97 Taurus headlights not working help?

[ariesvamper]

1997 ford Taurus, Headlights not working. When this occurred I flipped the headlight switch back and forth and it clicked on. So I figured just a relay issue. But I can not find a head light relay? Is there one hiding somewhere. The fuse box under the hood has diagram of one except it’s just an empty hole. So I went ahead and replaced the light switch guessing maybe the relay is integrated there since I cant seem find it. Still does not work. Neither dim nor bright work. I check bulbs they are in good condition. Then I discovered flash my bright and that works (long as I hold the multi switch on the steering column. they will stay on. Soon as I let go there back to dead). Is it possible it could be that multi switch on the steering column? Compared to schematic the connection does run through that switch but I don’t see why dim is involved with that multi switch issue. I normally don’t use my bright but windshield controls are there also could it just be the cause of my dilemma. Any ideas or help be very grateful.

[michelq]

most likely the multi switch is bad
pull calumn cover and check to see if you have 12 volt at red/yel wire when turn the head light sw on
hope this help

[breachless]

Yep, I had the same problem: ended up going to a junkyard and pulling that whole piece (that has the turn signal, brights/dims, and hazards on it) out of another Taurus, paid $20 and swapped it in and it worked!

Only problem is I have a '98, and the closest match I could find was from a '96, which looked identical, and everything works but the switch to spray wiper fluid onto my windshield does NOT work... Doh! So now i have to go get one that matches the same year, but hey, only $20 so it's not too much of a loss. Anyone else out there that has this problem: I would try that first.

[65comet]

On my 98 Sable it was the high/low beam switch. I took the cover off the steering column and took out the switch assembly. I took the removed switch assembly to a clean work table. The switch assembly was then taken completely apart, paying careful attention to what went where. The contacts for the switch have springs behind them to force them to make contact. The contacts had heated up and melted the plastic around the springs, not letting them extend to exert pressure anymore. Thus, no lights. I took out the contacts and with a little persuasion, got the springs out. I then took a drill bit the size of the springs in a vise grip and redrilled the holes by hand. I stretched the springs back to their correct length. The contacts then got a cleaning with some 1500 grit sand paper. The tough part was putting the switch assembly back together again. Though it took a couple of tries, the assembly was complete in less than 15 more minutes. This is where paying attention to the disassembling was crucial. It has been working fine for the last year now, with the only cost being about an hour of my time. Tip, the key collar just pops off, I wasted a bit of time trying to figure out if there was a screw holding it on.

[firerider]

I am having the same problem on my 97'. Of course I found this forum after replacing the alternator and battery and headlight bulbs, and checking all of the fuses. lol Thanks for the information.
JCIII