Loss of lights in my 92' Ranger

[MeepCrow]

If I have my brights on for anywhere around five minutes to half an hour, all the lights in and on my rig will shut off for a little bit and then come back on. After it happens once it keeps happening over and over with at most five minutes between each loss of power. What is happening?

 

[tw205]

Does it ever happen on low beams?
All the lights or just headlights go out? Dash lights, turn signals, brakes?
Do you have to do anything to get them to come back on. Switch on and off? Switch back to low beams.
Headlights brake lights and parking lights are on a circuit that has power all the time. No key needed.

 

[Curious Hound]

Sounds like somebody installed a circuit breaker that is overloaded slightly and tripping, then resetting after it cools down.

But, check for loose wiring connections, both positive and negative connections and check the light switch to see if it’s starting to melt.

 

[2011Supercab]

A 92 should have the old style pull out type headlight switch.

Those have a built in circuit breaker.

You are either using to high of wattage bulbs or the switch is shot and needs replaced.

 

[MeepCrow]

Does it ever happen on low beams?
All the lights or just headlights go out? Dash lights, turn signals, brakes?
Do you have to do anything to get them to come back on. Switch on and off? Switch back to low beams.
Headlights brake lights and parking lights are on a circuit that has power all the time. No key needed.

It only happens on high beams and everything shuts off. Dash lights, turn signals, brakes, everything goes pitch black. They come back on after a couple seconds on their own and keep going out more often after the first time they go out. Nothing I do other than waiting gets them to turn back on.

 

[MeepCrow]

A 92 should have the old style pull out type headlight switch.

Those have a built in circuit breaker.

You are either using to high of wattage bulbs or the switch is shot and needs replaced.

It does it even with low wattage bulbs, is the switch easy to replace?

 

[SenorNoob]

I wouldn't call it easy because you have to kinda contortionist your way behind the dash. But, as long as nothing is melted, not too bad.

This video of an F150 does a pretty good job of showing the switch. The dash will obviously be different.

If you're so inclined, a headlight relay kit like this does a pretty good job taking the load off the switch. Might even save you the trouble if you're lucky. It has the side effect of making the old glass bulbs noticeably brighter too. Not sure how much difference it'd make on a 92...