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Here's the background. I have a '96 Contour with 130,000 miles. Runs great but when I turn on the head lights none of the interior lights turn on. If I open any of the doors the courtesy lights come on. All other indicators on the dash work. All of the outside lights come on too. At first the interior lights would flicker a minute before coming on. Then they would slowly brighten. Then I had to move the interior main fuse panel up and down and they would come on. Now none of them work.
At first I thought it was a bad light switch and replaced it. Then it looked like a sporatic open on one of the wires to the fuse panel. Still not sure. I have tried wiggling the wires to the fuse panel but it doesn't affect it. I also noticed that the Key-In alarm isn't working nor the Lights-On alarm after the vehicle is shutdown. Disconnected the fuse panel and examined it last night. There are two connectors that seem to be overheating because the plastic around them is disformed. They are on opposite ends and sides on the panel. One is on the underside, it is the red wire on the red and green wire connector. The other is on the long bar on the top closest to the relays. I believe it is the one almost at the top colored Orange/White. Not sure if it is related though. And yes, I did check the fuse. Even tried a different fuse (one known to be good). I checked the two connectors going to the cluster to make sure they were seated.
Could I have a bad bulb in the instrument cluster? Help! And thanks!
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Joined: Jul 2001
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It seems like you've done alot of troubleshooting already but you didn't mention whether or not you've checked the dimmer. It's located on the dashboard, around the area of the wiper switch. If you already did that, I apologize for not being of any more help. good luck
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 134
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Originally posted by outdoorxman:
Here's the background. I have a '96 Contour with 130,000 miles. Runs great but when I turn on the head lights none of the interior lights turn on. If I open any of the doors the courtesy lights come on. All other indicators on the dash work. All of the outside lights come on too. At first the interior lights would flicker a minute before coming on. Then they would slowly brighten. Then I had to move the interior main fuse panel up and down and they would come on. Now none of them work.
At first I thought it was a bad light switch and replaced it. Then it looked like a sporatic open on one of the wires to the fuse panel. Still not sure. I have tried wiggling the wires to the fuse panel but it doesn't affect it. I also noticed that the Key-In alarm isn't working nor the Lights-On alarm after the vehicle is shutdown. Disconnected the fuse panel and examined it last night. There are two connectors that seem to be overheating because the plastic around them is disformed. They are on opposite ends and sides on the panel. One is on the underside, it is the red wire on the red and green wire connector. The other is on the long bar on the top closest to the relays. I believe it is the one almost at the top colored Orange/White. Not sure if it is related though. And yes, I did check the fuse. Even tried a different fuse (one known to be good). I checked the two connectors going to the cluster to make sure they were seated.
Could I have a bad bulb in the instrument cluster? Help! And thanks!
so you say u replaced the door switches? check them to see if they are corroded. if so, take some sand paper and clean the edges
f250 4x4 muddin anyone?
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Joined: Sep 2002
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Sounds like your alarm system is partially disconnected. That will afect alot of different eletrical functions in your car. I had almost the same thing happen to mine after discovering that the previous owner had an alarm but it was torn out under the dash and it caused all kind of shorts. Not saying this is your problem but most alarm systems connect to the ignition and the ignition is tapped in to the major eletrical systems.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Welcome onboard.
Perplexing problem which sounds like loose, possibly arcing connection around fuse panel. I would discount bad bulb since there are many involved. A few questions:
Is fuse 31 7.5 amp the one you checked and confirmed as OK?
Are pw and pl switch lights on doors working?
Rear license plate lights?
Intermittent wiper speed and w/s washer functions OK?
You have replaced headlight switch? There was recall on switch/connections thereto, latter causing heat build up. Don't know if your year of car involved or not, my '97 was recalled.
Any recent work in dash area, e.g. radio?
I can't relate to your description of wires/connectors at fuse panel and Winter temp precludes me looking at my own for comparison. However, answer above and I'll keep an eye for your post and see if we can work this thru' since I have '97 wiring manual as a reference.
98 Mystique LS v6 atx 163,000km
97 Contour LX v6 atx 163,000km
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Joined: Jan 2003
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OP
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Checked the dimmer switch. It's set to high.
All the door switches work. If a door is opened the courtesy lights under the dash and the dome light come on.
I have an alarm that was installed by the dealer way back when. Nothing has changed in the dash. Same factory premium sound unit. I think I am up to date on all of the recalls too.
All of the switches (lock and window)in all of the doors work but don't illuminate. Fuse 31 is definitely 7.5 amp. Wiper/washer and rear license plate lamps work.
My Haynes manual shows different color codes for the wires than actual colors.
It seems that all interior illumination that occurs when the headlights are turned on is not working. I feel like I am driving in stealth mode but I can't find that switch on the dash. lol
If needed I can try to take some pics this weekend of the fuse panel and post them. If I get time I will also check the resistance of the dimmer switch.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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I'm having the same problem with the interior lights of my '96 with 80K+ miles. It started about 1 week ago. I've searched around this site and found that the Mega Fuse may be the culprit here and attempting to replace it. But first I must fine the location of it (I've posted in another thread in the Troubleshooting section...
My symptons are:
Car started normally. A second or two later I switch on the lights and there is no response - no corner lamps, no headlights, no interior lights (speedometer, shifter, tach, etc.) I tried putting the switch in off and on for 5+ times and no luck. Maybe 30 seconds after last attempt, corner lamps come on. Then the headlights come on but not with normal brightness. Then headlights brightened to normal brightness. Then interior dashboard lighting came out but in reduced amount. I adjusted dimmer thinking it may be set low but made no difference. A few seconds later the interior lights came on fully. Then it would grow dark and go back to normal. The last few days all the lights have come back on but I noticed the same growing dark and getting bright again in the interior lights as well. Also, the interior lights flicker when in motion. I've checked fuse #31 and it's fine.
Last edited by nextmoon; 01/16/03 07:02 PM.
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Power goes thru fuse 31 and splits three ways at/in fuse panel:
-O/BK wire from a 10 terminal connector to licence lamps, you've confirmed these as ok.
-O/W wire directly to dimmer from another 10 terminal connector.
-O/BL wire from another 10 terminal connector to door switch illumination via various connectors.
My manual says all 3 connectors are black
There is no diagram of internal wiring, if any, of the fuse panel in manual.
Wiper/wash test was a check of portion of timer module which performs a variety of tasks including key-in and headlight on chimes. These may have separate from light problem, will leave to later.
No need for pic, I am familiar with fuse panel but may have to check to see connector locations/colors. Timer module BTW plugs into bottom of panel (before you swing it down).
Digest above and post
p.s. You never confirmed switch you replaced.
Last edited by horseydug; 01/16/03 10:48 PM.
98 Mystique LS v6 atx 163,000km
97 Contour LX v6 atx 163,000km
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Joined: Mar 2002
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Mega fuse if blown, or suffering from intermittent connection, affects battery charging only. Your problem seems indicative of faulty headlight switch or connections thereto which, as mentioned in my above post, were subject to a recall by Ford. Check your VIN at a Ford dealer for outstanding recall or extended warranty on headlight switch before troubleshooting further.
98 Mystique LS v6 atx 163,000km
97 Contour LX v6 atx 163,000km
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 22
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I looked up the recall and it matches my symptoms! I will definitely check with my local Ford dealer to have them check it out. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.
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