Headlights don't work! Only high beams??

[Blue-By-U]

Guys...this is by far the strangest this I have EVER encountered with my SHO. Here are the symptoms:

1. When I turn my lights on, only interior dash lights light up...no fog lights, no headlights, no side markers.
2. When I drive at night I have to pull my lever for the high beams towards me and stick a pin in it to keep it from going back to the normal headlight beam position. (fog lamps don't go on when high beams are on) I can't just push the lever forward to normally lock it into place for highbeams since they don't work, they only work when I pull the lever back.
3. My side marker is gone bc of my fender damage and there is no bulb in it.
4. I need to replace my header panel also since it is cracked and my front bumper cover sags a tiny bit on the sides.
5. As soon as my fender got hit, it said 1 lamp is out for a while even when it wasn't and now nothing works, not even my fogs.

Could there have been electrical damage when my fender was hit? Any suggestions? Would the missing side marker bulb missing cause the rest of my lights to not work?
Help!!!
~Alex

 

[Blue-By-U]

BTW
I have a new header panel, front bumper cover, headlights, bulbs, and new side markers waiting to go on the car.

 

[steevil]

Have you checked the fuses?

I suspect that one of the wires was either broken or is grounding out on some sharp metal after the accident.

wouldn't be too hard to track down, you've got six sources to check:

Wire leading to the headlights (l and r)
wires leading to the outer marker lamp (l and r)
Wires leading to the inner marker (l and f)

Check all the wiring particularly around the accident damage sites. Replacing the fuse would be a waste if the problem still exists.

All of this may also be your multi-malfunction switch going as well.

 

[Ishodu]

I would put my money on the headlamp switch.

 

[Blue-By-U]

I'll definitely check everything u guys said...but you really think I should replace my headlight switch...or should i say multi-malfunction?

Thanks
~Alex

 

[Mr Anonymous]

I would guess the MFS or a relay.

 

[Blue-By-U]

What's the MFS?

 

[LaTechSHO]

MFS is the multifunction switch.....

i'd be willing to bet on the headlight switch though...

its happened to me on a coupla fords....

pull your headlight switch out..... open it up and look at the contacts.... i'd imagine you'll find some black where there should be copper....

then go spend the few bucks and get a new one...

Louis

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

LL-Cool-A:
What's the MFS?

Multi-Function Switch...

think wiper/turn signal switch. That is your MFS wink

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

lb-sho:
i'd be willing to bet on the headlight switch though...

its happened to me on a coupla fords....

pull your headlight switch out..... open it up and look at the contacts.... i'd imagine you'll find some black where there should be copper....

My money is on the MFS... boink

The headlamp switch utilizes a relay so the switch carries a very small load. The MFS, however has the entire headlamp current flowing through it.

(just feel your steering column above the MFS after the headlamps have been on for a few hours...it should be a bit warm)

 

[qiksho]

This happened on my 89 SHO. The connector going to my MFS was burnt crispy and shorting out...which in turn fried my MFS. I got a new conector and MFS..(spendy from ford like $90). All was good after that. IT was exactly the same I only had brights pulling the lever all the way back...what a PITA

 

[Blue-By-U]

Alright guys good deal. Where can I get a new MFS other than Ford and for how much? Also, is it that hard to replace?

Before I do this of course I will take it off to see if there is damage.

Thanks!
~Alex

 

[SHOZ123]

At about any auto parts store.

 

[underdog1924]

Yea...sounds like the multi-function switch to me. I had the same problem. I replaced the MFS and headlight switch at the same time just to be safe. I got my parts from Ford Parts Network. I think the MFS was $35. It's pretty easy to switch them out. Just take the plastic cover off the steering column and unscrew the MFS. The hardest part is taking out the ignition to take the top plastic part off.