Just bought a 98 4.0 Ranger and I am slowly getting rid of the little nits. One of them is the illumination of the headlight switch. Is it possible to replace the lamp in the switch or do you have to replace the switch? Does the dimmer switch have one also? Thank you.

sorry, i was not paying attention...i will be right back....

tbars... I think he want's to replace the bulb that illuminates the switch. I know we just had a thread on it but I can't find it. It was reguarding how the blue bulb was much cheaper than the green because the green was no longer made (or vice versa perhaps). I need one too and I can't find the *#%#&$%* thread with the part number.

As for the second question, the dimmer switch does NOT have illumination. At least the Gen 2 Ex/Ranger doesn't. Just another fun quirk of the Explorer.

i searched my haynes book and nothing...i've got a 95 ranger and i don't even think there is an illumination bulb for the headlight switch...i tried but someone else will chime in...

If it's the same as the Explorer it's a 7219 Micro lamp from Radio Shack. Pkg of 2 $1.19. You just remove the switch then remove the bulb (takes a bit of bending the wire like a Xmas lite) then replace like it came out.

Still can't find the thread, but I recall hearing that the bulb in the switch is always on to aid finding the switch in the dark when your lights aren't on yet.

So this bulb burns out very quickly and those of us who didn't buy our vehicles new, may never have seen it illuminated. Definitely a reason to go to LEDs (another thread) so that at least you'll have several thousand hours of drive time before the next one goes.

Thank y'all, I'm headed to Radio Shack. I'll let y'all know how it turns out.

The headlight panel light now works - I think. It shines when the lights are not on but as soon as I switch the lights on it goes out. Is this correct? Thank y'all for all of your help.

I know this is an old thread but I'm going through the same thing right now and thought I'd post up with the part # for the ford part.

The little bulb and socket with the green cover is part # F87Z13B765DA and it costs $11.43 at my local dealer.

I too am going to try the cheapo radio shack bulb - or maybe an led - but at least I know the part number now.

Here are the some pics of the bulb and the headlight switch. To release the bulb from the switch just stick a small screwdriver in the slot and twist counter-clockwise. Also - this is similar to the light in the 4x4 switch.

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p269/loriandmarke/P1010040Medium.jpg

My bulb is missing the green cover and is black from being burned out.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p269/loriandmarke/P1010042Medium.jpg

Well - I couldn't find any lightbulbs at radio shack that were the right size with the right leads. Plus I didn't really have any way to make the light green. So I decided to try LEDs.

It turned out to be a bit of a mess. 1 LED just didn't seem to be enough light - and it didn't seem to spread enough to light up all three indicators.

So I ended up tying two LEDs together and pointing them in opposite directions. In all, I'm pretty happy with the result. They are reasonably bright with the headlights off - and then are dimmable with the rest of the dash lights with the headlights on.

How I wired them:

I did end up covering the exposed wire/resister with a piece of shrink tubing.
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p269/loriandmarke/P1010043Medium.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p269/loriandmarke/P1010045Medium.jpg

Let there be light!
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p269/loriandmarke/P1010048Medium.jpg

They are a little less bright compared to the rest of the dash with the headlights on - but they are lit - which is a big step up for me. They are fairly bright - the picture makes it look significantly different - in real life it is less noticeable. Total cost was about $2.50 plus a dab of solder. :)
http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p269/loriandmarke/P1010049Medium.jpg