95 Ranger headlights freaking me out!

[sashasquash]

Hi all,
A few nights ago, I was driving on the highway and my headlights went out. I figured the safe thing to do was get off the road, so I pulled into the next exit lane, but as soon as I turned off my turn signal, the lights came back on! I turned on my left signal and got back onto the highway since I needed to get where I was going. A few minutes later, I turned on the left signal and the lights flickered off and on. My boyfriend thought it might be fuse related, but I checked the fuse diagram and the headlights are covered by two different fuses (clever!) so it can't be a fuse. What do you guys think? I'm hoping there's a switch I can replace myself, since I can't spend hundreds of dollars on a mechanic right now.

Thanks!

[toddler62]

This is more than likely in the turn signal low/highbeam switch in your steering column the unit will probably need to be replaced. have'nt done one myself so I can't give you an idea of how hard or how costly it would be.

[sashasquash]

OOH! You're probably right. It makes perfect sense. I'll check that out.

Thanks!

[griffus1985@sbcglo]

did that work

[crow88]

I am having a problem kind of like that. One day my headlights work and then the next day they stopped working but the high beams work fine and the fuses were all good as well any suggestions as to what might be wrong?

[lectraplayer]

It sounds like you have a bad connection somewhere, and it could easily be your multifunction switch (for the blinkers and headlights) wearing out. I had a car that I had to wire a separate switch for the headlights as the multifunction switch was worn out. Mine was, like, $80 to replace, and since the car was about to that point, I just wired them to a switch located nearby.

[DonSor]

Try some basic troubleshooting. In the safety of your home, try switching your head lights by themselves. Then turn left, right directionals. Then step on the breaks to test stop lights. Include backup lights and park lights. Did it make any difference when each of the circuits were turned on? If the healights go out when you turn your left directionals, remove the bulbs and try again. You should be able to narrow it down to a circuit or two. Also, a truck manual may help you with troubleshooting.

[crow88]

thanks for the help.It was the blinker/highbeam switch.

[rhandwor]

Some vehicles have a sensor that turns on the lights. These can go bad but the manual switch should still work. I checked the wiring diagram W/O DRL Fuse 11,main light switch,multifunction switch,Fues 33,Fuse 8,Fuse 4 Fog lamp fuse 15,fog lamp relay,fog lamp switch, Ground top center of left apron. Right side of fender compartment on upper apron. W/DRL Fuse 26,daytime running lamp module.

[yotermanic]

I don't want to preach, but I can't help it...Whenever you replace a Ranger or Explorer mutlifunction switch ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS inspect the connectors! These were horrible about losing tension and coming loose, which would cause them to arc and burn up the switch, then the mechanic comes along and finds a bad switch and replaces it...guess what happens two years later? Many times, just replacing the connector and not the switch will fix the problem.