'97 Explorer XLT No headlights!

[eb13doc]

So the other day I am driving through town...terrible weather, the roads are crap..takes me until 9pm to drive 5 miles after getting out of work at 5pm...just a terrible day to be on the roads.

But my problem occured just after, I get back to my apartment and shut the truck off. Everything was working just fine at this point, about half an hour later when I go back out to the truck, I start it up, turn on the headlights, except, no headlights. I get out, check fuses in the freezing cold, all ok. I have my ambers, turn signals, tail lights and brake lights but no low or high beams, UNLESS I pull back on the MFS for the Flash to pass. That the only way my main assembly lights up. So as of right now Im driving down the road at night holding back my flash to pass. I've done some looking into it, but I see so many different possibilities, I'm just hoping someone can help me out..

1997 Ford Explorer XLT
4.0

 

[1996BLKBauer]

Not sure if your '97 has this, but check out to see if you Lamp outtage module.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoeubUfAllU

To do what I did should take an hour.

 

[eb13doc]

Ill check it out tonight if I can, thank you!

Edit: I was just able to run out and take a look at in on break...I do not have an LOM unfortunately...I was hoping that would be an easy fix

 

[1996BLKBauer]

How do you turn on your lights? Do you turn the knob, or do you rely on the Auto, if you have that. Next thing to do would have somebody turn on the lights, and for you to listen for the Relay to turn on, if you don't hear it swap that headlight relay for another, and see if it works then, if it does, then it's the relay, if it isn't, then it's before the relay, possibly the switch, but I am not 100%. Let me know what you find.

With the flash to pass working though, I am pretty sure it's the switch... but that doesn't mean that it could't be something else like a wire.

 

[eb13doc]

I turn the knob, no autolamps for me. Should I still be able to hear a relay without the auto lamps?

 

[eb13doc]

Bought a whole column from the scrap yard today for $50, gonna switch out the MFS. Ill let you all know if that works!

 

[1996BLKBauer]

I turn the knob, no autolamps for me. Should I still be able to hear a relay without the auto lamps?

Yes, you should hear the relay turn on when the switch is turned to the on position.

 

[eb13doc]

Got it! It was the switch on dash. Went to autozone, popped the old one out and put a new one in and they work like new. What a wonderful fix! Only bad part was the 25% restocking fee on the used column!