97 ford escort lx headlights stopped working

[christopher1169]

ok..im new to this but i have a 97 ford escort lx and i replaced the alternator last week with a used alternator ...after a road trip my battery which was old anyway overcharged and started smoking as i was going down the highway then after stopping i replaced the battery and everything will work except for the headlights and the front parking lights,the interior lights,tail lights,brake lights all work everything but the front lights. I also replaced the headlight fuse in the box next to the battery and checked my fuses under the dash and none of them are blown or even labeled headlights so i need help..... Can anyone help me with this??...I would greatly appreciate it...Thank You

[Arnoldtheskier]

My guess is that a ground was not properly put back on when the alternator was changed(seen that) OR the used alternator was overcharging(seen that)..maybe because of the ground. This toasted up the battery and the lights(seen that)..next weakest link in the system..that draw the most current either burned out because ot this(seen that ) or the ground in the lighting circuit took the excess current(heat) and toasted up. (seen that) Also..running the car with a toasted up battery can cause problems too(seen that)

With known good fuses in the headlight circuit you need to get one of those type of testers/test lights that pierce the wire..or use a needle.,you can also very carefully strip a bit of the insulation with a knife)and TAKE OUT THE HEADLIGHT BULBS, and then ground the other lead. Test lamp lights or tester shows voltage..find and fix the ground. Test lamp does not light?.no voltage?. Trace the power from either side of the headlight fuse. Go back or forth till you find power and the work the other way towards the lights. If you have a manual..follow the wiring diagram

[christopher1169]

Thanks a million....That is the most detailed best answer that i think i can get....You the man!!!

[Arnoldtheskier]

Glad to help ya out. 1 more thing..lol..maybe the most important and easiset thing to do haha..I forgot. . There have been many posts about ground wires/problems on these cars..different ones. Could be that the battery just went..or the old alternator..and when the new alternator or the battery went in..there was a momentary surge..and one of these weak ground areas let go. Make sure all the grounds are good. I would turn the headlghts on..get a piece of wire that can handle the 20 amps or so from the headlights. Just a fairly good piece of wire. Make sure this is well grounded..block,battery etc. Bare the other end and find other ground spots/wires and touch them if the headlights come on..there is the problem

[AzTumbleweed]

Could also be a burned out headlight relay. With the engine off (for quiet) turn your headlight switch on. You should hear a click when the parking lights turn on and another click for the headlights.