Broken Headlight switch....need help

[sparty116]

So I went to turn my headlights off the other day, which went fine other than the fact that my headlights stayed on. Only my headlights stayed on, not the running lights, rear lights, or interior dash lights, just the low beam head lights. After playing with the switch for like a half hour, I finally got the lights off. I don't want to turn them back on because they might not go off and I will have to disconnect the battery and reset the computer.

Since I'm 6'7" 250 lbs, I think I may have "bumped" the switch with my knee getting in or out, but definately not hard as I pay careful attention. Am I going to have to tear the entire dash off to replace the switch, or is the problem not with the switch, but with some other electrical component. I really don't want to take the dash apart if I don't have to. Any help would be appreciated. BTW, it's on a '96 GTS

 

[Ulysses]

could be the switch or the relay. Neither require yo to tear the dash apart.

 

[99 R/T 10]

I have been told (by the wizard) that the headlight switch is a common problem area where the switch itself, over time, will overheat and fail. I had to replace mine after it exibited symptoms that you are describing. Call him tomorrow, 914-763-3136

 

[GR8_ASP]

Figures, isn't the switch a standard Ford part?

 

[Jack B]

It says Ford on the back of the switch. It comes right out, the secret is using a nail or paper clip to to push out the pin holding the external knob. Buy is from Tatar, it isn't that bad.

 

[sparty116]

So I can replace the switch w/o taking the dash off?

 

[Kiaser]

My light switch (Gen I) was giving similar problems. All lights would work but at times driving at night the headlights would flicker on and off. I bought the replacement headlight switch (ford part) and started to replace the switch (there's no pinhole on mine, there's a button on top of the switch you can press). When I got the old switch off I saw that one of the fins were completely melted off! I then took a look at the module the switch snaps into and saw the plastic around where the fins fit into was melted and warped... Talk about overheating!

 

[Qualitywires.com]

You should be able to take the switch out without pulling the dash...to be honest with you...pulling off the dash isn't as hard as it may sound...I could take mine off in about 10 minutes.

Yes the Gen1 light switches do overheat alot. I had to replace mine twice on my 1994.