Headlights not working (not MFS, Fuses, or bulbs)

[98XplorerSprt]

I'm really frustrated right now. I can't figure out why my low beams don't work.

I had this issue before and changed the MFS and everything was fine for over a year. Everything works except low beam and when I push the LFS forward to keep high beams on, I have to hold the MFS back to keep the high beams on. (sounds like a classic MFS issue)

Went to Autozone and bought a new MFS, made the switch and no luck checked all fuses and they all look good, checked and changed a bulb and they are fine

I don't have LOM (thats the information center thats tell you oil changes, gas mileage and what not right?) well I don't have that thing so I don't think it could be the LOM

I thought it might be the connector, but the connector looks exactly like it did when I changed out the 1st MFS over a year ago. However I am slightly concerned and that is why I posted a pic.

 

[limited5]

Its your headlight switch.

 

[98XplorerSprt]

Its your headlight switch.

The thing I turn to the right? I don't think so because my dash lights up as well as the amber lights around the headlight when I turn the headlight switch to the run

 

[limited5]

Well fromwhat i have read on this site sounds like the headlight switch.l myself had a nightmare with all the electrical gone wrong with my truck.l replaced headlightswitc,breaklightswitch,LOM, and multifunction switch.lt was a combo of all to get all my lights working.Now that i recall my multifunction switch did fix my headlight prob.Take yours out again and give it a good cleaning sounds like your not getting a good connection.Look at the dust in your dash lmao that could be the prob.

 

[98XplorerSprt]

Well fromwhat i have read on this site sounds like the headlight switch.l myself had a nightmare with all the electrical gone wrong with my truck.l replaced headlightswitc,breaklightswitch,LOM, and multifunction switch.lt was a combo of all to get all my lights working.Now that i recall my multifunction switch did fix my headlight prob.Take yours out again and give it a good cleaning sounds like your not getting a good connection.Look at the dust in your dash lmao that could be the prob.

lol, I knew someone was going to say something about the dust on the dash I'll go outside with my air cannister and some alky and wipe some things down and pray it works

 

[limited5]

if yours doesnt work a cheap way to see if it is it ,go to the scrap yard and pay 5 buxs for 1.good Luck

 

[98XplorerSprt]

if yours doesnt work a cheap way to see if it is it ,go to the scrap yard and pay 5 buxs for 1.good Luck

Headlight switch or MFS?

 

[98XplorerSprt]

Can anyone give me the link to the headlight switch at Autozone. I can't find the damn thing on their web site for the life of me

 

[budwich]

well do yourself a favor and get a meter.... you are basically there at solving your problem with access to the connectors. Start checking for voltage. At the MFS connector, there should be voltage on pin 2 and 7 (R/Y and something?/O)... I can't make out the other color. If there is nothing on pin 2 (with your light switch turned to "headlights"), then you have a problem with your light switch. If both pins have voltage, then you have a MFS problem or a poorly seated connector.

 

[98XplorerSprt]

well do yourself a favor and get a meter.... you are basically there at solving your problem with access to the connectors. Start checking for voltage. At the MFS connector, there should be voltage on pin 2 and 7 (R/Y and something?/O)... I can't make out the other color. If there is nothing on pin 2 (with your light switch turned to "headlights"), then you have a problem with your light switch. If both pins have voltage, then you have a MFS problem or a poorly seated connector.

Thanks Bud, I have been passing on getting a volt meter for the longest time, I just never knew how to use them :thumbdwn: I am sure it is east once I get my hands on it.

Any particular brand/model volt meter you recommend? Sears, Home Depot?

By the way, just ordered a new headlamp switch from Advanced Auto Parts http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=GPS&MfrPartNumber=LS807
Autozone didn't have the 98 version listed, but had the other years with the blue bulbs, so I went with Advanced who has the green bulb.

 

[budwich]

nothing sacred about meters... for this kind of stuff, cheap is "good" that way if you blow it up from "misuse" / dropping / grease / getting caught in the rad fan... its no big deal. A cheapo 3 digit meter should be had for $10 or less. Set the thing on "dc voltage". Take the black lead and clip it / touch it to a good metal ground area near you "measurement" site (ie. leads aren't that long) and careful touch (make sure not to touch two pins at once, that sort of thing causes sparks) the red lead to the pin you want to measure... voila... the digits should "scroll" and you should see something like 12 v (oooh chose a scale of 50 /100 v if it isn't "auto ranging"). Digital meters take a little more abuse than a "needle type" meter which you can "hurt" if you hit it with "too much" of what you are measuring... needle going all the way over or under.

 

[98XplorerSprt]

Noticed I never updated my thread. It was the headlight switch

I ended up getting one from Advanced Auto

 

[usmcvet2013]

2002 explorer

hey everyone, new to the site so I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right area. Anyways, i got a 2002 explorer and about a month ago my head lights stopped working but my high beams worked, last night on my way home my head lights and high beams wouldn't work at all,but my parking light come on, i figured maybe the cold could have something to do with it considering it was -2 degrees but i went and checked this morning and still no lights what so ever. i want to say its the switch but I'm not much of a ford guy so i really don't know much about fords. anyone have any idea of what else it could be? thanks.