need HELP with headlights

[NYX]

heres the problem, theyve been basically dead since last week, both the headlights and the stock fogs, the light on the fog button doesnt even come on. as for the headlights they first started coming on only after a few minutes of driving or after playing with the headlight lever a little, now i cant get them to come on at all, the brights come on only if i hold the lever towards me without letting go and sometimes if i put them on. i did have a weird smell like it was coming from some wires but wasnt able to determine where it was coming from a while ago. anyone have an idea where to start looking? i could really use those headlights at night but i checked the connections near the headlamps themselves, i dont think the relay under the hood has anything to do, wouldnt a bad fuse kill all the lights? as for the switch that goes into the steering column is there any access to that? i dont know if i should pay a mechanic and get ripped off possibly or fix it myself, i would if i knew where the problem was

 

[Howard]

It does sound like the column switch is faulty. The fogs probably are only supposed to work with the headlights. So if they don't come on then neither will the fogs. Check all the fuses though. Get someone else to work the switch and see if any of the relays click. Can you test for power at the headlight sockets (where you plug in the bulb).

 

[CodePoet]

Sounds kinda like what happened to me about a year ago. My headlights wouldn't go on, after checking all the fuses (at night in sleet fun fun) I gave up and took it to the shop. They said that the headlight switch on X's go out a lot. They showed me the switch they pulled and the plastic molding around one of the pins was melted/scorched, that could explain the smell you described. I could get mine to go on too but only after wiggling the switch alot. I'd deffinitly check the your headlight switch. Hope that helps!

Later
CP

 

[NYX]

thanks, one thing though, are we talking about the switch on the left of the driver on the dash or the lever on the steering column? that was the one that at some point brought the lights back on when played with. i wonder how much that whole lever goes for for a 2nd gen ex

 

[Howard]

I still think it is the lever on the column. But it might be the main switch except for the wiggle test that you did.

 

['96explorereddiebauer]

I'm pretty sure it's the multifunction lever at the steering column. What Codepoet stated was for the 1st gen Explorers with a pulling type switch. The 2nd and 3rd gen Explorers have a twist knob headlamp switch.

 

[Sundoula]

I have the same problem when you press the fog light button you don't hear the click like you do from the defrost button lets say, that means the relay is shot right? How much will it cost?