1999 Ford Explorer Malfunction - Electrical & Lighting Systems

Question: The driver side low beam doesn't work. I first replaced the bulb with no change i then switched out the bulb from the other side and have the same problem. Both high beams work and the passanger low beam works. All other lights, instrumental panel lights, including the dimmer and auto sense. I replaced the switch a few months back that is in the turn signal column. And i tested this new switch and it works fine according to the ford sevice repair cd that i have. Fuses check out fine ... bypass all wiring and the light the works on high and low... can't figure out where to check now.... any advice would be of great help

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Technican: Hello, Does your owner's manual give you a map of relays as well as fuses? What have you used to check for voltage and ground at the bulb connector? Have you verified that the power never gets to the bulb connector? Are the terminals in the connector in good condition and not backed out where contact could not occur? Please advise.

Owner: yes i used a voltmeter to check for voltage at the connector. There are three wires.. i assume one is for the high beam and one is for the low beam. and the other is ground. Both have power only when the high beam is turned on. and neither hows power when the low beam is turned on. The relays are in the power distribution box under the hood

Technican: I'm going to get a wiring schematic and see what should power the left low beam. Ground won't change but power sure should, one wire for low beam, the other for the high beam. I'll get the color code for the wiring, too. Do you have the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs)? Back tomorrow,

Owner: yes there is DRL's

Owner: Sorry I misstated the year it is a 1997 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer Edition

Technican: I'll have to go back to get the 1997 info. No big deal, we both want it right.

Owner: ok

Technican: Wow! This is wild. The voltage leaves the headlamp switch and goes through the dimmer switch (Multi-function switch) to fuse #4 (Interior Fuse Panel) then to the left headlamp low beam on the WHT/LT GRN wire. This means that if you have power (headlights "ON") going into the multifunction switch RED/Yellow wire Pin #2 it should exit the multi-function switch on the RED/BLK wire Pin #3 on it's way to Fuse #4. With headlamps on do you have power at Fuse #4? No? Bad multi-function switch. Yes? Wiring problem between Fuse #4 and the headlamp. Do you have a FAX number? Later this evening I can FAX schematics.

Owner: thanks Yes i do have power at the number 4 fuse reading around 8.5v with head lamps on and with the key in the ignition turned to the on position.. i do have a fax it is 510-245-3095 so when the wire leaves fuse number four where does it go straight to the headlamp or does it stop or connect somewhere else along the way..

Technican: I'll send you this fax. We didn't talk about if the vehicle has "AUTOLAMPS". Do you have "Lamp Out Warning"? If so, The power leaving the multi-function switch on the RED/BLK wire will run to fuse #8 (interior fuse panel) and then to the Lamp out Warning Module (in instrument panel console) then to the left headlamp. Is fuse #8 powered-up? Look over the fax,

Owner: yes there is a check lamp light on instrument panel i will go check fuse 8 now... when i check the fuse should i be checking with one probe to fuse and the other to ground or both probes to the fuse?

Technican: One probe to ground, the other probe to each side of fuse #8 to test for voltage into and out from the fuse.

Technican: Please tell me about what time I may send this fax to you. My machine is still trying but gets "No response or Busy".

Owner: gee forgot about the fax give me thirty and i ll have it plugged in ok... as far as voltage coming from number 8 fuse there is 11.64 present...

Owner: when attaching one probe to ground the best place in that area would be where.. I am assuming any part of the chasis should work ..or does each area have a place where the grounds are connected and thats where i should be connecting... I know that sounds stupid....

Technican: OK... 11.64 on both sides of fuse #8. Most any place on the chassis should be a decent ground so long as you can get to unpainted metal. Many painted surfaces work also, but you'll find you may have to scratch with the probe to establish a good connection for your probe. Grounds are zoned so as to save wire length and of course weight. All grounds lead back to the battery through the body and frame. From Fuse #8 power goes to the Lamp Out Warning Module (in instrument panel console)terminal pin #1, changes color and comes out from the module on pin #11 DK BLU/WHT wire and runs to a point (I can't tell if connector or junction block) where it changes color back to WHT/LT GRN and goes to the headlamp. I was away for a few hours so I missed the 30 minute time suggestion to send the fax. May I send it now?

Technican: Can you set a time you'd like to receive a fax? I'd like to send this wiring diagram for your review.

Owner: yes i applogize for the fax mishap, but it seems it is on the blink.. I should have given you my internet fax number which would have made it a sure thing and that you can send anytime without waiting for it to be plugged up the number is 209-879-5041. So last tested the fuse #8 both terminals to ground show voltage.... I really suck sometime when it comes to reading those wiring diagrams but i ll give it my best shot..

Technican: Just follow the circuits as though they were a road map not drawn to scale. Have you located the Lamp Out Module in the console? Fax to follow,

Technican: Too long since I've heard from you...how are you doing with this repair?

Technican: Will you please update the status of this question?

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