I'm confused

[allmine!]

So I got my car back last week after it had been in the shop for a long time for minor repairs, once of which required them to replace the seat memory switch. When they did this at first they shorted out the seat switch and had to put in another one. So when I started the car up in my garage the same day I got it back, I noticed that the 3 headlight switch lights were on even though the headlights weren't on, the lights have stayed on nonstop, even during the day. So I took the car back in today and just got a call from them and they said that the headlight switch should always be on, I assumed they were wrong considering I have never noticed this before during 7 years of ownership.

So after a search on here it seems as though this is true, but I just want confirmation for my model. Should the headlight switch lights be on all the time for a 1996 Limited Explorer? If it is supposed to be on all the time, I guess the bulbs burned out soon after I got the car and have just now decided to come on again. Oh well…….

hint

 

[Howard]

I can't answer for all years but my 1998 sohc has the headlight switch illuminated all the time too. I think that you are right about the lamp burning out. I think you should thank the garage for changing the lamp without you asking and getting it working for you. It is not an easy job to do as you have to drop the dash out to get to it.

 

[section525]

Ha. I think mine used to come on. That way you can see where the headlights are when you get into the car. That way you can light up the rest of the rig.

So, yes, I think they should come on whenever your dome light comes on. Hows that?

 

[allmine!]

Thanx for replying guys.

Howard, I seriously doubt the shop changed the bulbs, for one they surely would have mentioned it when I first complained about the lights and I highly doubt they would go to the trouble of taking the dash out without telling me first, since labor costs would surely be involved and when it comes to money they get all they can get. I just think that the "stay lit" feature of the switch kicked into action by the grace of god when I got my car back purely to let me make a fool out of myself to the Ford people.

The thing is that the switch lights have always come on when I have had the headlights ON, along with the other dash lights, so the bulbs weren't the problem to begin with. Trust me, several of my other dash lights have stopped working completely.

Section, I think we are kinda on the right page, but I was getting to the fact that the switch lights stay on all the time, while parked, in movement, etc., regardless of the headlights being on or off.

I'm just gonna assume that this is indeed a feature of my car and that some weird electrical problems are at fault.

hint

I’m not religious, but I feel so moved, I’m not religious, but you make me wanna pray….

 

[gavin]

my headlight switch light does not turn on unless I turn atleast my parking lights on. So, no, I will agree that it's just a "grace of God" in your words. All my dash lights light up fine (except for the heater switch light) when the parking lights are turned on, but none come on when I start my truck.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

My switch is on at all times. It's at full brightness without the lights on then dims according to the dimmer when the lights are on.