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nother question on my lights

M

mark in boonville ny

Member
well i went to go screw around with my lights on my 87 f150 again but i also noticed that the radio isnt working either. what should i look for next. i dont think it would be a light switch problem but in case how do you pull the nbs on the switches so i can pull the panels off.
 
Mark,

I only have a 86, but if I recall correctly they both have the "pull" knob for lights and twist knob for the wipers.

On the light switch, there is 2 ways.. 1) look under the dash at the light switch.. somewhere there should be a little "button".. Push it in and pull the knob and the knob and the rod the knob is on should both come out.

2) look around the innermost part of the knob, somewhere there will be a little notch.. take a small instrument, go through the notch, and push towards the outside.. There is a little "clip" that will allow the knobs to be pushed on, but not pulled off unless it's pushed in, loosening it up on the "rod" (this will be the same on either light or wiper switch)

Again, this is based on my 86.. Can't say I have really ever paid attention to one newer.. So it may not be the same on yours.. I almost want to say on my 95 the wipers and such are on the column.. (only been in the truck twice since I brought it home 3 years ago.. Maybe this winter I'll get around to it)

Brad
 
thank you. i will try to get into that tommorow. i got a dimmer switch but didnt think to get a light switch until after i got home just to make sure that wasnt it. the way you desribe 86 and 87 are the same.
 
Mark,

I can't recall all of your symptoms now, but I had 2 trucks (83 and 85) where you'd be driving, and the headlights would just decide they don't want to shine no longer.. sometimes they'd come right back, sometimes it would take up to a minute, then continue to flicker off and on..The parking lamps would stay lit (at least seemed like they always did) both times, it was the switch.

My 86 has been acting up however after sitting most the summer (with the windshield leaking and dripping near the dimmer) and I believe it to be the dimmer, as it is "sticky" and if you click it again, the lights will light back up. The more I have driven and used it, the less it has been bothering.. Guess I'll have to break down and fix it now that I had a new windshield put in 2 weeks ago.

As for the radio.. I don't know what to make of it.. and i don't believe my book goes past 86 to see if there'd be something common between the lights and radio in the schematic.

Brad
 
Most radios are fused separately or with other accessories. The lights are on a circuit of itself. Check for loose/broken wires, bad ground, bad relays. You really need a good wiring diagram for such work. The only thing that I have is a Haynes manual, and it wouldn't even make good toilet paper!
 
thanks that seems to help some more now. the dimmer does stick a little but what difference does it make when the lights dont work anyway until i try the new switch. where would the relays and stuff be. i checked the fuses and they all looked but i will check again anyway but if there was a broken wire how would you know where to start. i have n idea why the raidio quite but i just noticed today that it wasnt lighting up or working either. would there be some conection running in with the lights and raidio and buzzer that may have came loose.
 
i got the nobs off and the panel and pulled the little peice where the wipers and light switch is and saw a little light bulb. what is the purpose of that. i dont think ive ever seen it work and i found a little spring that i think was attached to the light switch and was dangling there. would that have any effect on aything. as far as i looked i dont see anything else wrong but i will find out when i get a new switch unless it is something else.
 
Find where main wiring harness goes thru firewall to engine compartment. if its a block style plug, unbolt the retaining bolt seperate the halves, and look for excessive corrosion in the connectors. beleive retaianing bolt is in engine side of firewall.
 
i got a pic of what the spring looks like although its not very good and a couple of wires by the battery that somebody maye reconise. thanks

3509.jpg
3510.jpg
 
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