Headlights cutting on and off infrequently

JAFO

Registered User
My mechanic tells me that the ground wire right by the battery with the large black connector is the reason for this. Says Ford used a bad connector and that's what's causing the lights to flicker off every now and then. Seems to happen more when I have the fog lights on. May just be chance though, or that the ground isn't good enough for all of that at one time. Any of you run across this? Is there a "best" way to fix it or just cut out the connector and splice in _______ guage wire?


Thanks! Hoping this is the problem (nice and cheap). He says that if it was a '90-01 Escort that the whole car would have cut out. This may not be it, but he's pretty darn good, so this must be the most likely.
 
new switch

I had the same problem all i had to do was change the switch the and the problem went away just go to the junk yard and pick one up..\


-Jerry-
 
Hi, Bill.

It's very frequently because the headlight switch overheats and begins to fail especially using the fog lights. The fog lights feed through the headlight switch and the multifunction switch. I had to replace mine soon after I bought my car and the switch was visibly darkened on the contacts. Many people suggest rewiring the fog lights to use a relay to relieve the load on the system as I have. My suggestion is to remove the headlight switch and see it if has any darkened copper runners. A new switch may solve the problem for now. At least this is my experience so far. It's a start anyway. Just my .02.

Good luck to you.
 
New switch as in the pull on/off switch or the push/pull high/low beam switch? Just to be sure.

Thanks!
 
I'm sorry, Bill. I was talking about the pull on headlight switch. The high beams and such is the multifunction switch. I could have been more clear about that. I wish you well.
 
Thanks guys. I'll try to tear into it this weekend. Doesn't look like it'll be too hard to get into. I'm assuming you can get to it just by removing the cover piece of the dash there?
 
Yeah Bill and it's pretty easy. Do you have a manual? I will be happy to type the instructions from the shop manual I have from the 90. I type pretty quickly. Just trying to help.
 
Now that you mention it, I do. Thanks for the offer though. They even mention the auto dimmer switch, which I don't have, that is rumoured to be associated with the mysterious green eye on the dash. If this is common, it may be better to get one new rather than get one that's also shot or may not have much life left in it. Could that ground wire still be related? The poor ground resulting in it being taken out on this switch?
 
Bill, I will tell you regarding the ground wire, I honestly don't know. I do know that when a ground is not a clear ground, current will flow to the next easiest grounding source. If that involves backflowing through a switch, then that's where it goes. Or a switch with a poor ground will get hotter trying to complete the circuit. I learned the hard way that the ground strap from an engine to the body is very important for overall system function. Sometimes you can get by without it, sometimes you can't. I would certainly make sure that your battery cables are clean and tight and that all grounds are tight and sure. It will definitely help.
 
Save.

Save your time and rewire the dang thing. I had the EXACT same problem. Replaced the switch which was darkened on the ends and got a new pull on/off switch. Worked fine for about 2 months. But now with my fog lights on it blinks again. So im going to rewire it. If you keep your fog lights off your lights won't blink. Course the new on/off switch was only like 9.99 from autozone!! So I guess it was good to raplace it while I was at it anyways.
 
Wow, 91blownsc. That's wild. Only 2 months and it went bad again? This fog lights overtaxing the system thing is a new one on me with SC's. My 89 never gave me this kind of trouble but then it was almost new when I bought it too. Drove it for 3 years without this problem. I have rewired my fogs and hope that cures the problem but wow I can't believe Ford did this. Mustangs have fog relays, other cars have fog relays. Ford really dropped the ball on the SC's.

have a great week, guys.
 
wow

just go to the bone yard find a lx or sc or couger and pull one out and stick it in your pocket, i got two just to make sure..

Jerry
 
Guys check ur multifunction switch (aka the turn signal stalk) also.. My old SC had a MELTED connector for the headlight switch and i had to change switches every 5-8 months or so like clockwork.. Even after i changed the connector.. Then when i was still having problems i had disassembled my steering column to run a wire thru and saw my multifunction switch connector had also melted.. I replaced it with one out of a boneyard and the problem went away..
 
I think I'll test this. I'll get a new one, $10 isn't bad, and use it. If it starts doing it again, I'll get another new one *and* redo the ground wire. It sounds like the ground wire is the cause, and the switch going bad is a side effect of it when it has to use the switch for grounding. Or, I guess I could just fix the ground now and see if that does it since my switch still works for the moment. I've got a lot to do, but I love this car!
 
Bill, I wish you success with whatever you decide to do. I hope you find the problem. I need to correct myself too on one thing. Sometimes I have tunnel vision. I found out from some research last night that apparently the fox mustang GT's had this problem also. I came across 2 or 3 sites where they were explaining how to reroute the wiring and install a fog light relay to save the switches. I don't know how the 94 up stangs are but 87-93 GT's didn't have relays either. I would think having the fogs on a relay would just be good maintenance for the cars. Anyway, good luck, Bill.

Have a great week all.
 
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