Switch Illumination

[mick 1836]

Just a quickie question or two The side light/head light switch on my 1997 Explorer with it being European / British spec is as the steering wheel on the right hand side of the car. Should this switch be illuminated? I have pulled the round knob off and can see two very small round things are these bulbs? if so how can they be replaced ( not shown in either hand book or repair manual) and how do they come out ?
Thank you for any information you can give.

 

[CBoug76]

Mick,

I believe that you will find your answer in this Link:
Dead Link Removed

 

[tbomb]

well, i read the thread that chris posted, so i guess its a common problem, but i just wanna say that my headlight switch has never lit up. i dont think the headlight switch in my sisters 96 xlt or my moms 97 sport has ever lit up either; i just thought that they werent supossed to, heh.

 

[Alec]

my bulbs went out a few months ago. My girlfriend's still works though. Even though it's supposed to light up, I'm not messing with it. I don't think it's worth the hassle, my hand finds the switch just fine

 

[tbomb]

Originally posted by Alec
Even though it's supposed to light up, I'm not messing with it. I don't think it's worth the hassle, my hand finds the switch just fine

im leaving it alone too i can hear my mom and sister now...."now that you fixed yours, you can go fix mine", and thats all i need in 20 degree weather

 

[Hartman]

Mine has always lit up. About two months ago, it stopped lighting up, and knowing this was a common problem on Explorers, I just let it go. But, about 3 weeks later, the bulbs revived themselves and it has lit up ever since. A stoke of good luck I guess.

 

[mick 1836]

Thanks Chris and the other guys for the reply, yea I know it may be hassel but it drives me mad when something which should work doesn't. I also visited the thread that Chris suggested and I have made a copy for future ref, however no one has said how you get the bulbs out? do you have to remove the lighting switch (with the bulbs) from the back of the dashboard or can you unscrew them by pushing a small piece of plastic tube over the bulb to turn it ? as it is very small and a tight fit.
Once again thanks to you all for the advice

 

[CBoug76]

Yes you have to remove the lighting switch. IM not sure if the switch removes with the plastic dash or not. Either way you have to take the switch out. then once the switch is out, There should be a round "plug" with a slot in the center, this is the base of the light bulb. Use a small screwdriver and twist it, and it should pop out...

Again, the blub removes from the BACK, and there is only 1 bulb, not 2.

The Best way to get a replacement is from a salvage yard, but you may have to use a shorter bulb then what was in there Originally.(Mick, you may have a hard time finding a replacement either in a salvage yard, at a dealer or even by mail order.....