How to: Replace Headlight Switch Bulb

[mjbach]

We replaced the dimmer switches on both of these Explorers in the last few days and the bad dimmers MAY have added to my confusion over the behavior of the headlamp light bulb.

We just checked it again on both Explorers which are dashlight problem free at the moment.

When you just turn the key on without starting it and without the headlamp switch turned on, the headlamp indicator light bulb comes on. If you start the engine, the head lamp indicator light bulb stays on at the same intensity as before. If you turn on the head lights, the indicator bulb dims down. Other indicators such as the O/D light on/off and 4WD on light dim down too (if their buttons have been pushed).

The Ford dealership told us that that dimmer switch wasn't involved in the weird instrument panel light problem that we were having. However replacing the dimmer switches on both vehicles fixed the problem on both vehicles. Our symptons were no radio control lights and inability to see O/D and 4WD lights with the headlights turned on.

Sorry if I have added to the confusion.

 

[Lee S.]

I don't think the dimmer switch is illuminated at least on my 98SOHC. When i replaced the bulb in my headlight switch it threw a little light over to the dimmer switch where a very very small amount of light came thru thru the slot in the dash where the dimmer wheel sits...hardly illumination but i think its all your gonna get. Unfortunately my headlight swicth bulb went out again so now it back to what I've been used to the most.....unlit.

Lee

 

[Lee S.]

Replaced my headlight switch bulb today with a green LED. Autozone sells a couple of different colored LED's (three in a package for $10) with a resistor already attached in the wiring. Had one left over from the LED in cupholder mod. Hopefully this install will last a lot longer than the bulbs which tend to burn out often. The color is not exactly the same green as the rest of the dash lights but it's pretty close and IMO more than good enough. Actually seems a bit brighter than the bulb.

So here's what I did in case anyone else wants to do it:

Disassembled the dash following instructions in this thread. Removed the headlight switch and removed the bulb from the switch. Took the switch apart, Fabbed up a seat for the LED by using the LED holder that came in the package and placing a very thin washer inside the switch which locked in the LED holder in the hole where the original bulb stuck out. I cut off the plastic tower part of the original bulb saving the bottom (socket) part so I could attach the wires from the LED to it.

Since I wanted to use the LED as is (with the resistor), I drilled a small hole in the side of the switch so I could run the LED wire and resistor outside of the switch (there is not enough room in the switch to stuff all the LED wiring). With a small amount of wiring and resistor secured on the outside I then ran the wires back in the same drilled hole cut them to length and attached them thru the holes (channels) in the bottom part of the original bulb that I had cut off from the tower. The leads from the LED should be wrapped around the bottom (socket) part the same way the original bulb wires were wrapped. Put the bottom part in the socket where it originally was and turn it to secure it and so the LED leads make contact with the switch bulb contacts. Reinstall the switch and put the dash back together and you're done.

Working as good or better than the original bulb. Hopefully I won't have to dissassemble the dash again anytime soon (at least not to replace another headlight switch bulb anyway).

Lee