Dome/headlights

[vegas39]

Has anyone had a problem with the dome light not working when the headlights are on? If my headlights are on and I open the door, the interior dome light will not come on unless I shut the headlights off.
Does this sound like a problem with the headlight switch? Just wanted to know before I go down and buy a new one. Thanks. This is on my 89.

 

[MedicMoe]

It does sound like it to me. Are you popping any fuses?

 

[theguruat12]

This has happened to me once too, but it went away after that one time. I know for a fact that my wire up to the dome light is loose, so I'm not sure if that has something to do with it, but my headlight switch is only a year old.

 

[vegas39]

It does sound like it to me. Are you popping any fuses?

Not popping any fuses. I may grab one while at pick a part this weekend, just to try instead of buying a new one.

 

[icanfixall]

If you find one a pick a parts look closely at the dash lite resotat wireing on it.. That the area that the contact slides across to brighten up or turn down the lites. Many times thats worn off or the curly wire is broken at one end. Thats what I found on one of my light switches once on my f350. Since then I have not had a problem but since then I don't release the parking brake without having my foot on the peddle. Allowing the peddle to spring back up kills the wiper switch and may even cause damage to the lite switch when it hot.

 

[theguruat12]

I don't release the parking brake without having my foot on the peddle. Allowing the peddle to spring back up kills the wiper switch and may even cause damage to the lite switch when it hot.

X2 for me

 

[79jasper]

Ground problem?

 

[The Warden]

I don't release the parking brake without having my foot on the peddle. Allowing the peddle to spring back up kills the wiper switch and may even cause damage to the lite switch when it hot.

X3. I use the parking brake religiously, and so did my uncle who owned the truck before me. He didn't know about catching the pedal with his foot, and I didn't learn it until I had had the truck about a year...but, the pedal jumping up so violently not only took out my headlight switch and my wiper delay box, it also damaged my fuse box the power window circuit breaker would pop out every time I released the parking brake. I finally took the circuit breaker out and added a few layers of solder to the terminal blades to make it thick enough to stay in, and I started catching the pedal with my foot, and all seems well now

To the original question, as the others said, I would replace the headlight switch. IMHO you're better off going new; they're not that expensive and one from a yard is likely to have problems with the instrument panel rheostat. While you're at it, take a look at the plug going into the headlight switch and make sure that it isn't melting apart...and, for that matter, now would be a very good time to do the headlight relay mod.

 

[reklund]

X3. I use the parking brake religiously, and so did my uncle who owned the truck before me. He didn't know about catching the pedal with his foot, and I didn't learn it until I had had the truck about a year...but, the pedal jumping up so violently not only took out my headlight switch and my wiper delay box, it also damaged my fuse box the power window circuit breaker would pop out every time I released the parking brake. I finally took the circuit breaker out and added a few layers of solder to the terminal blades to make it thick enough to stay in, and I started catching the pedal with my foot, and all seems well now

To the original question, as the others said, I would replace the headlight switch. IMHO you're better off going new; they're not that expensive and one from a yard is likely to have problems with the instrument panel rheostat. While you're at it, take a look at the plug going into the headlight switch and make sure that it isn't melting apart...and, for that matter, now would be a very good time to do the headlight relay mod.

All of this is the truth! Let me know if you need a hand with the harness mod or anything. I've done the switch and the harness before on my truck, and can help if you need. Go for new parts whenever possible- NAPA ECHLIN parts or Factory Ford perferably. They even sell the pigtail for the backside of the headlamp switch if you need it.

Did you get the alternator swapped out and functioning the other day? I had to leave before you guys got back from the parts store...

Ryan