Should this be backlit???

[Mikes95XLT]

The headlamp switch.... should it be backlit? Like the headlight picture, the parklight picture etc???

 

[Jason_25]

Yeah your bulbs burned out. It's kind of a pain to fix. Not really worth it but if you have the time go for it.

 

[mikefox]

In this thread Dead Link Removed I posted the part number for it. Like Jason_25 says, it is kind of a pain to get to. You have to pulled the radio bezel off, the lower dash pad and then the dash bezel for the speedo. I can do it myself now in less than 30 min give or take a few.

 

[Mikes95XLT]

Well I was just curious, I'm gonna do it when I put in my white faced gauges..... wondering how hard it was...

 

[tbomb]

yeah, mine are out too. i got my truck when it had only 7 miles on it brand new, and that damn switch has never lit up. i keep meaning to research how to do it, but that someone posted the link, ill just have to wait till it starts to get warm out to take it all apart.

 

[JasonF]

My rear wiper control light is out now in addition to the headlight pictures. I wonder how much longer til I lose something critical.

Jason

 

[redShift]

My gas guage is not backlit at all and the speedo from 0-40 is very dim. Also, the buttons on the right side of the radio controls (foglights, etc.) are all sans backlight.

 

[Mikes95XLT]

Yea between 50-70 is dim for me too. But with my white faced gauges it won't matter.... I'm going to replace any old bulbs when I take my dash off for that....

 

[Billabong02]

I have a 98 explorer that i just bought and the light switch does not light up. I didn't think that 95-98 had backlite controls for the lights. Maybe i am not thinking of the same thing you all are.

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by Billabong02
I have a 98 explorer that i just bought and the light switch does not light up. I didn't think that 95-98 had backlite controls for the lights. Maybe i am not thinking of the same thing you all are.

my moms 97 has them backlit, i think.

 

[Hartman]

My headlamp switch went out for about 1 week last year, then it came back on and has been working since.

 

[Robert]

All Explorers from at least '95 through the present should have a back light for the headlight switch. It screws in to the back of the switch. My '97 burnt out once so I had Ford replace it under warranty since according to them you can't just buy the bulb. I used that to argue then that the switch wasn't working as it was designed. The reluctantly agreed to replace it when I had it in for other service. A couple of years ago I noticed the light wasn't working again so when I removed my trim to paint it, I took a look at the switch. My bulb had fallen out and gone to some unknown place. I have a repalcement that I'll be putting in next week.

 

[Mikes95XLT]

Where'd ya get the replacement?

 

[Robert]

Fordpartsnetwork.com. The bulb I have is listed for the headlight backlight. I remember taking my original one out the first time it went out. When I coudln't find it at any of the automotive stores, I had Ford replace it under warranty. It's been a few years since I have seen the original bulb but the one I have seems like it might be a little too short. I won't know until I take it apart again. Since my current bulb is MIA, I don't have anything to compare it to anymore.

I just replaced my fog-light backlight and cruise control backlight yesterday. Someone posted the part numbers for the bulbs a while back so I just ordered an assortment. The only problem with my fog-light backlight is that it is more blue than the rest of my buttons now. Oh well, at least it lights up. I kept feeling like I was missing something.

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by Robert
The only problem with my fog-light backlight is that it is more blue than the rest of my buttons now.

you prolly got a bulb for a 96. the interior lights in 96's (and maybe 95's?) light up blue instead of green.

 

[Robert]

Yeah, I know I got one from a model year other than a '97. Unfortunately the part number was the only one I could find for the fog light back light. If it wasn't a tiny bit bigger than my original bulb, I would have just pulled the colored boot off and put it on the new one like I had to do to my cruise button light.

 

[Jason_25]

Yep the interior lights in 95's glow blue too. I got quite a suprise when I installed a factory headunit from a 2000

 

[Mikes95XLT]

Mine glow green..... I have a '95

 

[Robert]

Well if anyone has the green bulb but want's the blue one, I'm willing to trade.