Parking lights do not turn off

Hi,

I attached the wiring schematic below for the exterior lighting. It appears that power for the parking lights is provided by fuse 17 in the interior fuse panel (left side under dash). From there power goes to the switch and is distributed to all parking lights via brown wires.

Do the lights stay on when the fuse (17) is removed? Also, fuse 7 in the same panel is for the automatic light control. What happens if that is removed?

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below. Note: There were two pics. I had to cut them in half to make them readable for you. I did overlap them so you can follow from one to the next. Pics 1/2 and pics 3/4 are from the same pics. The last pic is the central junction box I mentioned with the fuses highlighted.

Yes, fuse 17 is only way I get them to turn off I have not pulled number 7 but believe my day light driving lights have been deleted. I did pull the trailer tow lights plug and didn't change I swapped out the blinker relay and unhooked the VSM all with light switch unhooked I believe there was an issue before I got it at one point. I grounded the power point and popped a fuse they went out and worked as they should for a few weeks, until I plugged phone charger in power point popped fuse again and marker lights came back on.

Did I mention it has had a flatbed put on it don't know if that makes a difference? I kind of over owning a Ford about ready to collect the insurance money on it.

If they turn off when that fuse is removed, then there isn't a short to power which I suspected. It sounds like the switch itself is bad. By chance, have you replaced it?

Let me know.

Joe

Yes, in the very beginning I changed it out, but when I turn to the lights on and pull out for dogs' lights it turns my high beams on.

When I pull fuse 17 or 7.

Hi,

Fuse 17 powers the headlamp switch and 7 powers the multi-function switch. Does one turn off the parking lights? If fuse 7 turns it off, then I suspect there is a short at the multi-function switch. If 17 turns it off, then it has to be at the switch.

Also, does this truck have DRL (daytime running lights)?

Let me know.

Joe

See pic below.

When i pull fuse 17 the lights go out fuse seven does not shut them off when pulled. I'm not sure about DRL's i have been told it should have them but don't come on if it does have them. i have put a different switch in but it was not a new one. i will pick up a new switch tomorrow and let you know how it goes.

Hi,

I looked up parts and labor to find the part number. You indicated it has fog lights. The headlamp switch w/ fog lights is different between with DRL's or without DRL's. Both appear to have a 9-pin connector.

See pic below for OEM part numbers.

Joe

See pic.

Okay, i should rephrase that the switch in truck has the fog lamp position, but my truck there are no fog lamps, however there are 2 factory plugs close to where the factory fog lamps would be mounted. so, i assume it did have fog lamps or this switch is not the correct one for this truck. If it has fog lamps no DRL's but no fog lamps, then it has DRL's is that what you're saying? Also, how would i find out if the fuse box is the correct matching number that should be in truck? I'm thinking the fuse box may have been switched out before.

Alex, the only way to determine if the fuse box is correct is to locate the part number on it. It should be scribed in the plastic near the bottom, but not easy to find.

As far as the switch is concerned, it can have fog lights with either with DRL's or without DRL's. Just refer to the part numbers I didn't highlight.

Also, if you can, take a pic of the fuse box so I can see it. I can try to make a few comparisons for you. Also, here is a link where you can put the truck's VIN number in, and it will help decode what the vehicle came with. With GM and Chrysler, they have RPO numbers that are very specific. I don't think Ford is the same. But if it is, there should be a label in the glove box that looks similar to the pic I attached below. I found that example online. You can check under the hood as well for the label.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/vindecoder.php

Take care of yourself and let me know what I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe

Wow, thank you very much. You have been very helpful and pretty prompt with your response. On another site you have to pay to even ask a question and it could take days to get a reply if at all. i will get pics for you tomorrow when it's light. What do you think is the reason the fog light position turns the bright lights on?

Hi,

I have a feeling the switch is the wrong one for the system. At this point, we don't know exactly what we are dealing with. However, we will figure it out.

Take care and I'll watch for your reply.

Joe

i got a switch with fog light and one without marker lights still won't turn off without pulling fuse 17. also i have power to my windows at all times don't think it's supposed to be like that, is it?

Hi,

This gets more and more confusing. By chance, did you determine if the fuse box is the original one? Did you try pulling the trailer tow parking lamp relay?

Let's look at this from a different angle. This may sound crazy but remove all the parking bulbs that stay on. With them all removed, check which ones have power and which don't. Maybe by doing that, it will help us narrow things down.

Or go to the headlamp switch and locate the brown wire. Is there power to it at all times? If there is, disconnect the switch and see if the power stops at that wire.

Let me know.

Joe

Okay, will try finding brown wire first but my alternator went bad yesterday put another one on and smoked it within minutes put a second new one on seems to be working fine but now you left lights on dummy dinging is not dinging but marker lights still on.

Okay, so there are 3 brown wired with fuse in and switch off all 3 have power with switch on all have power with switch unplugged all have power fuse out none have power. I will try unplugging bulbs next.

Hi,

With the switch connected and off, do you have power on both brown wires? You shouldn't. The tan wire with the white tracer is power in from fuse 17. The switch should cut power out to the brown. See pic below.

