4WD indicator goes out with headlights on.

[flautodover]

1st time post here. Forgive me if this has been covered - I didn't find anything in a search...

4x4 seems to work ok and the indicator lights seem to correspond to what is happening.

For some reason, when I turn the headlights on, I lose the 4wd indicator light on the dash.

Any input on this would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks.
Paul

- I guess it would help that it's a 1997 Explorer, 4.0 with a 3 button switch: auto, 4w high and 4w low.

 

[97sprt4x4]

DId you check the dimmer, because i know on my ex, if the dimmer is all the way down, i can't see anything in the dash.

Justin

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread to the stock 91-94 section.

 

[flautodover]

Thanks, but that's working ok. The amber 4x4 light just goes completely out when I turn the headlights on. The rest of the dash dims ok. Electrical issues drive me nuts...

 

[DeRocha]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread to the stock 91-94 section.

At the bottom of his post he indicates the problem is on his '97...

 

[BrooklynBay]

At the bottom of his post he indicates the problem is on his '97...

Sorry about that. I was looking at the number 1993 in his profile. I'll move the thread again. I hope that he corrects his profile to say 1997.

 

[budwich]

well the "real test" is what happens when you are going down the highway on cruise control (keeping only one eye on the cruise light) and THEN throw on your lights.... that test takes a "real light switch"...

 

[flautodover]

Thanks for pointing that out...

 

[KPT]

DId you check the dimmer, because i know on my ex, if the dimmer is all the way down, i can't see anything in the dash.

Justin

Dimmer switch shouldn't matter. It only controls the backlight, not the individual indicator lights.

Could be a wiring problem. If I had to throw a random guess out there I'd say ground issue?

 

[Cobraguy]

This actually isn't that strange a problem. Maybe. Does your cruise indicator light go out too? How about your OD light? You see, the 4WD and Low Range indicator lights, along with the Cruise indicator light and the OD light all recieve power directly from the headlight switch. For example...if you unplug the headlight switch, none of those lights will work. Power is supplied by what should be pin 8 out of the switch (orange with black stripe). It's possible you have a headlight switch problem.

If the other lights still work, well then, you've got some work to do to try and find where the voltage drop is. The power is supplied from the switch...but the 4WD lights are actually turned on by the GEM.

 

[gijoecam]

This actually isn't that strange a problem. Maybe. Does your cruise indicator light go out too? How about your OD light? You see, the 4WD and Low Range indicator lights, along with the Cruise indicator light and the OD light all recieve power directly from the headlight switch. For example...if you unplug the headlight switch, none of those lights will work. Power is supplied by what should be pin 8 out of the switch (orange with black stripe). It's possible you have a headlight switch problem.

If the other lights still work, well then, you've got some work to do to try and find where the voltage drop is. The power is supplied from the switch...but the 4WD lights are actually turned on by the GEM.

I would concur. I would also add that the issue could be tied to the dimmer relay too, as the power first passes through the dimmer relay, then through the headlight switch, then to the IP. I wouldn't quite rule out the dimmer relay just yet...

 

[budwich]

well the "real test" is what happens when you are going down the highway on cruise control (keeping only one eye on the cruise light) and THEN throw on your lights.... that test takes a "real light switch"...

Thanks for pointing that out...

I don't think you understand... you need to do that test and tell us what happens to the light.

 

[flautodover]

Sorry about the "thanks for pointing that out comment". That was referring to me being listed as owning a 1993 vs. a 1997.

This got backburnered for a few days due to time. I'll be back on it tomorrow afternoon - after I replace the drivers door latch...

Thanks for all the input, I'll check things out and report what I find.

P.

 

[flautodover]

Just an update... Still working on this but got sidetracked by a transmission solenoid problem... I put a junkyard headlight switch in as a test (going on the assupmtion that it is good) and had the exact same problem. The cruise light did go out as well when I turned the headlights on. I'll post more when I have the solenoid problem squared away. Thanks again for all the input.

P.

 

[budwich]

well... thanks for the info. Assuming the "replacement switch" isn't bad, you have either broken LB/R wire going to the switch OR one side of the dimmer module is toast. Check for some "form of voltage" on the LB/R wire when you turn your light switch on.

 

[david_levin]

I've got the same problem on a Ranger

I have the exact same problem. I'm guessing it has something to do with the circuit that dims the light with the headlights are on (the ranger does not have a cruise light). The rest of the instruments dim fine.

I do not have a wiring diagram. Is there a relay or dimmer module someone could point me to. Is it one of the relays above the gas pedal ?

Thanks

 

[lapad96]

Same problem with 96 xlt...

Did anyone found resolution to this problem? 4x4 works and engages fine, indicator lights up during a day, and as soon as you turn on parking,headlights switch 4x4 indicator goes out...

 

[ErikElvis]

Necromancer. But this thread basically sums up,one of my problems

Same problem with 96 xlt...

Did anyone found resolution to this problem? 4x4 works and engages fine, indicator lights up during a day, and as soon as you turn on parking,headlights switch 4x4 indicator goes out...

 

[treywylie]

I had a similar issue, but the O/D indicator light was going out when the parking or headlights were on. O/D was working, but indicator was not lighting when headlights on. I also had weirdness in the module where the temp/compass are displayed. This area would not dim regardless of the dimmer setting. I replaced the headlight switch and it resolved both issues. I was expecting to have to deal with the dimmer module as well, but got lucky on the headlight switch being the sole fix.