95 SHO Headlight issues

[khanartist]

Ok so my headlights are not functioning properly.

By the switch, I get no instrument lights, no parking lights, but the headlights by themselves come on.

By the autolamp, everything works fine.

I have replaced the switch once before. I am thinking the pigtail? Anyone have a similar problem?

TIA

 

[Mike Gallion]

Melted connector

I've run into several of these vehicles of this vintage with heavily damaged headlamp switch connector damage. Seems Ford engineering has struck again with a potential fire hazard.... One of the cars had only intermittant digital clock issues while the other had multiple lighting issues. Might be worth checking out.

 

[SHOZ123]

Get an APC headlight harness form Summit Racing for about $45 delivered and take the load off the switch.

Actually Jegs has the same thing for $15 less when shipping is considered.

 

[guse1096]

There is a recall out for this sort of thing. I dont know if it applys to your vehicle but I advise you to check it out.

 

[ilikepoultry]

The recall is only for ATX... he's got MTX

 

[khanartist]

Thanks for the input guys. Yeah I think its gonna be the pigtail on the switch, I *think* it was damaged before and thats why I changed out the switch. Luckily most of the boneyards around here have lots of SLOs on hand, so getting one is no biggie.

On a side note, how would a headlight recall only apply to ATX?

 

[SHOZ123]

The recall is only for ATX... he's got MTX

Actually the recall is for.....

SAFETY RECALL 98S01
1993 and 1994 Taurus, Sable, Mark VIII, and Continental Headlamp Switch

All 1993 and 1994 Taurus, Sable, Mark VIII and Continental vehicles produced from December 1, 1992 through September 30, 1993.

REASONS FOR RECALL

Over time some headlamp switches in the affected vehicles may develop excessive electrical resistance as a result of inadequate swage between the bimetallic strip and the copper contact. The excessive electrical resistance may generate heat inside the switch causing the circuit breaker to cycle resulting in the headlamps flickering.

SERVICE ACTION

The owners will be requested to return the vehicle to their dealers to have the headlamp switch connectors inspected and headlamp switches replaced. Headlamp switch connectors will be replaced if they show signs of heat damage. On all affected vehicles equipped with Autolamp, the B3 terminal in the headlamp switch connector will be replaced.

QUESTIONS?

Claims Information: 1-800-423-8851
Other Recall Questions: 1-800-325-5621

 

[SHOtimer]

This same thing happened to me awhile ago with my '95 ATX. I replaced the switch and the pigtail - the connector between the two was all melted to pieces because it had gotten so hot. The new pigtail was constructed much better than the old one.

Doug

 

[khanartist]

Found the TSB and ordered the parts, we'll see what comes in....

 

[zak]

Can you post the part numbers - thanks -zak, 95 MTX

 

[SHOZ123]

Inspect headlamp switch electrical connector for heat damage. If the electrical connector exhibits obvious heat damage, it must be replaced. Obtain harness kit part # F8DZ-11654-EA for non-autolamp and F8DZ-11654-DA for Taurus cars with autolamp and install harness connector according to the instructions on Page 15 for autolamp and Page 17 for non-autolamp cars of this attachment. If the electrical connector does not exhibit obvious heat damage, proceed to next step.

NOTE: Perform the following step only if the headlamp switch electrical connector is not damaged.

On vehicle equipped with auto lamp option, remove terminal B3 from the headlamp switch electrical connector. See Figure 8. Cut terminal end off wire 13 mm (1/2 inch) from connector. Splice on new wire with correct terminal end obtained from switch + B3 kit, F8DZ-11654-FA. Install terminal into B3 terminal slot of connector.

 

[firstgen89sho]

ok, what is the difference between autolamped and non autolamped headlight switches? as in my 90, I installed an autolamps harness into the car, which it had no autlamps, just unplugged the connector below the headlight switch and connected the harness, it worked perfectly?

 

[khanartist]

I ordered TSB kit #F7DZ-11654-BA for autolamp vehicles.

$29 Should be the switch and the connector.