Also, I noticed there is duct tape on the connector. Are you certain nothing is shorting between wires due to a bad connector?

Let me know. Why they would use the same color in the same connector is beyond my knowledge. Anything to make it more difficult. LOL

Look at the pic below.

Joe

no duct tape just crappy picture taker, but with switch plugged in and in off position both brown wires are hot switch on both have power. so for fun i tried it with other two switches. i have same both wires stay hot on all the switches with that being said the two other switches 1 with fog lamp 1 without. i did not purchase new i got them at wrecking yard. What are chances are all three switches junk? if i understand correctly one brown wire comes from fuse box to switch and other brown wire would be from switch out to lights so if switch is working when in off position one from fuse box would be hot one from switch to lights would not have power until switch turned on.

Hi,

I went back through the schematics. The only power supply to the switch is the tan wire with a white tracer. The brown wires get power with the switch on but shouldn't with it off.

Take a look below. That is what I'm seeing as the connector. If you read through each pin's circuit function, note that pin 10 is the aforementioned wire and it is the power supply.

Take a look through the circuit functions and then check the pins to see if they are accurate. Note: the connector only shows two solid brown wires. One is power out from the switch to exterior lights and the other is for fog lights.

Let me know where the third one goes to in the connector. (Pin number)

Joe

See pic below.

well, i would like to say i will check into that and you have been more than helpful and super appreciate all the time you have spent helping me, but unfortunately i got frustrated and a long story short; Ford will never burn anybody ever again ever. just for kicks are you still thinking it was switch?

oh, by the way. The third brown wire is on the second smaller plug in the black plug. so, 2 brown wires in gray plug 1 in the black plus.

Hi,

I'm not sure if the switch is bad or someone has changed things. At least based on the schematics, the brown wires should only have power when the switch is on. I believe the one smaller plug is for the dimmer.

I'm a little concerned to know what you meant by it will never bother anyone again. LOL

If you still have it, were you able to test the pins I attached in the last post?

Let me know.

Take care, and you are very welcome, but I don't feel like I was very helpful.

Joe

So, as for the truck it will need some work to be drivable again but I did check the pins in plug for light and have constant power to pin # 2 pin # 8#10 and #12 when fuse 17 is plugged in and with fuse out pin # 8 still has power and I believe my truck did not have fog lamps but in the head light bucket itself along with light bulbs was these quirky que looking lights. What are they I'm bound and determined to fix this light issue even if the truck doesn't see they highway again.

Does pin 8 have power if you remove fuse 43 in the central junction box? Also, what is the part number on those lights? Did you try to remove one at a time to see if one turned all park lights off?

well, i am afraid to check. i switched the headlight switch with another one i had without fog light position, no change. so, i pulled fuse and drove it around to work and such. I went to pull fuse 43 and when i put fuse 17 in no lights turned. switch all lights worked as they should tried them couple times worked fine. I will alert you know how next couple days go.

i did want to say i never did find out if fuse box is in fact correct or not but the number on my fuse box 3c3t is different than the number that is on VSM box 3c7t should they match? again, you have been very helpful and put a lot of time into getting me in the area and direction i needed to be going to solve this. thank you so much.

i did want to say i never did find out if fuse box is in fact correct or not but the number on my fuse box 3c3t is different thann number that is on vsm box 3c7t should they match .again you have been very helpfull and put a lot of time into getting me in the area and direction i needed to be going to solve this thank you so much

Hi,

The numbers will be different. That is normal. And, you are very welcome, but I don't feel like I have been of much help. LOL

Regardless, if you continue trying, let me know what I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe

Yes, you were very helpful. i had no clue where to look and now have some idea what wire should be doing now to start tracing them back if the issue comes back again.

got up this morning and thought someone was in my driveway went out to check and headlights and markers were on switch in off position. this thing is worse than a cheating girlfriend .

Hi,

LOL were they off when you left the vehicle?

Let me know. I think the vehicle may need a priest. LOL I think it's possessed.

Joe

Yes, when i closed up for the night all lights were off fuse in switch plugged in. then they were on this morning turned switch on and off couple times lights stayed on i pulled positive side off battery and when i got ready to leave for work hook battery backup lights came on and almost to work smelled burning wires pulled over and fuse box was melting.

It was melting" There has to be a short where that is happening which is causing the power to the lights. Can you send me a couple of pics?

Joe

Yes, I will send pic of back of fuse box and the wire plug that melted or where I believe this issue is coming from.

Hi,

I haven't heard from you for a few days. Have you been able to make any progress?

Joe

Got another fuse box in and lights turned off for couple days but was on when I came out the door this morning. Below is a picture of the plug that melted in the back of fuse box. Now my low range light is on, and my overdrive lights flash all the time.

There has to be a constant (high) draw on that at all times. Is there voltage to the wires that were cut (truck side not fuse box side)?

i won't be able to do any work on truck for couple days, but will get back to you when i do work on it next and with updates.

Hi,

Sounds like a plan. I will watch for your reply.

Take care,

Joe