Headlight troubles.....Headlight relay ???

[Daytonatunnel]

My headlights just go off while driving, then back on, then off again. Sometimes they stay on for 5 minutes, sometimes 10 seconds. Thought it was the dimmer switch....NOPE. Wondering if there's a relay ? I do not hear any kind of a "click" when they go off, or come back on like I would expect a relay to do (unless it's under the hood). But I thought these cars were old enough to not have relays ? THANKS for any help.....

[KevinK]

My headlights just go off while driving, then back on, then off again. Sometimes they stay on for 5 minutes, sometimes 10 seconds. Thought it was the dimmer switch....NOPE. Wondering if there's a relay ? I do not hear any kind of a "click" when they go off, or come back on like I would expect a relay to do (unless it's under the hood). But I thought these cars were old enough to not have relays ? THANKS for any help.....

No relay, just replace the head light switch assembly. Classic failure mode on all Fords.

[MikeFleming]

Maybe add a set of relays especially if you have higher-power-than-stock bulbs installed. Don't know if this has the correct headlamp bulb connectors, but you get the idea.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/upd-34263

[Daytonatunnel]

Stock bulbs, new dimmer switch, no change. I thought it was a normal failure of the dimmer switch, but nope. So your saying the headlight switch (the one you pull out to turn them on) is the culprit ?

[MikeFleming]

Stock bulbs, new dimmer switch, no change. I thought it was a normal failure of the dimmer switch, but nope. So your saying the headlight switch (the one you pull out to turn them on) is the culprit ? Yes, usually it's the switch on the dash lower left. The high/low selector on the steering column usually isn't the issue.

Note you want the 9-pin switch for the SVO (fog lamp circuit). Also might look at the harness pigtail to be sure it's not too fried. I have a space pigtail harness available in the shop somewhere. THe pigtail is a PITA to change with hte dash in-place, but it can be done.

[Mike Croke]

I just built a relay harness for our SVO on New Year's Day. The morning drive was increasingly too much of a thrill ride with the headlights blinking on/off.

I used two relays from NAPA and trigger the relays from the original harness. If someone ever wants to put this car back to original, the harness can be removed in a few minutes.

An added bonus is how much brighter the lights are now. Without the relays, the lamps were only getting 9.7V at the connectors even with a 3G alternator.

[Daytonatunnel]

THANKS as always for the help guys !!!