help headlight problem

[lmorriss]

I have a96 explorer limited and the headlights won't go out. tried all the switches and even pulled the circuit breakers. Would appreciate any guidance.tried searching archives but no luck so far.

thanks
Larry

 

[Dono]

Is it possible its the daylight running light module? I removed mine after going thru two of them. Its located under the front bumper (At least on my 2000 it was).

Anyone?

 

[lmorriss]

still looking.new sympton now also a repeating clicking sound like a relay trying to find it.some where behind center console.

 

[budwich]

as suggested / requested... more info about your truck... do you have daylight running lights, do you have autolamps? In general, "non-optioned" lighting has NO relays directly associated with the lighting. Your statement "tried all the switches and even pulled the circuit breakers" is "funny"... does that mean even when you pulled the "appropriate" fuse, the lights remained on???? what fuse were you pulling?

 

[lmorriss]

yes it has auto lights ,no it does not have laylight on lights, and the the fuses pulled were left headlight and right head light and also tried maxi fuse for headlamp relay. only way to shut off headlight is disconnect battery cable.

 

[budwich]

ok...for auto lamps, there is an headlamp relay. Of course, it would help to know the fuse numbers that you were "playing" with. IF they had no effect, it is likely that you have the wrong ones.... maybe.

PS... of course you don't have a LOM module, right?

 

[RomeovilleIL]

It sounds very much like a bad autolamp. There is a very simple test! - unplug the connector wire from the back of the rear view mirror. If the clicking and constant on goes away then you have isolated the issue. From there you can either leave it unplugged or work to narrow the problem to either the switch itself (replace mirror and switch as a unit) or the daylight sensor which feeds into the system or a broken/shorted/water damaged wire somewhere in between.

 

[bobflood]

It sounds very much like a bad autolamp. There is a very simple test! - unplug the connector wire from the back of the rear view mirror. If the clicking and constant on goes away then you have isolated the issue. From there you can either leave it unplugged or work to narrow the problem to either the switch itself (replace mirror and switch as a unit) or the daylight sensor which feeds into the system or a broken/shorted/water damaged wire somewhere in between.

+1 on this.

 

[budwich]

yes the autolamps controller could be bad BUT if he pulled the fuses and still has lights, he has another problem.

 

[lmorriss]

fuses pulled were#4&#8 which by the owners manual was head lamps the maxi fuse was for headlamp relay according to the manual. I will try to unplug the mirror let you know what happens.

thanks for the input
Larry

 

[budwich]

ok... I assume you pulled them (4&8) from the interior and the max from the engine compartment... right? You didn't confirm/answer about the LOM. Another question, your autolamps were "original equipment" and not added afterward as some have done on this forum... right?

 

[lmorriss]

fuse info is correct,everything is original equip.found a module behind glove box on top of heat/ac plenum unplugged that and it stopped the clicking however the lights still on. the mirror connection was unplugged also. lights still on I don't know for sure but don't ever remember seeing lights on durring daylight, always auto on at dusk or even heavy shade. So still looking

 

[budwich]

how long have you owned the truck??? Probably a dump question but which lights are on, lows or highs??? and how do you know?

 

[lmorriss]

Have owned the vehicle about 8 or 9 years.Not sure which lights are on but think low beams changed to high as I was playing with switches.also found fuse #33 manual said high beam headlights pulled them all and still had lights on.I just got a wiring diagram so am trying to figure that out.

 

[lmorriss]

Well I'm back at it,had to work this weekend.From the wiring diagrams I found a fog lamp fuse in the power distribution block under hood #15.ha it shut off the lights however the clicking is still there on the heater a/c plenum and don't have high beams.
Question does anyone know where fog lamp relay is located? hope i have given necessary info.

 

[budwich]

its at the front fender, right side, by the air filter. Your "saga" is getting "stranger". Dump question, have you checked your headlight switch? Of course that's pretty dumb... ok don't bother, just go and fix your DRL's that you don't have... that's your problem.

 

[lmorriss]

sorry I dont have the drl's, but thanks for the location.

 

[lmorriss]

well still at it,put in new relay for fog lights but now fog lights don't work . headlights are out but when you turn on headlights by switch and use dimmer switch all you have is low beams or out. I really don't think I have daylight running lights but at this point I not sure whats up. I unplugged the lamp out warning module and headlights are on as long as the fuse for fog lamps is in. removed it and went out later and the interior lights are on they were off before it started getting dark.??

 

[lmorriss]

brought lom inside and opened up and no obvious defects.? my wiring diagram shows 4 wires but the module has sixteen pins and as many wires connected. module is labled lamp outage module.Headlamp, dimmer,and park lamp relays are located in relay module located behind center of wp.does anyone know where that is?

 

[budwich]

I think you mean "ip" not "wp"... it stands for instrument panel as in dash board... basically behind the radio area. You certainly are having a "fun journey".