No Headlights

RoadWarrior · 03-07-2003, 10:37 PM

Well we tried figuring out whats wrong with the 88GT but i am stumjped. The problem is that when you turn on the headlights all the lights (markers) come on except for the actualy headlights. We tried changing the switch to no avail and no it is not the bulbs. The high beams only work when you pull them to flash them but wont stay on if you actually turn them on. Im not sure where else to look on the car. Has anyone on here had this problem? I need help here guys since this is my brothers main form of transportation and it still gets dark way to early.

Technick · 03-08-2003, 01:22 AM

You have either lost the ground to the headlights thru the headlight switch or the multifunction switch is bad. That is the switch that houses the turn signals, interval wipers and the hi-beam/low beam switch. I have seen a bad multifunction switch keep just one turn signal from working! All of the others worked fine. That multifunction switch can cause a lot of weird lighting problems. Try replacing it first. Double check all fuses and circut breakers. Make sure the fog lights are off.

lx5091 · 03-08-2003, 03:38 PM

if you need a multifunction switch I have a brand new Ford one I never used...paid $89 + S&H but he can have it for $65 that includes shipping. let me know calypso5liter@yahoo.com if you want it, include the address and any special shipping requirements if it's going over the us border so I can get an exact price on shipping, to make sure it's not gonna cost TOO much. Ok

good luck!

lx5091 · 03-08-2003, 03:48 PM

here's a pic anyway...

84LX89GT · 03-08-2003, 07:22 PM

The multifunction switch is a common-fail culprit of no headlights. If you had a wiring diagram and a test light you could see if the switch was getting headlight power and even jumper across the switch and manually turn the lights on, but if you don't/can't do that it's most likely the multifunction switch. I ended up paying $45 for one, but it was used and went through the biggest hassle to get the right one.....by the way NEVER buy from www.stangparts.com, horrible service.

BLOCKER · 03-08-2003, 09:53 PM

I had a similar problem with my 88, it is the switch, an easy way to check the switch... pull it out and if it looks fried, (ie// melted) then its bad.... poor wiring from ford or something
good luck

lx5091 · 03-08-2003, 11:26 PM

I have dealt with Stangparts in the past without any problems....but I almost got the wrong parts because I didn't make myself very clear on the phone. After calling a second time I was able to specify what I needed and they got it to me promptly and for a good price. But you have to ask the right questions.

Jrock26584 · 03-09-2003, 11:52 PM

i had a similar problem in my 95gt. i swapped out the headlight switch twice to find out that my wiring was fried. i bought a new wiring cluster from ford for like $50 and it fixed the problem. with mine i would pull the headlights switch to turn them on and only the markers and interior lights would come on, push it in a little and the headlights would come on, but if i pulled it back just a hair both would work till i hit a bump. but yeah, my problem was in the wiring.

dgrobels · 03-14-2003, 10:12 PM

i had the same thing and a guy emailed me and showed me how to rig it up and has been workig fine ever since!!!!!!! abotu one year ago so far and works great i can splice the wires back if need be when i finally get around to fixing eh multifunction switch

03-07-2003, 10:37 PM	#1
RoadWarrior Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Edmonton,Alberta,Canada Posts: 317	No Headlights Well we tried figuring out whats wrong with the 88GT but i am stumjped. The problem is that when you turn on the headlights all the lights (markers) come on except for the actualy headlights. We tried changing the switch to no avail and no it is not the bulbs. The high beams only work when you pull them to flash them but wont stay on if you actually turn them on. Im not sure where else to look on the car. Has anyone on here had this problem? I need help here guys since this is my brothers main form of transportation and it still gets dark way to early. __________________ Fast Company

03-08-2003, 01:22 AM	#2
Technick Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Seattle, Wa. Posts: 175	You have either lost the ground to the headlights thru the headlight switch or the multifunction switch is bad. That is the switch that houses the turn signals, interval wipers and the hi-beam/low beam switch. I have seen a bad multifunction switch keep just one turn signal from working! All of the others worked fine. That multifunction switch can cause a lot of weird lighting problems. Try replacing it first. Double check all fuses and circut breakers. Make sure the fog lights are off. __________________ No matter how much you spend, or how much you prepare, there is ALWAYS someone else faster or quicker than YOU!!!!!!!!!!

03-08-2003, 03:38 PM	#3
lx5091 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fall River, MA Posts: 467	if you need a multifunction switch I have a brand new Ford one I never used...paid $89 + S&H but he can have it for $65 that includes shipping. let me know calypso5liter@yahoo.com if you want it, include the address and any special shipping requirements if it's going over the us border so I can get an exact price on shipping, to make sure it's not gonna cost TOO much. Ok good luck! __________________ '02 Explorer XLT 4.0L --Nice Vehicle '97 Saturn SL1--Soon to be ditched for a Ford!

03-08-2003, 07:22 PM	#5
84LX89GT Mustangs Join Date: Jul 2000 Posts: 1,938	The multifunction switch is a common-fail culprit of no headlights. If you had a wiring diagram and a test light you could see if the switch was getting headlight power and even jumper across the switch and manually turn the lights on, but if you don't/can't do that it's most likely the multifunction switch. I ended up paying $45 for one, but it was used and went through the biggest hassle to get the right one.....by the way NEVER buy from www.stangparts.com, horrible service. __________________ 2005 Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300-R 1980 Ford Thunderbird - 255 V8 ported heads, 5.0L ported stock headers, O.R. H-pipe and Flowmaster 2-chambers, dual roller timing chain hi-po Mack Truck hood emblem 1985 Mustang GT 5.0L T5, F-303, GT40p, headers, off-road h, flowmasters, MSD stuff, etc. Sold 02/06/04 1989 Mustang GT ET: 13.304@102.29 mph (5-24-03) Sold - 1998 Mustang Cobra coupe, 1/4 mile - street tires: 13.843@103.41 (bone stock)

03-08-2003, 09:53 PM	#6
BLOCKER Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada Posts: 232	I had a similar problem with my 88, it is the switch, an easy way to check the switch... pull it out and if it looks fried, (ie// melted) then its bad.... poor wiring from ford or something good luck __________________ -1988 MUSTANG COBRA GT (Canadian...eh!) -1987 Mustang LX coupe (2.3L) -1978 Harley Davidson FLH -2008 Harley Davidson Nightster 1200 -2008 Harley Davidson Night Rod Special -1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertable

03-08-2003, 11:26 PM	#7
lx5091 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fall River, MA Posts: 467	I have dealt with Stangparts in the past without any problems....but I almost got the wrong parts because I didn't make myself very clear on the phone. After calling a second time I was able to specify what I needed and they got it to me promptly and for a good price. But you have to ask the right questions. __________________ '02 Explorer XLT 4.0L --Nice Vehicle '97 Saturn SL1--Soon to be ditched for a Ford!

03-09-2003, 11:52 PM	#8
Jrock26584 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 35	i had a similar problem in my 95gt. i swapped out the headlight switch twice to find out that my wiring was fried. i bought a new wiring cluster from ford for like $50 and it fixed the problem. with mine i would pull the headlights switch to turn them on and only the markers and interior lights would come on, push it in a little and the headlights would come on, but if i pulled it back just a hair both would work till i hit a bump. but yeah, my problem was in the wiring.

03-14-2003, 10:12 PM	#9
dgrobels Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: new jersey Posts: 23	i had the same thing and a guy emailed me and showed me how to rig it up and has been workig fine ever since!!!!!!! abotu one year ago so far and works great i can splice the wires back if need be when i finally get around to fixing eh multifunction switch

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