Help please, Electric goes out!

[Fiver]

Hi there. My first time on this site and I'm happy to say my first vehicle is a new (old) 91 Bronco /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Now the problem -

Sometimes when I start it up, I'll have no electrics (no headlamps, lights in the car) except for the 'ABS' light on the dashboard. I also still have my hazards and brake lights continue to work. Then I hit a bump in the road and all of a sudden I get the lights back, then another bump and they're off again. I was wondering if anyone could help a first timer out?

(I have searched the site, but did not find a topic quite so specific. Sorry if it resembles another post)

Thanks for any help given.

 

[Seabronc]

Welcome to the Zone /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

About the only thing that is common between the head lamps and the instrument lights is the Main Light Switch.

Good luck,

 

[miesk5]

yo,

I'm w/Seabronc.. Check that switch and it's connector and wiring closely asap

because of;

Switch Fires, Part Number SW-2103: "...Over the past two years, this office has experienced fires caused by another potential problem in Ford vehicles. The problem exists within the dimmer portion of the headlight switch in Ford vehicles. The light switch involved is a Model SW-2103. These are the pull out type headlight switches usually located in the lower left corner of the front dash of Ford vehicles. The headlight portion of the switch has two pullout positions, the first for parking lights only, and fully out for headlights and parking lights. The shaft of this pull-out light switch can be turned clockwise and counterclockwise which activates a dimmer switch, lowering and raising the intensity of the lighting in the instrument panels respectively. Fully rotating the shaft counterclockwise past a notch activates the interior lights within the vehicles. The potential problem exists within the dimmer portion of this switch. The dimmer mechanism consists of a metallic resistive coil set inside a ceramic disc positioned over the shaft of the switch. The coil is exposed on its front side away from the passenger compartment. The front side of the coil passes across a contact permitting a current to flow through a certain portion of the coil when the switch is pulled our in its first or second positions. The greater amount of coil through which the current is permitted to pass (clockwise most position) creates the greatest resistance and therefore dims the dash lighting to its lowest intensity. The opposite position provides greatest intensity. Through our investigations, we have found that the coil can fail owing to wear and/or possible material defects or damage. A fractured coil can maneuver itself free of the ceramic disc permitting it to come in contact with the metal bracket which mounts and grounds the switch to the vehicle. When this occurs, a current can flow through a portion of the coil creating high temperatures melting the metal material of the coil and possibly igniting surrounding combustibles. This mechanism has been observed in three separate incidents by this office. Two of these resulted in a fire. The mechanism is precipitated by wear and/or defect in the coil mechanism. If the former is true, we expect there will be an increase in fires caused through this mechanism given an increase in service time. To this date the problem appears to be somewhat limited. However, this particular light switch has been utilized in numerous Ford vehicles. Therefore, a small increase in failure rate owing to age and wear could result in a significant increase in fire losses. The SW-2103 Light Switch Assembly discussed above is reportedly installed in the following Ford vehicles: 1986 -1997 F100, F150, F300; 1990-1994 Explorer; 1987-1994 Ranger; 1987-1990 Bronco II; 1992-1997 Aerostar..." Miesk5 NOTE: No Bronco Listed, but this may be the result of typos or incomplete research by the company. So see the Ford info below. Source: by waltersforensic.com

Buyer's Guide Results by FORD @ http://www.fordparts.com/Commerce/InterchangeableGuide.aspx?part=SW-2103

Ford may have built other year Broncos with this switch due to non-availability of other switches

Part Number: SW2103

Description: Headlight Switch

Manufacturer: Motorcraft

Years: 1990-1994

Applications: 535

Years; Make; Model; Engine; Qty per Vehicle

1992-1994 Ford Bronco All Engines 1

1990 Ford Bronco II All Engines 1

1990 Ford E-150 Econoline All Engines 1

1990 Ford E-250 Econoline All Engines 1

1990 Ford E-350 Econoline All Engines 1

1990 Ford ****** All Engines 1

1991-1994 Ford Explorer All Engines 1

1992-1994 Ford F Super Duty All Engines 1

1992-1994 Ford F-150 All Engines 1

1992-1994 Ford F-250 All Engines 1

1992-1994 Ford F-350 All Engines 1

1990-1994 Ford F53 All Engines 1

1990-1994 Ford F59 All Engines 1

1990-1994 Ford Ranger All Engines 1

 

[Fiver]

Thanks for that, it's really useful. It sounds like that may indeed be the switch that I have. I'm not sure how to go about changing that up... (I only know that basics of car servicing!) Any suggestions on how to go about fixing this? Should I just take it to a shop or does someone know an easy fix? I've taken off the plate under the steering wheel to reveal the fuses and wiring close to the switch, but cant quite see the light switch wiring.

