime running lights stilled stayed on. Had to work the key switch a little to get them off, but I did. They seem to stay off if I pull the key right out.

Now, some background. Lately, the radio light (time) doesn't always come on when I first turn the key, UNLESS the wait to start light comes on first...which sometimes doesn't come on.

All of these light problems leads me to believe my key switch is worn out. Do you agree? If so, what do they cost, and how hard is it to replace myself (or time to do in a shop).

Also, in accessory position, is it normal for the lights to be on? I have had this happen ever since I got the truck and didn't think they should be on it the accessory position.

Thanks guys! I am hoping to get parts tomorrow as I have a big trip in a week and can't have dead batteries.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 12:40 AM
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a new headlight switch is like 17 dollars. on your dash you have those to little strips that come off. pull those off and there should be 4 bolts behind those. and then were your dash stopps going down. there should be 2 more bolts."they are torque bits heads"
then you pull the **** off your headlight switch and pull the dash back slightly. also helps to move hte steering wheel all the way down. and there should be 2 more screws holding in the headlight switch. take off your pigtail put the new switch in and put the dash back on. very simple.
id try a new switch before anything. cheap and easy.
hope this helped
Mitch
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 01:14 AM
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Unhappy

I thought about that too. Might be.


I should add. Just before bed, lights came on again, this time the keys were not in the ignition. I unhooked the batteries for the night.

Also, each time, only the front lights come on, not the rear. Which leads me to daytime running lights. But what is the reason? Time to sleep on this and maybe come up with a solution in the morning.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 01:17 AM
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I think 79 is on the right path. Headlight switch might have a sort on it. Pretty simple and easy fix.

Daytime running lights? I'm confused... What lights are staying on?

We will get you goin in by the end of the week!
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 01:20 AM
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I still think its the headlight switch. Pull it out and see what the connections look like.

I guess I'm having a problems following you. Are you turning on the head lamps or our the head lamps turning on themselves?
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 06:43 AM
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NW It sounds like you have a short or a blown fuse my dad just had this problem last weekend but it was his parking lights we changed the headlight switch,and still had the problem turns out the wires had melted on the back side of the plug for the headlights.

Farm he is talking about his daytime headlights(running lights) which turn on soon as you turn the key on.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 06:56 AM
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Maybe this can help

1997 F-250/350/Super Duty Workshop Manual

 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 07:22 AM
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Might be your Daylight Running Light(s) Module (DRL). It's located down by the radiator support somewhere. I don't have one. Two fuses control it. Fuse #3 is hot all the time and fuse #5 is hot in Run. Pull those fuses and if the problem continues then it is probably in the headlight switch, otherwise the DRL module is probably bad. The way i see it they should only come on in Run and not Accessory so you might also have a key switch issue.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 08:59 AM
  #9  
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Red face

Thanks guys. Will try the fuses and the switch. Will keep you posted on progress.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 10:41 AM
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Question

Ok update time. Checked all fuses. Only one burnt out is for the cigarette lighter (was wondering why it didn't work). Rest are fine. Took out switch and tested pin H on the connector with multimeter. Tested no voltage when headlamps are off, so don't think it is the switch.

Other suggestion in Ford Manual is to test the multifunction switch connector. I am thinking that is under the dash/steering column, yes?

Any more ideas? Daytime running light module looked fine appearance-wise, didn't test though.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 10:48 AM
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did you try to put your park brake on and see if they turn off?
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 12:24 PM
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Unhappy

Parking brake is always set when I park, and they still came on last night.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 01:16 PM
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If you disconnect your DRL,s for now will your headlights still come on? till you get to Winnipeg

If the radio and stuff aren't coming on when you turn the key then maybe it is the Ignition.

Also just curious but do you think when you were putting in your new batteries you might have pinched a wire or something because the DRL,s module is in that area
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 01:31 PM
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Courtesy of Tjbeggs ... and thank you very much sir for posting these !!!

Wiring Diagrams pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots

Go to page 4 and click on "Headlights w DTRL. You can see how the DRL module is interfaced in the headlight system. Pulling fuse # 3 and 5 should completely disable that module for testing purposes.
 
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Old Jul 12, 2008 | 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Hussler
Courtesy of Tjbeggs ... and thank you very much sir for posting these !!!

Wiring Diagrams pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots

Go to page 4 and click on "Headlights w DTRL. You can see how the DRL module is interfaced in the headlight system. Pulling fuse # 3 and 5 should completely disable that module for testing purposes.
Thanks for posting that. My thinking is that if I pull the #3 fuse and the lights still come on when off, than its the ignition switch. If I leave the #3 and pull the #5, than its the module. Are these the fuses in the box or the panel?
 
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