2000 Ford Taurus head lights

ALBATROSSKK

MEMBER
2000 FORD TAURUS
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
114,000 MILES

When driviing at night the head lights seam to work fine on dim, when I flip the dimmer switch to high beam the high beam comes on but it is hard to see. When I flip back to dim and pull back on the dimmer switch the high and low beams come on. My question is, should the high and low beam come on when the dimmer switch is on high beam and when pulled back should only the high beam be on.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

It is normal for both to come on when you pull the switch back. That is know as the flash to pass setting on the headlights.

As far as not being able to see with the high beams on, are the headlights properly adjusted or do the bulbs just get dim?

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Wednesday, September 8th, 2010 AT 6:32 AM

ALBATROSSKK

MEMBER
2 POSTS

I am going to try to explain the problem better. When the headlights are off and you pull back on the dimmer switch, the the the high beam element comes on. When you turn the headlights on and the dimmer switch is in the middle position the low beam element is on. When you pull back the dimmer switch into the flash to pass position both the high and low beam elements are on. When you push the dimmer switch ahead to the high beam position, the high beam element comes on, but the low beam element goes off. I think the low element should stay on when the dimmer switch is on high beams. Where could the wiring be changed to correct this problem. I believe the wiring has been tampered with, as I have the same problem on my 91 Ranger that never used to have a problem. Thank You

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Friday, September 17th, 2010 AT 3:55 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Based on your description, they are doing what they should. In the forward position, only the high beam should be on. The low doesn't stay on with it. The flash to pass function will turn both on.

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Friday, September 17th, 2010 AT 10:03 PM