multifunction switch?? (ive searched already)Please Help!!

[gottraction?]

Ok i have spent the last 2 days reading about this switch but no one that i could find had the same exact problem that i do. i have an 1998 Ford explorer sport.(automatic) It has the bottom console with nothing in it. it does have the clock and degrees up top. the low beams are not working at all. you have to pull the multifunction switch back to get the high beams. I have replaced this cluster about 10 times with other ones from the junkyard. when i did about 8 of them would make the low beams finally work but the wipers would run constantly. Regardless if i tried to cut them off or not. if i adjusted the wiper speed it would start running the window cleaner. i have heard the buzz from the left turn signal in most of those switches as well. ive replaced the relay. still no go. I don't see any wires pinched on the steering column. Is it possible that all of those switches i got from the junkyard bad? the only that (sort of) worked was one that would let the low beams cut on. but i could only use the wipers when the headlights where set on bright! The truck has no aftermarket wiring that i know off. I don't even think a brand new multifunction switch would fix this now!!!!what can i do so i can start driving this thing at night?? Thanks guys!

 

[RomeovilleIL]

Try buying a new one at a bigbox auto parts store like autozone & swap in the parking lot. If it doesnt work, walk back in and exchange. If you already have the clamshell off the swap will take less than 2 minutes. Most stores list the MFS as the dimmer switch, about $60.

 

[BrianDye]

Buy a new one...this is a part that goes bad on ALOT of 2nd gens, so chances are, every single one at a junkyard is toast.

 

[gottraction?]

Thanks i will pick one up this friday from advance auto. with discount its about $48.00 how do i know if my explorer is the e or the x model for the 4.0 liter? mine is the SOHC. will it say that letter at the beginning of the vin #?

 

[Dono]

You have the 'E'.

I have the OHV motor, and its the 'X'.

 

[russosborne]

Try buying a new one at a bigbox auto parts store like autozone & swap in the parking lot. If it doesnt work, walk back in and exchange. If you already have the clamshell off the swap will take less than 2 minutes. Most stores list the MFS as the dimmer switch, about $60.

Does this mean you do NOT need to pull the steering wheel for this?
This is something I need to do soon. It is all working so far, but every time I put the high beams on it feels like the handle is going to break off.
Thanks,
Russ

 

[bobflood]

Does this mean you do NOT need to pull the steering wheel for this?
This is something I need to do soon. It is all working so far, but every time I put the high beams on it feels like the handle is going to break off.
Thanks,
Russ

You do not have to pull the steering wheel. Hardest thing to get off is the tilt lever - it has to be unscrewed in order to remove the plastic clamshell and it is very tight! I ended up using visegrips to break it loose.

 

[russosborne]

Great news.
Thanks!
Russ