I have a similar situation as JGR1974. Here's the details

93 Ford ranger 2.8 L 4 Cyl

Got it.
Drove it at night and the lights cut out. Wiggled the headlight switch a LOT and they came back on. I THINK the wiggling is what made them come back on. Once when they went off I tried wiggling the Multifunction switch (bright/turns/wipers) a LOT and it didn't seem to help.

So I changed the headlight switch. Everything seemed ok.

Then when i would use the lights at night after starting it the belt would squeal a bunch and the volt meter on the dash would drop below 12v. This would go for a minute or so, until it seemed to warm up, and then the voltage would come up and the belt would stop squealing.

Then coming home last night (here's the good part) the check engine light comes on. In the morning it won't start ! So I pop the hood and there is power steering fluid (I think) coming out of the hole in the cap and hitting the hood. This IS a new problem. Can't really see how it's related though!

So, here's what I've checked.

I push started it and checked the voltage at the battery: 14.4 seems good.

Checked the dome light (for the first time as the bulb was not in it) and discovered voltage to it at all time. Engine on or off, door open or closed, headlight switch dome control on or off.

Noticed when I would have squeally belt that hitting the brakes would make the voltage drop occur also. So i checked the brake light voltage. It's ok when I hit the pedal (14.4) But when my foot is off the pedal and the lights are off it would read .03 volts to the bulb. the reverse and turn signal bulbs both read 0.00.

So, what's the deal? A short somewhere? Probably, but where do i begin to look?
I don't have a glovebox light!
Change the multifunction switch anyways?
Brake light switch?
Short up in the ceiling?

Thanks in advance for any help
Jimi

 

Bad ground(s) and frozen belt tensioner spring.

 

Bump