98 Escort headlight problem

[pixsurreal]

The headlights on my escort turn off when ever I use the brights (they don't come back on when I switch back to dim) and also when the turn signal disengages after I use it. They will flicker if I jiggle the turn signal lever after they go off, but I have to turn the switch off and on several times to get them to stay on. The brights do work if I pull back on the lever, so I know it's not just a matter of a bulb going out. I can hear an electronic clicking inside the column when the lights flicker on and off.

I know that I am going to have to fix something inside the column, but does anyone have any ideas what I should look for once I do that?

[KimMG]

Most likely the contacts in your turn signal switch are worn out. You probably will have to replace the switch.

[Cruize]

I hope you've fixed your headlight problem by now and I don't know if this applies to your situation or not but . . .

The high beams on my '92 GT didn't want to work when I pressed the high beam switch forward, but if I pulled back to flash the lights, the high beams would work. The low beams always worked. I took the steering wheel off and removed the switch cluster. I opened the high beam switch assembly and cleaned the contacts with alcohol and Q-tips. For some reason, the contacts for the high beams had accummulated dirt on them.

Once cleaned, I re-assembled the switch assembly, the switch cluster, and the steering wheel.

I probably did that 2 or 3 years ago and haven't had a headlight problem since. I think my local Ford dealer wanted over $200 for a new switch cluster and several junkyards wanted $35.