Headlights stuck on

[MaverickDaKid]

Hello everyone,

It's been a while since I've posted on this forum.

I'm hoping someone can help me with this problem that just started recently. I went out for a drive to the local Alberto's for a cali burrito then I turned off my truck and went in. While I was sitting inside I noticed that my lights were still on, so I walked to the truck to make sure I didn't leave the light switch on. As it should have been it was off, the E brake was also down and the keys were in my pocket. Yet the light stay on. I also noticed that the High Beam signal on the dash is lit up. Nothing else but that warning light was on. When I turn the lights on the High beam light disapears and the lights go on. My fog lights work as well when I turn the lighting on. After there I drove home and D/C the battery. That seems to be the only way to turn off the lights.

I'm hoping someone can help me out here because I really need to have this truck working by Monday for work I really don't like using the MR2 in the winter time.

 

[mcpherson]

Maybe a stuck relay, take a look at your manual to locate you headlight relay. When you remove it, you should hear it click and your headlight should turn off. If you have a spare, try testing it with a working one. If you don't have a spare and are comfortable with it, you can remove a relay from somewhere else off your vehicle to temporally test it. Also could have a bad headlight switch. The GEM unit I think also controls the headlight, any one else sure of this?

 

[Tbars4]

...i x2 on the relay....
...i know you didn't mention it but i take it you are talking about the 96 X...
the gem module also controls the lights and has a built in timer that after 40 mins. or so, shuts off all lights to save the battery....good luck...

 

[budwich]

not knowing which truck you have problem with.... the best guess is your DRL module is fubarred.... just pull the connector and all will be well.... of course, you won't have DRL's any more... but just turn on your lights yourself.

 

[carguy101]

i know i had a similar problem with my 98 so i dunno if this will help you at all. on my rearview mirror there is a slider for the lights to stay on for a certain amount of time and i slid it all the way to the left and the problem was fixed.

 

[fawks]

Hey, the same thing happened to my 98 explorer except the first time it happened my wife just let the battery drain until I got home. If I remember correctly they had to change the Daytime Running Light module or relay. I remember having to disconnect the battery for about a week before I was able to get it to my mechanic.

 

[MaverickDaKid]

Thanks

Thank you everyone for responding to my message.

I was talking about the 96 XLT. Sorry about not putting that in the original message, and yes I do have DRL.

Welp what I did was I pulled the DRL module and the lights no longer stay on when I turn off the truck. So I guess its a faulty module. And unfortunatly I don't have the auto dim feature on my rear view mirror.

Thanks guys for all your help

 

[martin123]

Same problem, I know if I pull the DRL in Canada I am not running the vehicle up to the safety laws. But until I can find one, is this safe for the vehicle or can it damage over components if I just disconnect it?

 

[TheJackal]

No, you won't damage anything by unplugging the DRL module.

 

[martin123]

Thanks, Also what would you advise a new DRL from ford at $150.00. A used one from the scrape yard but no way to no for sure it works, but probably very cheap. Or after market for about $50 - 70 but have to cut the wires and re-solder.

 

[TheJackal]

Personally I would go with a new plug-in module from Ford. If the price is tough to take, a junkyard one will probably work just fine. Some people get them pretty cheap there, so it may be worth snagging two, just to keep one as a backup. If you're in Canada you could probably find and pull one with ease.

I'd consider a universal aftermarket kit as an option of last resort. It's a lot easier to use the plug-and-play module, and you don't have to worry about hacking up wires, taking the dash apart, resistance issues years later, etc... I had to do it because my Explorer didn't come with a DRL connector.

 

[martin123]

Thanks jackal. Only $10 at the junkyard. Did not get it off an Explorer but a ford car. Noticed most of the cars had the same DRL. Only problem all are in the most awkward place to pull out. Only grabbed one this time because someone already removed the bumper, if I see another one will grab a backup for sure.