Headlight Failure on 2001 Ranger - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

the_marq · 04-07-2006, 12:14 PM

I hope someone can help me, I think this is a simple problem but it escapes me.

I have a 2001 Ford Ranger and my headlights either flicker, or do not come on at all in the "daytime running lights" position.

My headlight switch has 3 positions, for purposes of discussion call them 1, 2 and 3.

In position 1 (or off) the headlights are supposed to come on for added daytime visibility as soon as the ignition is engaged(this might just be a Canadian thing, not sure if US vehicles do the same thing). However, sometime ago I noticed when I could see my refelction the lights were flickering on and off, irregularly and some days they'd work just fine. The wee orange lights that straddle the main white headlights comeon just fine as soon as the ignition is engaged by the way. Now it has gotten 'worse' as my headlights are always off in pos 1.

In position 2, the tail lights come on, the headlights are supposed to be on, but they are not, same as in pos 1.

In position 3 everything works as it is supposed to... so this is not by any means an emergency as I do have headlight operation and thereby can drive my truck safely.

But it's a pain in the ass, I tried checking fuses, and replaced what I thought was the right one, no difference. Since the lights work just fine in position 3 I assume there has to be an issue with the switch itself (its a rotary deal btw) what's the deal with Pos 1 and 2?

I am mechanincal enough to change a switch or something but I don't know where to start.

Little help? Any ideas?

Plaid13 · 04-09-2006, 01:56 PM

sounds like it could be the switch or i think that truck would have some sort of a relay i think its called hidden somewhere. might want to go to a library or something and take a look at a shop manual to check how to test for that sort of thing. But since the lights still work when they are all the way on i would think it would be the switch. If the switch is cheap enough you could just change it and hope it fixes the problem. if not look in the shop manual to figure out how to test it. Have a big hammer and alot of duct tape handy just in case.

Anexkahn · 04-09-2006, 09:00 PM

i cant remember for sure on a 91 ranger, but if the headlight switch is on the turn signal, or if the highbeam/lowbeam selector is on the turnsignal that is a good first place to look. i've replaced two turnsignal headlight switches because there was no headlights at all.

There is also a relay for the DRL's but usually thats a complete fail thing if the contacts or coil burns out in it.

catback · 04-10-2006, 04:48 AM

Do the high beams work when you turn the headlights on? If not I'd say there is a connection problem with the high beam wiring, if the high beam works fine when you turn the headlights on sounds like a DRL issue.

04-07-2006, 12:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
the_marq All hail the Mountain King Location: Black Mesa	Headlight Failure on 2001 Ranger I hope someone can help me, I think this is a simple problem but it escapes me. I have a 2001 Ford Ranger and my headlights either flicker, or do not come on at all in the "daytime running lights" position. My headlight switch has 3 positions, for purposes of discussion call them 1, 2 and 3. In position 1 (or off) the headlights are supposed to come on for added daytime visibility as soon as the ignition is engaged(this might just be a Canadian thing, not sure if US vehicles do the same thing). However, sometime ago I noticed when I could see my refelction the lights were flickering on and off, irregularly and some days they'd work just fine. The wee orange lights that straddle the main white headlights comeon just fine as soon as the ignition is engaged by the way. Now it has gotten 'worse' as my headlights are always off in pos 1. In position 2, the tail lights come on, the headlights are supposed to be on, but they are not, same as in pos 1. In position 3 everything works as it is supposed to... so this is not by any means an emergency as I do have headlight operation and thereby can drive my truck safely. But it's a pain in the ass, I tried checking fuses, and replaced what I thought was the right one, no difference. Since the lights work just fine in position 3 I assume there has to be an issue with the switch itself (its a rotary deal btw) what's the deal with Pos 1 and 2? I am mechanincal enough to change a switch or something but I don't know where to start. Little help? Any ideas? __________________ The Truth: Johnny Cash could have kicked Bruce Lee's ass if he wanted to. #3 in a series

04-09-2006, 01:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Plaid13 I want a Plaid crayon	sounds like it could be the switch or i think that truck would have some sort of a relay i think its called hidden somewhere. might want to go to a library or something and take a look at a shop manual to check how to test for that sort of thing. But since the lights still work when they are all the way on i would think it would be the switch. If the switch is cheap enough you could just change it and hope it fixes the problem. if not look in the shop manual to figure out how to test it. Have a big hammer and alot of duct tape handy just in case.

04-09-2006, 09:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
Anexkahn Crazy Location: whOregon	i cant remember for sure on a 91 ranger, but if the headlight switch is on the turn signal, or if the highbeam/lowbeam selector is on the turnsignal that is a good first place to look. i've replaced two turnsignal headlight switches because there was no headlights at all. There is also a relay for the DRL's but usually thats a complete fail thing if the contacts or coil burns out in it.

04-10-2006, 04:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
catback Psycho Location: North America	Do the high beams work when you turn the headlights on? If not I'd say there is a connection problem with the high beam wiring, if the high beam works fine when you turn the headlights on sounds like a DRL issue.