Headlight Problem Please Help

[03machstock]

Hey guys, new to the forum here. My 88 ranger has acquired a headlight issue where the headlights flicker on and off. It does this on high or low beams, and currently in the driveway they are choosing not to work. It happens to both headlights, and nothing else is effected. The parking lights, turn signals, dash lights, everything works while the headlights are flickering. I cant get it to do it all the time but its been getting worse. Its not the main headlight switch because i replaced it and it didn't change, so i put the stock one back in. Oh yea also, when it does it on high beams, the little blue high beam indicator goes out.
Electrical is my weak point so when you explain please elaborate even the simplest of things. Any and all help welcome!
Thanks,
Dan

 

[03machstock]

Also, about a year or 2 ago i accidentally hit a huge puddle and the lights dimmed for a second, but nothing ever came of it and i have not had any trouble until now. Not sure it that could have done something or not but figured id mention it.

 

[wr250rdr]

Sounds like a loose connector, or a chaffed wire. Pull the lamp and socket out look at the connectors, and then chase your wires back to the firewall and see what you find

 

[03machstock]

Ok thanks ill check it out.

 

[rtg143]

It also may be the headlight switch. There's a circuit breaker in the switch on some of the older models and they can do that.

 

[03machstock]

Went through all the connections and cleaned them up and put some dielectric grease on them, and traced the wires to the firewall and checked out the bundle the whole way and couldnt find anything. Also all the grounds along the way look ok and nothing helped when i wiggled at all these locations. I went for a quick drive and they came back on but still the flickering syndrome. Also, i already replaced the headlight switch with no luck, unless you are talking about that multi switch thing for the high/low beams, could it be that?

 

[rtg143]

When it's doing that, try operating the multi switch.

 

[03machstock]

When it's doing that, try operating the multi switch.

Ok ill give that a try tonight

 

[03machstock]

Update on this, when I went to replace the multi function switch, the connector that goes into it from the wiring harness was melted/warped in the bottom right. The bottom right wire when looking at it is burnt slightly on the covering of the wire. Any ideas? Where should I start looking now. It is not the multi function switch because same symptoms with the new one i installed. If you wiggle the bundle sometimes that works but not so much anymore. God I hope they stay on for the ride to work tomorrow morning haha. Help Please. Im a dummy when it comes to electrical.

 

[Mark_88]

The connector under the hood can appear to be good but check the individual wires closely...

Should be two for the headlights...and I think they are red/blue and red/black...but can't remember

If either low or high beams work properly then one of them is loose...


Also check the back connector on the pull out headlight switch...they are a PITA to get at but vibration could have caused it to back off the connection just enough to make it work some of the time...

 

[03machstock]

Thanks, ill let you know what i find.

 

[chicagodude]

Sorry for the double post.

 

[chicagodude]

"The bottom right wire when looking at it is burnt slightly on the covering of the wire"

You say that wire is burnt that plugs into the multifunction switch?

That could very well be where your problem lies. When you have a loose connection with significant current traveling through it, heat is usually a result. Heat will damage wire insulation, plastic connectors and metal terminals. Also the wire itself will be damaged over time. Heat-damaged wire usually looks either black, corroded or chalky-like.

Always disconnect the battery whenever you perform any electrical work. And make certain that your work is correct before re-connecting the battery. Electricity is very unforgiving to mistakes.

I would remove that wire from the connector and inspect it. If it looks damaged, a fix could be be to cut off the burned part along with the old terminal. And then splice a new wire with a new terminal onto the existing wire. And then plug everything back into proper position.

 

[03machstock]

"The bottom right wire when looking at it is burnt slightly on the covering of the wire"

You say that wire is burnt that plugs into the multifunction switch?

That could very well be where your problem lies. When you have a loose connection with significant current traveling through it, heat is usually a result. Heat will damage wire insulation, plastic connectors and metal terminals. Also the wire itself will be damaged over time. Heat-damaged wire usually looks either black, corroded or chalky-like.

Always disconnect the battery whenever you perform any electrical work. And make certain that your work is correct before re-connecting the battery. Electricity is very unforgiving to mistakes.

I would remove that wire from the connector and inspect it. If it looks damaged, a fix could be be to cut off the burned part along with the old terminal. And then splice a new wire with a new terminal onto the existing wire. And then plug everything back into proper position.

I ordered a new connector from napa but it doesnt get here until tuesday. The wire looks brownish where it goes into the back of the connector. So your saying it could be as simple as cutting that wire back a little bit, and splicing on the new connector?

 

[chicagodude]

Yes it is possible. If it's brown, it has been getting hot and may have compromised the connection.

I had this happen to my Ranger at the headlight switch on the dash. Two of the wires got hot and turned the white plastic plug connector brown and the lights would blink off and on intermittently after driving about 15 minutes.

I spliced the two wires, removed all the other wires, and then inserted the wires into a new white plug. The problem went away after that.