Hi there, I have only had my Ranger a little over a year, and enjoy it. However, last night I was on my way home from work (2 a.m.) and dash/headlights went out completely. I am presuming the tail lights did too, but I didn't check...to busy trying to stop on the backroad I was on. Engine was still running, radio was still on, and after about 10 sec. they came back on. They stayed on the rest of the 25 miles home.

Has anyone had this happen? What is the issue? Any thoughts would be appreciative...my initial thought is either the switch itself is on its way out and/or there is a loose bad connection on the switch.

 

It's always helpful if you put the year of your truck in the post, that way we don't have to check your profile and assume that's the truck you are working on.

Your profile says 1999

Fuse box under the hood, check fuse #11 it's a 15amp, make sure the fuse and connections are free of corrosion.

 

Classic alien abduction story. They weren't out 10 seconds.... it was 4 hours.

Yeah, I'd start the arduous task of looking for an intermittent connection. They can be a pain.

 

you are right I shoulda put more detail about my truck. My bad

 

Did you try turning the main light switch off and on?
And did it start to work again after a few attempts?

Just wonder about the "they came back on after 10sec"

My "Guess" is main light switch issue, for sure check fuses for corrosion
The exterior lights have full time power they are not controlled by key on or off so no connection to the ignition switch or any other systems not even the Body Computer, the GEM

So problem will be the Fuse, wire from fuse to light switch, or the light switch, not wiring going OUT of the main switch because all lost power, so has to be on the Power IN side

 

I didn't try turning them on/off but I did go to flip them to high beam....as my old dodge that was the only way to fix. Turned out it was the dimmer switch on that vehicle.

 

And did the high beams work?

The "flash to pass" ones(pulling back on turn signal stalk), these have power from the same fuse 12 in engine bay as main light switch, but doesn't go THRU the main light switch, so available any time lights off or on
If flash to pass didn't work then it is the fuse connection or power wire out of that connection

 

High beams didn't come on...fuse box isn't in the engine compartment its just behind the dash access panel when door is open. Also I don't have a fuse 12 at all

 

There are two fuse boxes, one in the cab and one in the engine bay, look for a long black box and open the cover, fuse and relays are inside

You can get your 1999 Owners Manual here: https://www.ranger-forums.com/genera...1-models-3747/

It will show you where the fuse boxes are, and what fuses are for what

 

Found the one you are referring to and fuse checks out okay. So I guess I'm wire hunting.

 

bump....happened again for the first time since the original time.
flipped to high beam...no go
pulled back on turn signal stalk...they came on.

Now interesting thing. went over a bump in the road...lights flickered out and came back on immediately.
However, they went out a few minutes later and pulled on the stalk they came on...three times in less than 5 minutes. Switch worked every time.