F-250 Headlights/Wipers
Standish
11-10-2004, 11:56 AM
I've been having intermittent problems with headlights and wiper controls on my '94 F-250. The wiper problem mostly involves the lower delay speeds not working, except the wipers stopped once during the wash cycle, and they sometimes work on the lowest delay setting, etc.
The other day, the headlights couldn't be set on low beam, but worked on high beam, with a little flash of low beam as the turn signal arm was moved back and forth.
A guy told me that the headlights are operated between high and low by a switch on the lower part of the steering column that is actuated by a rod pushed by the turn signal arm. In trying to find the rod and switch, I was moving the arm trying to find movement, but didn't see what he was talking about. The low beams started working during that exercise.
My question is whether the lights actually are operated by a rod between the turn signal and a switch near the floor, or if they are operated by the multi-purpose switch in the column. Second question is whether it sound like replacing the column switch would fix the problem.
I had this vehicle to an auto electric place for the wiper problem, and $100 later they told me they thought it was the delay switch under the dash at the glove compartment ($250), so I decided to live without the delay, but now the headlight thing makes me think it's not the delay switch.
Help?????
The other day, the headlights couldn't be set on low beam, but worked on high beam, with a little flash of low beam as the turn signal arm was moved back and forth.
A guy told me that the headlights are operated between high and low by a switch on the lower part of the steering column that is actuated by a rod pushed by the turn signal arm. In trying to find the rod and switch, I was moving the arm trying to find movement, but didn't see what he was talking about. The low beams started working during that exercise.
My question is whether the lights actually are operated by a rod between the turn signal and a switch near the floor, or if they are operated by the multi-purpose switch in the column. Second question is whether it sound like replacing the column switch would fix the problem.
I had this vehicle to an auto electric place for the wiper problem, and $100 later they told me they thought it was the delay switch under the dash at the glove compartment ($250), so I decided to live without the delay, but now the headlight thing makes me think it's not the delay switch.
Help?????
ModMech
11-10-2004, 01:13 PM
That is classic "MFS" failure (Multi Function Switch). Replacement is relatively easy, and the part is not expensive. If you *can* change your own oil, you can replace the MFS without any trouble.
Standish
11-10-2004, 01:34 PM
That is what I suspected, but was leary after being told otherwise by people whose business is to work on this stuff. The switch is 65.88 at the local NAPA store, and it looks like a guy could just take the screws out of the bottom of the cowling on the steering column, remove the cowling, and replace the switch. The one at NAPA looked as though it is probably held in place by only two screws or bolts. I suppose a guy should disconnect the + battery cable before starting. I haven't been busting my knuckles since vehicles don't make sense when I look under the hood, so any suggestions are welcome.
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