No power to headlight switch

ERICH PETERSON

MEMBER
1993 FORD E-SERIES VAN
5.8L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
89,000 MILES

Hi,

My running lights and dash lights do not work. I have found that the fuse controlling those functions at the power distribution box doesn't have 12v on either side of the fuse, which supplies power to the functions that are not working (tan/white wire).

I'm wondering what I should do now. Pull the distribution box and look at wiring inside? If so, I'm not seeing how to get into it.

Thanks

7 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi,

Is the fuse you checked in the vehicle or under the hood? There is a 60-amp fuse under the hood that sends power to the headlamp switch. Also, there is a 15-amp fuse in the vehicle.

Looking at the wiring schematic, the wire coming from the fuse is a black wire with an orange tracer. See schematic below.

Let me know if that is what you checked.

Joe

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Thursday, October 21st, 2021 AT 9:23 PM

ERICH PETERSON

MEMBER
28 POSTS

Hi,

It is the fuse (10 amp I believe) under the hood that is marked in the owner's manual as being for "running lights". The tan wire with the white tracer I reference is the wire that goes into the back of actual headlight switch. I read somewhere that that wire goes straight to the fuse box, to that fuse location. So, I tested for voltage on that fuse, and get nothing. PS-headlights work fine.

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Friday, October 22nd, 2021 AT 5:42 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi,

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to hear they are working for you again. Driving in the dark is a bit of a challenge and dangerous without taillights. LOL

Regardless, I'm happy to hear it is working. Please feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions. You're always welcome here.

Take care of yourself,

Joe

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Friday, October 22nd, 2021 AT 7:16 PM

ERICH PETERSON

MEMBER
28 POSTS

Oh, sorry, if I implied it was fixed. The headlights work, but the parking lights and the dash lights do not work. I think these two functions are fed by the tan and white wire in the harness, which doesn't seem to have power on either side of the fuse under the hood at the fuse labeled running lights.

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Saturday, October 23rd, 2021 AT 6:28 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,758 POSTS

Hi,

No problem. I thought it was working. Let's get this figured out.

If you look at pic 1 below, it shows fuse 4. The wiring starts dark blue with an orange tracer, and then there is a splice into the tan/white wire you checked.

Since there is a splice, I need to confirm there is no power to fuse 4 in the instrument panel fuse box. If there isn't, check fuses 8, 12, or 16 to see if they have power. If they don't, go to the fuse box under the hood. Locate fuse S and check it for condition and power to and from it. (See pic 2 for location).

Now, if fuse 4 in the vehicle has power but you don't have power at the tan/white wire, then the splice is likely the cause.

Let me know what you find. Also, because if the model year, my schematics are limited. I'm providing OEM schematics and they are not as easy to follow as others. LOL

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

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