HELP!! My headlights have gone crazy

[drw18]

I drive a 97 explorer. Recently my headlights have been acting up. I'll be driving along at night with the lights on and then all of a sudden they will just shut off. When i click the switch back and forth they sometimes come back on!!>!?! I've heard this is a major problem in Explorers. Does anyone know about this?

Thanks,
David

 

[Alec]

I'm thinking it's either your headlight switch or multifunction (turn signal stalk) switch.

Either that or a bad connection somewhere else in the headlight system. However, each side is pretty much separate except for the switches.

 

[Howard]

Check the obvious first. Are the bulbs ok. It could be that simple they do both go out at the sametime quite often (same number of hours use). Start simple before asuming the worst.

 

[aldive]

Check the bulbe sockets for corrosion too.

 

[drw18]

The bulbs are fine. I just replaced them two weeks ago. Sometimes when I press the "turning signal indicator" switch forward and backwards a few times the brights will eventually flicker and then the headlightw will come on. It could be a problem in either switch. I would be shocked if it was the wiring to the headlights.

thanks for the advice

 

[Alec]

I'm thinking multifunction switch.

 

[Howard]

I'll second that. If they come on when you move the switch. Sounds good to me.

 

[xlt-sport]

you may have a short in your fuse box.

check for that too. i had a short in my '98, almost set my truck on fire.

peter

 

[Blue Steel]

definately sounds like a connection's not being made somewhere. with mine, the gem module was messed up, and i was driving back home and all the lights just cut off. thank goodness for my offroad lights to get me home. not fun driving on the highway with nothing.