'00 4.0 OHV Low/High Beam Question

[Andy D.]

Since I've had my Explorer, the High Beams have been god awful. When I flash the Highs, they're very bright, when I flip them on, they're terrible. I know fogs are supposed to turn off, but are Lows also supposed to turn off when I switch on the Highs? They stay on when I flash, but turn off when Highs are switched on all the way.

I remedied by using pods, but I spent about $200 on all ZXe's about 4 months ago, and it's a bummer they're going to waste.

 

[239]

Since I've had my Explorer, the High Beams have been god awful. When I flash the Highs, they're very bright, when I flip them on, they're terrible. I know fogs are supposed to turn off, but are Lows also supposed to turn off when I switch on the Highs? They stay on when I flash, but turn off when Highs are switched on all the way.

I remedied by using pods, but I spent about $200 on all ZXe's about 4 months ago, and it's a bummer they're going to waste.

Lows and fogs turn off when you switch to high beams, yes. Ford did this since the heat from the halogens would be too much if you ran the high and low filaments on the 9007 bulbs for too long.

There’s a relay mod posted that allows you to run fogs and highs at the same time but unfortunately it doesn’t work for my 2000. It might work for yours.

 

[Gary Crist]

Federal law prevents one from running both lights
all the time.
I got dinged by D.O.T. when we used to import German MBs
you could not buy Stateside.

 

[239]

Federal law prevents one from running both lights
all the time.
I got dinged by D.O.T. when we used to import German MBs
you could not buy Stateside.

That’s interesting. I always thought it was a wiring issue. I wonder how modern cars get around that. Such as the ones with multiple led projectors in one housing.

 

[Andy D.]

Appreciate the replies. I was worried it was factory like that. Guess I'll just have to stick with my two light pods. At least until I buy aftermarket headlights, if I ever do.

 

[masospaghetti]

When you "flash" your high beams, the low filament stays on. When you turn on the high beams, the low filament shuts off.

The fogs wouldn't provide any meaningful improvement in high beam performance even if they stayed on. The throw from the fog lights is extremely low and wide, literally intended to show the edges of a road when the fog is extremely heavy, traveling at low speeds.

In my experience the high beams aren't fantastic, but they are adequate. Before getting auxiliary lighting or aftermarket lights i'd recommend getting new OEM housings and some good high-output halogen bulbs.

These have served me well (I get mine from Rockauto):

PHILIPS 9007XV X-treme Vision; Up to 100% More Light $12.08
WAGNER 9007BLX BriteLite; 80% More Light $7.35
GE 9007NHP Nighthawk Platinum; Up To 90% More Light $12.01