Headlight problem fixed!

Hey there... just thought I would let you know what I discovered about my Ford. Because while I was looking for the cause of the problem I noticed some posts for the same problem (buried on page 6 or 7) but no solutions for it. So here goes...I have a 95 Windstar (any takers).... the headlights were not working properly. The DRL's would work, and the flash to pass lights would work, but no headlights, or constant high-beams. After much inspection, I determined that the multi-switch (turn signal/highbeam/wiper stick.... for the less mechanically minded) was faulty. However, I also noticed that the headlight ballast resistor(only on a ford) was broken (located beneath the passenger side headlight, mounted on top of the frame.) I replaced both these items, about $100 each, and all is good in the headlight world. Probably, the ballast resistor went first causing the multi switch to fail. Hope this helps out for somebody else.

Zoobie

Zoobie, thanks for sharing this info.

Should that read one dollar each??? can't believe it would be one hundred green backs each

yeah zoobie, zoobie hang on!!!

Golly, yes! It helped!!!


Muchas gracias!

Karl

Hi everyone


I was searching for solution on this problem and I saw this post. So yeah my 97 windstar also have the same problem where there isn't a headlight but driving lights works as the engine runs and also the highbeam(passing light or whatever) lights up as i pull that wiper stick. I took out the passenger side headlight a while ago and it took me a few minutes to figure out where to find that ballast resistor.....I found a white ceramic(broken of course) piece that has a connector(visible even the headlight is intack). S now i just want to ask if anyone can please confirm if that really is the ballast resistor?


The white ceramic piece is connected to some sort of connector that goes to wire loom which i believe connects to the headlights. This connector can be seen even if the headlight is in place. The white ceramic cannot be seen unless you take out the headlight assembly.

So please help me before i buy the wrong thing? Oh does it really cost $100 ?

thanks
Jun

Yes HB, I would say that that is the problem. The resistor is located under the passenger side headlight. So, replace it. However, that may not rectfy the problem right away... if you read my original post, the faulty resistor also caused the multi-switch(turn signal doo-hickey) to malfunction, so that may need to be replaced as well. And yes, to answer your question and someone elses previous one... yes, it did cost about $100 CAD, so in your neck o' the woods it may only run you around $60-$80 USD.... if have an auto parts dealer where you can get a discount, go for it.... but around here the headlight ballast resistor was only available at Ford.(In fact, the every auto-parts store I went to{3} had never seen one before... at least not on a car!!!)

Hope that helps!!

Zoobie

Hi everyone


I was searching for solution on this problem and I saw this post. So yeah my 97 windstar also have the same problem where there isn't a headlight but driving lights works as the engine runs and also the highbeam(passing light or whatever) lights up as i pull that wiper stick. I took out the passenger side headlight a while ago and it took me a few minutes to figure out where to find that ballast resistor.....I found a white ceramic(broken of course) piece that has a connector(visible even the headlight is intack). S now i just want to ask if anyone can please confirm if that really is the ballast resistor?


The white ceramic piece is connected to some sort of connector that goes to wire loom which i believe connects to the headlights. This connector can be seen even if the headlight is in place. The white ceramic cannot be seen unless you take out the headlight assembly.

So please help me before i buy the wrong thing? Oh does it really cost $100 ?

thanks
Jun

Hey Zoobie

Thanks for replying to my post. Good news to me and everyoneelse who got the same problem.......changing the "headlight ballast resistor" did fix the problem and headlights are working fine now. I didn't even replace the multi switch so i feel lucky. I bought the ballast resistor from a junkyard for $40 CND because when i phoned a local ford dealer, they say it was an obsolete part where they can't order no more(sound stupid but yeah).

When I replaced the ballast resistor I thought i would have to replace the multiswitch aswell because the headlight didn't work. I start the motor let it running for like 5 minutes with the headlight switch in on position but no luck....no headlight but driving lights work. So I quit and decided I will continue checking all the switch if there is power comming from it to the headlight wiring.....this weekend because it was cold 2 nights ago. But when we went to grocery and was driving for like 15 minutes I decided to switch on the headlight since it was getting dark(just a thought i would have a luck).......and surprisingly the headlights went on and everything works just fine...lowbeam, highbeam....everything. So that saved me more work and for the last 2 days everything are still working.

Correction on my previous post....the "headlight ballast resistor" can be seen and takeout without taking off the passenger side headlight. The ballast resistor is a "ceramic piece" which has a connector(with red wire on my 97 windstar) easily be seen behind the headlight. The resistor can be seen in a little hole almost hidden beneath the headlight but you can easily take the screw off that resistor using a socket wrench with extension which i think i used size 8 or 10 socket(can't remember I will correct once i check it again). And if you are buying this off a junkyard, make sure they will include the connector so you'll save time since it will just be plugin and screw in job.

Thanks to Zoobie for sharing this info. Appreciate it.

Jun




Yes HB, I would say that that is the problem. The resistor is located under the passenger side headlight. So, replace it. However, that may not rectfy the problem right away... if you read my original post, the faulty resistor also caused the multi-switch(turn signal doo-hickey) to malfunction, so that may need to be replaced as well. And yes, to answer your question and someone elses previous one... yes, it did cost about $100 CAD, so in your neck o' the woods it may only run you around $60-$80 USD.... if have an auto parts dealer where you can get a discount, go for it.... but around here the headlight ballast resistor was only available at Ford.(In fact, the every auto-parts store I went to{3} had never seen one before... at least not on a car!!!)

Hope that helps!!

Zoobie

Please see my thread for "how do I" replace this multi-stick:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=5660648#post5660648

Thanks ahead of time.