1997 Headlight issues
 

Just looking for some opinions.. it's a 97 4.0L v6 ranger.. So yesterday I didnt turn my headlights on at all, got home after work, went inside then my gf texted me saying my lights were on. I go out, switch is in the off position, lights on.. I disconnected the negative from battery, then hooked back up and lights stayed off, but now when off the indicator for high beams is constantly on the dash, same with when it's in the aux light (middle selection).. lights are working properly, havent touched anything electrical..

do you think it would be the headlight switch itself decided to go? Pulled the negative off the battery over night so I didnt wake up to a dead batter..Any help or direction would be appreciated! Thanks!

No, if its just high beams that are on then problem is in the Multi-function switch(turn signal stalk)

Pull out fuse #33 in cab fuse box, this is the high beam fuse, not for headlight low beam, they would still work with this fuse pulled out

High beams always have 12v so you can flash high beams even with headlight switch off

(Maxi fuse 11 in engine fuse box)12v-------------multi-function switch--------------fuse 33-----------------high beams and dash high beam indicator

Fuse 11 in the engine fuse box is for all head lights, low and high beam

Just pulled the 33 in cab fuse box, high beams went out but the dash high beam indicator is on... it's not that the high beams are always on, its the high beam indicator is on when lights n truck r off, worried about the slow battery drain.. also pulled the maxi 11 fuse and all lights stay on?

* just checked owner manual, says maxi 11 is horn, maxi 4 is headlamps *

Then high beam indicator bulb is probably being used as a ground for another 12v source

Wiring diagram below
There is a MISTAKE on this diagram, high beam bulb is powered from C215 pin6, NOT C214

Put fuses in and turn on High beams, then turn off high beams and see if the indicator bulb gets dimmer, if so it is being used as a ground by another circuit
And this would have to be between fuse 33 and the cluster, or pulling fuse 33 would cut it off

Added head light diagram just in case

Questions:

Does the high bean indicator go through the Multi-Function Switch ?

Would it be worth while to try another or new Multi-Function Switch and see what happens.

As RonD stated, grounding through the High Beam Indicator, sounds like you need to check out your Cab to Motor and the Cab to Frame grounds, won't hurt.

RonD, Thinking out Lous here, can a bad ground cause the High Beam relay to actuate ? Ford and their Ground Switched Circuits.

No relay, just direct power to both high beam bulbs and indicator on same wire from multi-function switch but thru fuse 33

So if indicator light is on with fuse 33 pulled then problem is most likely in cluster or cluster wiring

I have the fuses in, switching from high beams on to off there is no dimming, stays fully lit up.. Its just so odd, the headlights were on while the switch was off.. then pulling the negative on battery made headlights off but high beam indicator on..

OK, wait............confused

You said the High Beam "lights" were OFF(with switch off) and indicator was on?

If high beams are ON and so is indicator when switch is OFF then its the multi-function switch, but fuse 33 should cut power to both, lights and indicator

Yes, if you take off a battery cable there is no power for any lights, or anything else, indicator can not stay on

I'm wondering what is having a ground problem, and what with enough amperage, to light up the high beam lights ?

Lennong,
What odes your battery chassis ground look like... ?

Just thinking out loud, if the Multi-Function Switch prove wrong, this will give you more to look at ! LoL !