Lights Out!!!

Phantom5oh · 11-04-2001, 12:56 PM

ok so i am driving down the road and my headlights go out!!! before i can grab the switch they coma back on... then a few minutes later they do it again... and again and again... so now i have headlights that tun off and on when they want... i can always get them to come back on by shutting them off and turning them back on, but that doesn't always fix it for long... i already checked my headlight grounds they seem ok, anyone have any ideas... its getting pretty old having "winking headlights" check out my profile to see my mods... thanks

steve

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Project Bird Turd

GNC Racing & Performance
Scarzi's Machine Works

jimberg · 11-04-2001, 01:51 PM

Are your fog lights on? Will they come back on if you just turn you fog lights off? If so, it is probably just the foglight overheating problem. You can run power directly to the fog lights through a relay from the battery and use the existing wires to control a relay.

Another possibility is your mult-function switch. When the lights go out, try jiggling the turn signal switch. If they come back on, replace the switch.

Yet another possibility is a bad headlight switch. Ford did a really bad job with this stuff since it all tends to overheat. If you pull your switches out related to the headlights you will notice that they are melted.

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351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

HiFlow5 0 · 11-04-2001, 03:17 PM

i just had the same problem. headlights would go out and if i moved the turn signal/high bean switch they would come back on. finally the lights went out all for good. i could use high beams if i pulled back on the lever, but that was it. i replaced the mutli-fuction switch and i was all set.

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89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's.

89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater!
MY89GT

Phantom5oh · 11-04-2001, 03:45 PM

thanks guys... i'll check my multifunction tonight if the lights decide to act up...

steve

------------------
Project Bird Turd

GNC Racing & Performance
Scarzi's Machine Works

Phantom5oh · 11-05-2001, 09:54 AM

well it looks like you guys were right... its my multifunction... i also just lost my turn signals... then they came back... so thats it... i will replace that and my headlight switch... where is the best place to get these things, other than the dealership???

steve

------------------
Project Bird Turd

GNC Racing & Performance
Scarzi's Machine Works

jimberg · 11-05-2001, 11:24 AM

The only other place I know of is Late Model Restoration but the price is the same as the dealer. I would just go to the dealer.

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351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

HiFlow5 0 · 11-05-2001, 12:43 PM

check out mustangs unlimited i think there about 70 bucks. i would look at a bone yard first and see if u can find one off a wrecked mustang.

------------------
89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's.

89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater!
MY89GT

jimberg · 11-05-2001, 03:58 PM

Since this part is something that commonly wears out, I wouldn't recommend buying one from the junkyard or you'll just wind up replacing it again a lot sooner than you should. You should also consider doing the fog light rewire which will help prevent your switches from getting toasted so much.

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351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

Maroon 5.0 LX · 11-05-2001, 04:06 PM

I recently got some Motorcraft parts from http://www.fordpartsonline.com Good discount and fairly fast service. They have an on-line catalog that's not complete, or call their 800 number.

If you don't need the parts today, give them a look.

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'89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner
'94 E-150 4.9 Hi-Top Conversion Van

nerpall · 11-05-2001, 05:39 PM

While you are messing around with some of the dash off you may as well rewire the foglights so as to avoid that overheat problem later. I did it on my '88 GT. It took about 2 hours and worked great. Look at www.corral.net/tech/maintenance/foglights.html
it's pretty easy, costs about $25 in parts and all are available thru RadioShack.

11-04-2001, 12:56 PM	#1
Phantom5oh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 334	Lights Out!!! ok so i am driving down the road and my headlights go out!!! before i can grab the switch they coma back on... then a few minutes later they do it again... and again and again... so now i have headlights that tun off and on when they want... i can always get them to come back on by shutting them off and turning them back on, but that doesn't always fix it for long... i already checked my headlight grounds they seem ok, anyone have any ideas... its getting pretty old having "winking headlights" check out my profile to see my mods... thanks steve ------------------ Project Bird Turd GNC Racing & Performance Scarzi's Machine Works

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11-04-2001, 01:51 PM	#2
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	Are your fog lights on? Will they come back on if you just turn you fog lights off? If so, it is probably just the foglight overheating problem. You can run power directly to the fog lights through a relay from the battery and use the existing wires to control a relay. Another possibility is your mult-function switch. When the lights go out, try jiggling the turn signal switch. If they come back on, replace the switch. Yet another possibility is a bad headlight switch. Ford did a really bad job with this stuff since it all tends to overheat. If you pull your switches out related to the headlights you will notice that they are melted. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

11-04-2001, 03:17 PM	#3
HiFlow5 0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Springfield, Ma, usa Posts: 706	i just had the same problem. headlights would go out and if i moved the turn signal/high bean switch they would come back on. finally the lights went out all for good. i could use high beams if i pulled back on the lever, but that was it. i replaced the mutli-fuction switch and i was all set. ------------------ 89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's. 89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater! MY89GT

11-04-2001, 03:45 PM	#4
Phantom5oh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 334	thanks guys... i'll check my multifunction tonight if the lights decide to act up... steve ------------------ Project Bird Turd GNC Racing & Performance Scarzi's Machine Works

11-05-2001, 09:54 AM	#5
Phantom5oh Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 334	well it looks like you guys were right... its my multifunction... i also just lost my turn signals... then they came back... so thats it... i will replace that and my headlight switch... where is the best place to get these things, other than the dealership??? steve ------------------ Project Bird Turd GNC Racing & Performance Scarzi's Machine Works

11-05-2001, 11:24 AM	#6
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	The only other place I know of is Late Model Restoration but the price is the same as the dealer. I would just go to the dealer. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

11-05-2001, 12:43 PM	#7
HiFlow5 0 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Springfield, Ma, usa Posts: 706	check out mustangs unlimited i think there about 70 bucks. i would look at a bone yard first and see if u can find one off a wrecked mustang. ------------------ 89 GT AOD w/ shift kit, B&M rachet shifter, Trickflow intake, Crane (E-type) cam, 70Tb, 75MAF, 1.6 Rockers, Pulleys, MAC headers and H-pipe, Dynomax mufflers, K&N, 3 core radiator, white face gauges, custom interior, cobra R rims. 14.9 at 95.07mph with stock 2.73's. 89LX 2.3 Notch, daily beater! MY89GT

11-05-2001, 03:58 PM	#8
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	Since this part is something that commonly wears out, I wouldn't recommend buying one from the junkyard or you'll just wind up replacing it again a lot sooner than you should. You should also consider doing the fog light rewire which will help prevent your switches from getting toasted so much. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

11-05-2001, 04:06 PM	#9
Maroon 5.0 LX Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Southern Maryland Posts: 471	I recently got some Motorcraft parts from http://www.fordpartsonline.com Good discount and fairly fast service. They have an on-line catalog that's not complete, or call their 800 number. If you don't need the parts today, give them a look. ------------------ '89 LX 5.0 - 5 speed. Original Owner '94 E-150 4.9 Hi-Top Conversion Van

11-05-2001, 05:39 PM	#10
nerpall Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Hoffman Estates, IL Posts: 14	While you are messing around with some of the dash off you may as well rewire the foglights so as to avoid that overheat problem later. I did it on my '88 GT. It took about 2 hours and worked great. Look at www.corral.net/tech/maintenance/foglights.html it's pretty easy, costs about $25 in parts and all are available thru RadioShack.