Headlights

Cody_Goranson · 05-04-2004, 08:19 AM

I have a question for anyone that can help me
I have a 1988 mustang 5.0 gt the headlights flicke on and foo as if like they are on a timer. if i shut the lights off and turn the key off they well work for a little longer.

I was just wondering if it might be the switch in the cab??

Capri306 · 05-05-2004, 12:33 PM

Check in this order:

1. Ground connection at the headlights (the little eyelet screwed stupidly into the chassis with no regard for the effects of corrosion). Take them both off and polish them up, and cover with antiseize.

2. Headlight switch/socket for melting and/or overheating indications.

3. Bad battery --> engine --> chassis ground connections. Hell, just making sure these are okay can make the engine perform a little better...if you consider engine control has a lot to do with the EEC's measurement of sensor voltages, that is.

I don't remember if there's a headlight circuit breaker in the fuse box, but I do know there's fuseable links powering that circuit (coming off the battery side of the starter solenoid) that could also have bad connections. These bad connections could be enough to cause excessive current and could therefore be tripping a circuit/thermal breaker.

Something's wrong somewhere; find it before it catches on fire!

Fox Body · 05-05-2004, 03:21 PM

My headlights did that also and it was embarassing. It turned out to be the switch (the one that turns the headlights on and off-- together with the foglights-- not the switch that switches to high beams).

It's one of the easiest fixes I've ever done on a car. A new switch at Advanced Auto will cost about $15-20. All you do is pop out the old one (don't have to undo any screws at all, it just pops out the front-- carefully use a flat head screw driver) disconnect the wires, reconnect the new wires, and pop the new one in. Can be done in less than 10 minutes.

It fixed my problem and lights haven't flickered for about 6 months now.

Hope that helps. Later.

mustangII460 · 05-05-2004, 07:22 PM

Ditto on the switch.

joe4speed · 05-06-2004, 02:44 AM

If this happens with your driving lights on, than this happened with my '88 GT as well, I used a relay to solve the problem. It's been working flawlessly for many years now.
Here's a link to an older thread that describes how to wire the relay:
http://forums.mustangworks.com/showt...ight=headlight

05-04-2004, 08:19 AM	#1
Cody_Goranson Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Cloquet Minnesota Posts: 2	Headlights I have a question for anyone that can help me I have a 1988 mustang 5.0 gt the headlights flicke on and foo as if like they are on a timer. if i shut the lights off and turn the key off they well work for a little longer. I was just wondering if it might be the switch in the cab??

05-05-2004, 12:33 PM	#2
Capri306 Moderator Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA Posts: 1,001	Check in this order: 1. Ground connection at the headlights (the little eyelet screwed stupidly into the chassis with no regard for the effects of corrosion). Take them both off and polish them up, and cover with antiseize. 2. Headlight switch/socket for melting and/or overheating indications. 3. Bad battery --> engine --> chassis ground connections. Hell, just making sure these are okay can make the engine perform a little better...if you consider engine control has a lot to do with the EEC's measurement of sensor voltages, that is. I don't remember if there's a headlight circuit breaker in the fuse box, but I do know there's fuseable links powering that circuit (coming off the battery side of the starter solenoid) that could also have bad connections. These bad connections could be enough to cause excessive current and could therefore be tripping a circuit/thermal breaker. Something's wrong somewhere; find it before it catches on fire! __________________ Capri306, Moderator The Mustang Works Online 1979 Mercury Capri 1987 5.0L Mustang LX Notchback 1993 5.8L Eddie Bauer Bronco

05-05-2004, 03:21 PM	#3
Fox Body Mustang Maniac Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: GA, U.S.A Posts: 2,266	My headlights did that also and it was embarassing. It turned out to be the switch (the one that turns the headlights on and off-- together with the foglights-- not the switch that switches to high beams). It's one of the easiest fixes I've ever done on a car. A new switch at Advanced Auto will cost about $15-20. All you do is pop out the old one (don't have to undo any screws at all, it just pops out the front-- carefully use a flat head screw driver) disconnect the wires, reconnect the new wires, and pop the new one in. Can be done in less than 10 minutes. It fixed my problem and lights haven't flickered for about 6 months now. Hope that helps. Later. __________________ 351W-powered 1979 Ford Mustang Ghia notchback '79 Video @ Idle Stock 5.8L under 4" cowl 'glass hood, C4 w/ Transgo shift kit, Holley 750 cfm, Edelbrock Performer RPM intake; Fluidyne Al radiator, Flexalite 175 electric fan, 1 5/8" MAC shorty headers, FRPP Al driveshaft; S&W 6-point cage; 2.5" Off road H-pipe, 2-chamber Flowmasters, 8.8" Rear w/ 3.55s; Weld wheels (15x6;15x8), Front: 225/60/15, Rear: 275/50/15 Nitto NT 555R Drag Radials; 14 x 4” K&N X-stream air filter. '92 GT (5-speed) Small In Car Video Stock 5.0L, 2-chamber Flowmasters, MAC CAI, Tri-Ax, Al pedals... "Red, thou art my companion. Hasten now your quickened metamorphosis to Green that I may conquer all who dare abide there beside me. May they be left thither behind burnt black." ---Fox Body

05-05-2004, 07:22 PM	#4
mustangII460 Factoy Five Roadster Join Date: May 2000 Location: Sevier Co,Tennessee Posts: 1,681	Ditto on the switch. __________________ Frank

05-06-2004, 02:44 AM	#5
joe4speed He said Member...heh, heh Join Date: Sep 1999 Location: Jupiter, Florida U.S.A. Posts: 3,718	If this happens with your driving lights on, than this happened with my '88 GT as well, I used a relay to solve the problem. It's been working flawlessly for many years now. Here's a link to an older thread that describes how to wire the relay: http://forums.mustangworks.com/showt...ight=headlight __________________ *Joe!* 1988 GT, 13.58@101mph Check out my listing! Click here! Or my website:www.joe4speed.com

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