96 Exloprer XLT - Headlight problem

[moth010]

My headlights didn't go on in my '96 XLT. When I turned the switch, all the lights worked except for the headlamps, hazards and fog lights (corner lights, taillamps all work, interior lights dim.) The high beams work when you hold the switch toward the driver, but not when you push the switch toward the dash (where they stay on by themselves.)

I replaced the multifunction switch in the dash today. Strangely, after replacing the Multi switch, my headlights work, my high beams and my fog lights now work but my hazard lights dont, flashers dont and my car shorts out when I try to start it. Ive checked the fuses in the side of the dash and under the hood and they seem to be all intact. I have no idea how I got the headlights to work but have these other problems.

Please help!!!

 

[budwich]

what do you mean "car shorts out"????? sounds like you have a wiring problem in the column after your "exploration" to replace the MFS. The hazards get their "feed" thru the MFS.

 

[moth010]

'Shorts out' meaning all the power dies in the car. I unhooked the battery and then hook it back up to get power back. Something strange happened last time I did it before I quit trying - I tried to start the car and the power died but after about 30 seconds it all came back on again. I just dont understand how I got the headlights back but lost the blinkers, the hazards dont work and the car wont start, when originally the problem was only the hazards and headlights.

The MFS was two plugs with multiple wires to each plug. All I did was remove the plugs from the old MFS and inserted them into the new MFS. I really didnt do any wiring.

 

[budwich]

Thanks for the extra info..... now I understand and have similar disbelieves. Anyways, when in the "shorted out" mode does your horn work. If not you likely have a battery cable problem OR... where did you get your replacement MFS from????

 

[moth010]

It works!!! I removed the MFS from the steering column and replaced it. Now everything works (except for the hazard lights) and the car starts.

My only question now is, why are the hazard lights not working? When I push the hazard button to 'on' the flashers do not work. When the hazard button is to the 'off' position the flashers work fine. Any ideas???

 

[budwich]

I don't think hazards and signal lights work together.... its one or the other. Anyways... it appears from your "playing around" that there are a few possible "weak" connections since you are getting different results at different time. Best advice without more results / measurements, is check your connections. When things aren't working, get a meter and look for voltage at expected points and / or trace back to where there is expected voltage.

I don't understand your "removed the MFS from the column and replaced it".... with another unit, re-installed the same unit, re-installed the old unit?????? maybe a possible broken wire in and around your column.

 

[moth010]

I removed the MFS (the new one), checked it for any damage as well as looked at the wires and when I re-installed it into the steering column, everything worked except for the hazard lights. I threw the old MFS away.

Could there be any fuses that I am missing associated with the hazard lights? I checked the fuse box on the side of the dash and it looks fine. As far as checking voltage, where do the wires from the MFS lead too? The fuse box under the hood?

 

[budwich]

well at this rate, if you take out again and put it back in, may be everything will work...

Anyways, there are two fuses.... don't look at them.... you can't see "continuity"... check them with a meter. It appears the one for turns is working.... but since a "re-install" helped a bit, I don't suspect a fuse as fuse don't heal themselves... I suspect poor connections. meter meter meter.

 

[moth010]

I will check them with a meter but how would I check the hazard connection? I understand checking the fuse but would I have to look up the schematics of the wiring for the hazard conections?

 

[budwich]

yep schematics always help. However, hopefully I can convey some important test points. At the MFS, the plug(s) with wiring coming from the flasher is LB for the turns and W/R for the hazards. It is pulsed voltage (ie. turns on and off at your "flash rate". Unplug and test. your meter should "bounce" with the flaash rate.... test both.... since you have one working, it will give you a clue as to what to see with the other. Of course, you need your key on for the turn test but not for the hazard test. If there are "no pulses" coming from the hazards then check the flasher module.... same color out... maybe a broken wire (doubt it), and as previously stated, check the voltage in from the fuse (R/W for the hazards at the flash module). Hope that helps.