Again, any help is much appreciated and thanks for the help given.

 

[miesk5]

yo,

yw

Switch Connector Location Behind Dash in a 90



Source: by Seattle FSB (SeattleFSB) at SuperMotors.net

Next pics are by Alvin in his 91;

HDLIGHT Switch **** removal; press the button on the top+front of the light switch then gently

wiggle and pull the **** plus its stem out or pull the **** off the stem

Switch pic @ http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/switch.jpg

**** w/shaft, etc @ http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/coverhardware.jpg

Hopefully,someone will add how to remove the switch for inspection/tests

 

[Fiver]

Thanks, that really helps. I can't get past the bloody face plate > /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

The actual knobs to the light switch and windshield wipers are blocking it from coming off and I dont want to damage them (putting yet another problem on top of things)

 

[Seabronc]

Thanks, that really helps. I can't get past the bloody face plate > /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

The actual knobs to the light switch and windshield wipers are blocking it from coming off and I dont want to damage them (putting yet another problem on top of things)

You need a L shaped pick. There is a pressure clip inside the **** the needs to be released. Place the pick behind the **** and pull toward you. They should both come off. Then after removing the bezel the switch is held on by a nut. Remove the nut and slide the switch out the back.

Good luck,

 

[Fiver]

Thanks, you guys are all a great load of help!

 

[Fiver]

Managed to get the light switch **** off, but the idiotic previous owner obviously broke the windshield wiper so they've cleverly cemented the **** back on :angry: so now ive either got to saw the **** off and glue it back on or cut the cover plate large enough to remove over the **** (its a beat up bronco, im not looking to win any beauty contests)

... THE PAIN

 

[miesk5]

yo,

Saw it off.

I have a Dremel and it worls well in these sits.

btw, does thos refelct your years's panel correctly?

Dash Parts Break-Out Diagram in an 87 w/out nomenclature Source: by Dustin S (Dustball, Mellow Yellow, Mr. Laser Boy

 

[Seabronc]

Get a new switch. Use a pair of ***** to snip the shaft on the light switch. You can get a new **** from a junk yard or from Jeff''s http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-27129-oem-light-switch-****-chrome.html . Jeff's offers a 2% discount for BZ members, enter discount code BZMEMBER and you user ID to get the discount.

Good luck,

 

[Fiver]

Thanks guys, great help. I actually ended up taking a lighter to the ****. One semi- melted windshield wiper later and I managed to get to the main light switch.

I fiddled with it for a couple minutes, mainly looked at the resistor. The odd the is that the lights started to work again. I went driving over bumps and they stayed on as opposed to when it was fixed in place. Does this confirm that it was the actual light switch causing the problem?

I'm going to a U-pull-it yard to get another one or should I buy a new one?

Thanks again for all the help you guys!

 

[miesk5]

yo,

I'd wait, but then your lights will prob. go out again when you need them the mostest; or go to you-pull & get one and install it and find out it was one of the fire prone type; or...

Looks like it was the connector to switch area; any corrosion or film on the terminals?

I'd wait unless you want to get a new or yard **** too.

 

[Fiver]

I had a look at the resistor and it looks safe. I can see what they mean about it coming loose and being a potential fire hazard. I drove it home lat night and the lights held true so I think I'll leave it in and just clean around that area. I'll get a spare from a yard just in case.

I'll keep up to date if more problems persist, but thanks for all the help guys. This site is great and I'll definitely bookmark it for the future!

 

[miesk5]

yo,

Great!

 

[nine milly]

Hi there. My first time on this site and I'm happy to say my first vehicle is a new (old) 91 Bronco /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

Now the problem -

Sometimes when I start it up, I'll have no electrics (no headlamps, lights in the car) except for the 'ABS' light on the dashboard. I also still have my hazards and brake lights continue to work. Then I hit a bump in the road and all of a sudden I get the lights back, then another bump and they're off again. I was wondering if anyone could help a first timer out?

(I have searched the site, but did not find a topic quite so specific. Sorry if it resembles another post)

Thanks for any help given.

i had that same problem today no power windows no radio?? pull the fuse clean them and the panel where it plus in works fine..