The headlights on my truck do not work. The running lights work, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, and just about all the other lights work. Hazards actually don't work either. Any ideas? The bulbs are brand new from the guy I bought the truck from. I checked continuity on the headlight switch AND dimmer switch and they both seem to work fine, minus the hazards I guess. I tested power at the headlamp plugs and there was 12 volts! Could the connector or bulb be bad? The new ones are pretty nice and are the right part #.

 

With 12v verified (with a load, preferably!), I'd start looking for a bad ground.

 

I will do that, thank you.

 

Been looking around for a while, the ground look okay. But one of my bulbs looked damaged inside its connector port, so I will replace them. They looked so nice so I assumed they weren't the problem, but at least one is not working because of the bulb itself.

 

Did you check voltage with just a meter, or did you check it with a meter with a load? Having voltage is one thing.... being able to sustain it if there's a poor connection in the supply is another. As an electrician, I've seen my fair share of 'good' fuses according to a continuity tester, but won't pass a fraction of an amp under load.

 

I checked with just a meter, how would I go about testing with a load? I am pretty bad at electrical work.

 

Hook up the headlight.

 

Where is the best place to get a voltage reading while the headlight is hooked up? I can't find a spot on the socket.

 

I simply drive a sewing needle into the conductor. You'll need a thimble to do this.

 

Interesting, I will try that. Thanks.

 

In the wet areas of a vehicle, I seal it back up by cleaning the area well and a dab of silicon.

 

Yes. sewing pins are handy to pierce wire's insulation to test voltage or OHMs, you can buy probes with needle tips just for that use

Good to include the YEAR of your Ranger when posting a question

Profile says 1992?

1994 and earlier Rangers have TWO Flasher units, one for turn signal and one for 4-ways
The 4-way flasher is the same model as turn flasher but its on the BACK of the cab fuse box, turn flasher is on the front, the round thing

Headlight low beam power comes from the Main Light switch and runs out to the Turn signal stalk(multi-function switch), then out to the head light low beam bulbs

High beams have power all the time AT the turn signal stalk, the "flash to pass" feature, so you can flash or turn on High Beams anytime, Main light switch can be on or off, doesn't matter
So see if high beams work, if you pull the stalk towards you high beams should come on, the flash feature, if you push the stalk away from you it should lock in forward position and high beams will stay on

4-way switch is also part of the turn signal stalk, this is why its called the "multi-function" switch, it controls alot of lights, lol, including turn signals and wipers

I assume you have pulled out and checked fuses in cab and engine fuse boxes

 

Thank you for the info, I did not know about the 4 way flasher. It is in fact a 1992. Just checked the high beams, they do not work. Stalk pushed forward, pulled back, with main switch on or off. The high beam indicator on the dash turns on, and I DID get a 12v reading (without load) at the connector for high beam power when they were turned on.

Turn signals and wipers work too, not entirely sure how the 4 way flasher works, if some things on it can fail or not.

One of the bulbs are definitely bad, there is a big burn mark on the silicon that I didn't see since I was mostly testing from one side. Are the headlights connected in series or anything lol because all I can think of would be if there is not 12v with a load, which I haven't tested yet. Because there is literally 12 volts at the connector without testing with load.

I did check all fuses.

 

Well, my intelligence can prove to be extremely lacking. I put in new bulbs and they work. I just bought this truck, it was sitting, the old "new looking" ones must have gotten moisture in them or something. Genius.