Headlights

[PapaMurph3218]

89 Bronco 2. My headlights worked maybe a month ago when I tested them. I haven’t been driving it since I’m still fixing some other issues so the bronco has been in the garage I went to go check my lights and they aren’t working. My dash lights light up but my headlights and lights in the black don’t come on. I’m not mechanical knowledge with electrical work so if anyone can help me it would be appreciated.

 

[RonD]

Do Brake lights and turn signals still work?

Dash lights and Park lights(tail lights) share same fuse and both get power(12v) from the main headlight switch
So do the front Park lights work?


The multi-function switch(turn signal stalk) gets headlight 12v from the Main headlight switch when its on, then sends it out to the headlight bulbs, low or high beams
But no connection to rear park lights(tail light)

Headlight 12volt comes from a Fusible link in the engine bay, hooked to Positive Battery post on the Starter relay(solenoid), it runs to the Main headlight switch in the dash

Main headlight switch has several wires and switches inside, not just one off/on switch, so it is possible for it to turn on some lights but not all lights if its broken

 

[PapaMurph3218]

Do Brake lights and turn signals still work?

Dash lights and Park lights(tail lights) share same fuse and both get power(12v) from the main headlight switch
So do the front Park lights work?


The multi-function switch(turn signal stalk) gets headlight 12v from the Main headlight switch when its on, then sends it out to the headlight bulbs, low or high beams
But no connection to rear park lights(tail light)

Headlight 12volt comes from a Fusible link in the engine bay, hooked to Positive Battery post on the Starter relay(solenoid), it runs to the Main headlight switch in the dash

Main headlight switch has several wires and switches inside, not just one off/on switch, so it is possible for it to turn on some lights but not all lights if its broken

Yeah the turn signals and brake lights still work. So does that mean the main headlight switch is bad?

 

[RobbieD]

It can be either the main headlight or the multifunction switch. Easy enough to test for which one is bad before replacing parts.

It's a little easier to get to the multifunction switch, where the Red/Yellow wire from the headlight switch can be checked for +12 volts with the headlight switch on, no volts when headlight switch off. Removing two Phillips screws from the bottom lets you separate the column covers, and you might have to take off the dash knee panel under the column to get them completely off, to access the multifunction switch.

If the Red/Yellow wire going in to the multifunction switch doesn't show +12 volts with the headlight on, then you can check or replace the headlight switch. Red/Black wire will be low beams and Pink wire high beam will be the wires going out of the multifunction switch to the lights.

I've had more multifunction switches fail than headlight switches, so you should look at it anyway for loose connectors, or brown or melted connectors at the switch (fairly common). Same applies to the headlight switch if the troubleshooting leads you there.

 

[RonD]

But multi-function switch won't effect dash lights or tail lights(park lights)

 

[RobbieD]

But multi-function switch won't effect dash lights or tail lights(park lights)

This is true, but the several I had fail were in the headlight part of the multifunction switch operation. Flipping the hi/lo beam at night and suddenly having no headlights can induce a major pucker attack.

It's just a good idea, I think, to at least check the multifunction switch, as it's easier to get to, and the headlight main switch output can also be checked there.

 

[SenorNoob]

Every one of the pull out switches I've seen have trouble fell apart... Usually after getting hot enough to melt things. Dunno if that says anything about the design or just my luck.