I feel so dumb for asking this involving the headlight switch...
 

Ok....so my headlite switch bulb has been burnt out the entire time i've owned the truck. I did the blue LED mod finally, and it now works.

Does the headlight switch light come on whenever the ignition switch is turned on?? Like when the engine is running w/o lights on, the switch light is on....is this normal??

My little brother can't remember as his burnt out @ 15,000mi and Mr. HarryTasker can't remember.

Thanks

Shane

Mine comes on whenever the truck is on...or ignition is on. If the key is in ACC

i bought my truck with 32,000 miles and i never even new it lit up. wtf. how much does a new bulb cost for that?

^^ very cheap its a cheap bulb thats why it burns out thats why they made the "LED" mod for it

I thought the H/L switch illumination bulb was "not serviced separately" as they like to say at the parts counter. Do you know a source for the OE bulb by itself, Zach?

where can i get this led?

i found out the # of the bulb quite a while ago back on GE i beleave its a standard bulb you can find. its been quite a long time though and being i DONT have a newer dash to go check i cant say off the top of my head anymore

you buy the LED's and solder them in...

i was just about to ask the same thing.

go to radio shack or www.superbrightleds.com, www.lsdiodes.com/shop or there are a couple other places online... here is the how to it will tell you exactly what to buy...
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/296394/12

MR JOHN GRIGGS aka N3elz better chime in....he's the led monster!!! I got my led mods from him at his cardomain.

I completely messed up my 4x4 switch bulb, my first one went beautiful, took the truck apart, can't find my first led modded one, made a second w/ my second radio bezel, messed up. Went to ford to see how much a new bulb is.................


....................



COMES ONLY WITH A NEW SWITCH!!! $70 or so he told me!!!!!!! Junkyard here i come, i think i'll pocket like 5 of these things. This makes me believe you must buy a new headlight switch from ford or LED your old one.


Thanks for the help you guys.

Shane

i bought my truck with 12 miles i didnt know it light up

The switch lights up whenever the ignition is on. That way you can find your lights in the dark...

I ordered a new truck in 02, and it had the factory headlight switch mod (switch does not illuminate). If I'm understanding this thread correctly, I have to replace the entire switch? Can someone please elaborate?

As for changing the bulb/switch, does anyone know if the knob then the switch can be removed, or do I have to take apart the dashboard? I really don't want to do that...

Thanks in advance.

I knew that thing had to light up but it never has, i will have to replace it or try to do the LED mod sometime...

Rocky

yea, u gotta take it all apart...

ive done it so many times it takes me about 15 min to tare it all apart lol


all you are doing is replacing the bulb

My '04 swicth was on all the time but not in my '03

That's good news, that it's only the bulb and not the entie switch.

I searched, but didn't find any resources for taking apart the dashboard. I could go buy a Hanes manual, but do you have any tips for taking the dash off? Or better yet, a link to a resource that will detail this process?

This is not the best explanation but it should get you started in the right direction:
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/tech/?p=109
There are also pictures but you must click the hyperlinks to see them.

Thanks Bob! That gets me a LOT closer. With some luck, my small hands, and some human pretzel moves, I may not need to remove anything other than the knee panel and backing plate. Hopefully!

i didnt know they were suppose to light up. my truck had 18 miles on it and has never lighten up i just figured it wasnt suppose to. I have to investage when it get warmer

i've been checking in new cars at the ford dealer for almost 3 years, and i think there has only been a few dozen rangers that the headlight switch lights up, right off the shipping truck!
I'm starting to think ford only installs the bulbs for certain trim packages, or atleast they put in bad bulbs[or use greasy fingers]

Mine never came on, I brought the truck new...

WTF :thumbsdow

I bought my truck off the showroom floor W/12 miles and i just went and looked and to my surprise it comes on with the key in any position other than off! Thats a new one for me. I guess you learn somthing new everyday!

yea the bulbs are pretty flimsy. now as far as i know all ranger's headlight switches are suppose to light up...now for the cruise control is another story...i have the bulbs and the wiring( probably not all of it) and i did the led mod and cant get it to work...i need a new clockspring...but not worth my trouble.