Headlight Switch Problem?

[packman]

My parking lights, tail lights, and dash lights went out again. Headlights work fine though. Last time I changed the fuse and the problem was fixed..........temporarily. The service manual says the headlight switch should be replaced. Is this true? Have any of you had this problem? Thanks

Can a moderator move this thread to its proper place in the 5.0 Section?


Packman

[sly]

Moved.

yeah, headlight switch controls the parking/dimming/and headlights. it tends to fry the headlights and parking connections.

[gadget73]

yep. pull the switch, verify the melted contact in the back corner, replace it and the headlight switch plug.

[VicCrownVic]

Yes very true.
If you pull the headlight switch out slowly you will often see the dash lights come on at some point while pulling. I ran mine until I could get a replacement for a while by partially pulling the switch until the lights came on. I've seen some of the pics of the melted terminals, luckily I haven't had any of that and only needed to replace the switch and clean up the connections.

Word of advice, and I do believe others have said the same: don't get a cheap POS switch, I've done that twice in the past year. They're half the price of the Motorcraft ones, but have not been worth it. I figured the first one went bad due to how I used it (hat over the auto sensor and lights on at all times), but the second is even worse. The first switch lasted about a year before it had the same problem, and I stopped running the lights all the time during the day but the second one only lasted about a week before having the opposite problem (tails and dash stay on at all times, have to pull the fuse when I park). The cheap switches don't line up right with trim, the last one the ring for auto headlights had no stop points so it would twist all the way around and never stop.

Either I need a good Motorcraft switch or get my lazy self up to my dad's place and try the spares that he has and see which ones are good and which are junk. I don't get up there very often though.

[GM_Guy]

Crispy brown area = parking light feed. It also crisps up a couple inches of wiring.

Alex.

[Mainemantom]

I am having the same problem now with my TC. It has a fried at the front connection. I have a spare head light switch in my spare parts however I guess I will have to replace the connector first.

[Mainemantom]

Does anyone have a part number and supplier for the connector ? Can't find it at Rockauto

[sly]

I have one from a early 80s Continental (before Town Car became it's own model) that's in good shape, but one of the two clips is busted off.

EDIT: just looked at the other clip... it's cracked. Pay me shipping and it gets to you in 2-3 days. ($6 after paypal fees)

[sly]

Part number is D3TB-11A648-AA

[sly]

maybe a better option: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Genuine-...-/171151403732

[GM_Guy]

Does anyone have a part number and supplier for the connector ? Can't find it at Rockauto

EC6 or S607. Under 20 bucks at Napa.
Rockauto under Electrical Connector -> Headlamp Switch Connector.
9 pin connector. You may need to remove unused terminals (just look in it, you'll see how they disengage).

Alex.

[Mainemantom]

Thanks all for the info. Bought one at CARQUEST today $11 before I looked here.

[sly]

good price.

[kodiak]

Might want to consider a headlight relay upgrade to take some stress off the switch and connector.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

[packman]

I already installed headlight relays. Too little too late though.


Packman