rear lights

[asterwon]

i have a 92' Grand Marquis. my rear lights have seemed to shut off as well as my interior deck lights, although my headlights and brake lights still work. I checked the fuses and they all look fine. I have seen a couple of other Marquis around the way during night time with the same problem.

has any one had this problem or have a solution?

thanks

[BgDg3086]

Check your fuses again, but more carefully this time, even the ones under the hood. My car did that too when I put a radio in it. I couldn't even see how fast I was going. For me it was the #11 fuse; a 5 amp fuse

[ihatemycar]

Or you can do what I did and put a touch light on your dashboard!

Good God I hate my car.

[Scooting]

Originally Posted by BgDg3086

Check your fuses again, but more carefully this time, even the ones under the hood. My car did that too when I put a radio in it. I couldn't even see how fast I was going. For me it was the #11 fuse; a 5 amp fuse

I have a 1989 with a similar problem. Wher is the fuse under the hood?

[hootlikeamonkey]

Originally Posted by Scooting

I have a 1989 with a similar problem. Wher is the fuse under the hood?

I have a 1991 Mercury Grand Marquis and the tail lights, dash lights and side markers, plus those "limo" kinda lights between the doors went out last night. I checked the manual, and it clearly states the fuse to change (inside the car under the dash) which is #4 for the particular set of lights that are out. I checked fuse #4 which looked okay, but went ahead and changed it out with a known good fuse. The lights are still not working. Any other suggestions where to look for a problem?

[fredjacksonsan]

Try replacing the multifunction switch.

[hootlikeamonkey]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Try replacing the multifunction switch.

I talked to Mercury, and they charge $90 to check out and locate the problem. I'm just going to have them tell me for sure what it is. A multifunction switch costs almost as much, and it would be 50/50 whether or not it fixed the problem. Thank you.

[fredjacksonsan]

Hey, you're welcome....I'd be interested to hear what the problem was, if it's not the switch.

[Nee Nee]

If you have installed an aftermarket radio in the car you might be blowing your dimmer switch. The factory radio has a wire on the back of it that makes the display of the radio dim in accordance with your dash lights. It is an orange wire on the back of the wiring harness you bought to install it in the car, or a wire labeled for the dimmer of the aftermarket radio. If you disconnect that wire on the CD player, that should solve the problem. Just a suggestion.

[hootlikeamonkey]

Thanks for your reply. The radio is factory equipment. Still going to take the car to Mercury and have them diagnose it. Thanks again.

[goodysfinder]

Hi: I got the answer to your problem. Pull your headlight switch out gently about halfway or so. You may have to move it in or out gently untill your dash lights come on. Too far and your headlights will shut off. Not far enough and your dashlights and taillights will shut off. You have a faulty headlight switch. Just like mine. i had to remove mine and clean it with a contact cleaner that I picked up at Radio Shack. It lasted about a week. I repeated it a few times with the same result. Finally bit the bullit and got another one out of a junk yard. New ones I was quoted from $40.00 to $75.00 from and auto parts place. To install:
Remove the fake wood trim below the dash by prying gently. This exposes the hidden bolts. Look upward at the top of the instruntment panel and you will see the top bolts. The one behind the steering wheel will give you some problem. Short wrench needed here. Now examine the switch knob. There is a small notch on one side of the knob where it meets the shaft. You will have to use a very small screwdriver to push into the notch to move the hidden lever back in order to remove the knob. The delay knob just pulls off. Now remove the dash. (Note: you will have to start the engine, put your foot on the brake, and shift into low gear to get the gear shift lever out of the way.) Now the headlight switch is exposed. The rest is simple. Everything just plugs in.

[hootlikeamonkey]

Hi - GOODYSFINDER was right. It's the headlamp switch. Had it checked recently and that's what the mechanic found - and yes - switch costs $40 at Auto Zone. I asked him if the switch can just be lubed or spray some cleaner in it, and he said it's sealed and the contacts are probably worn out anyway. Thanks for your input everyone. And thanks for the repair advice GOODYSFINDER.

[hootlikeamonkey]

Hey all - an update. I'm the guy that bought the Auto Zone headlamp switch and installed in 91 Merc Grand Marquis. It only lasted about 4 months before it blew.

I finally bit the bullet and got an authorized dealership Ford part (discounted to $80, though dealers charge up to $140 for it).

My advice - get the good part. The $40 bucks I spent for the part at Auto Zone was a waste, especially since I paid a mechanic $65 to install the piece of junk part. Oh well...

Also - what's with the American engineering on this part...a 'headlamp switch'...yet it's the tail lights that blow when the switch goes bad. I'm glad I bought this car as a cheapie sled for work and back. I pity anyone that pays top dollar for these cars and have to deal with some of the idiot engineering Detroit puts into them.

Adios and happy sleddin' to ya

[Stevo2]

Originally Posted by hootlikeamonkey

Hey all - an update. I'm the guy that bought the Auto Zone headlamp switch and installed in 91 Merc Grand Marquis. It only lasted about 4 months before it blew.

I finally bit the bullet and got an authorized dealership Ford part (discounted to $80, though dealers charge up to $140 for it).

My advice - get the good part. The $40 bucks I spent for the part at Auto Zone was a waste, especially since I paid a mechanic $65 to install the piece of junk part. Oh well...

Also - what's with the American engineering on this part...a 'headlamp switch'...yet it's the tail lights that blow when the switch goes bad. I'm glad I bought this car as a cheapie sled for work and back. I pity anyone that pays top dollar for these cars and have to deal with some of the idiot engineering Detroit puts into them.

Adios and happy sleddin' to ya

Most of autozones electrical parts suck! Especially the Wells brand. Next time you need something better and cheaper try here or there.
http://directpartsconnection.com
www.rockauto.com

[Q-tan Man]

Yes Thank You!!!