Bulbs In Headlamp Switch

[Eurythmian]

Question: Are the small icons which indicate the different positions of the headlamp switch supposed to light up when turned on like everything else on the dash? The dimmer scale illuminates... so I'm thinking these should as well.

If they are supposed to light up, are there bulbs which can replaced or does the switch need to be replaced? I found the diagram and instruction on how to get to everything and replace the switch...

Thanks for the help.

 

[joegr]

The four at the top are. Usually, they use bulbs in holders that twist in from the back. I don't know if that is the case here.

 

[Eurythmian]

I pulled the front pannel off and then popped the wood plate off which holds the switches by their clips. It appears it is all self contained and I will need to replace the switch. Does anyone know if this is actually what I will need to do before I order a $65.00 part because it's lights quit working?

 

[1LoudLS]

just went and checked out on my 03, the only thing that lit up was the dimmer scale and there is a light for when the fogs are on.

 

[joegr]

just went and checked out on my 03, the only thing that lit up was the dimmer scale and there is a light for when the fogs are on.

They do light up on my 06 (checked last night). I haven't checked to see if they do on my 04. In any event, if they do stop lighting up, I won't do anything about it. It's not like you need to see them at night to correctly use the switch.

My Grand Marquis did it right. The illumination for the light switch was on anytime the key was on. On the LS, the light switch illumination comes on after you turn the switch on. What's the point, you already found the switch to turn it on anyway?

 

[1LoudLS]

On the LS, the light switch illumination comes on after you turn the switch on. What's the point, you already found the switch to turn it on anyway?

that is kinda silly, but its got me wondering if they are burnt out, i might have to rip it apart to check, i just dont like the ideal of something not working like it is supposed to.

 

[Eurythmian]

Exactly! If they are supposed to light up then they should be illuminated when on. Besides, I use the auto feature and don't mess with the switch because it feels a bit cheap to me. I've turned them on manually before and the headlamps/exterior lamps all light up but the dash did not. This has happened a couple times... so I've left it to the auto slection.

Going to order a new switch...

 

[1LoudLS]

I've turned them on manually before and the headlamps/exterior lamps all light up but the dash did not. This has happened a couple times

i'm pretty sure that the dash light will not turn on unless the light sensor says that it is dark enough, even when set on a manual setting.

 

[joegr]

i'm pretty sure that the dash light will not turn on unless the light sensor says that it is dark enough, even when set on a manual setting.

I wish it worked that way, but it's certainly not true for either my 04 or 06. On either, if you turn the headlights on in bright sunlight, the dash illumination comes on. The problem is that it makes the vacuum florescent displays too dim to read, as well as the nav display.

For those wondering, I turn the lights on in bright daylight because of fog. They turn themselves on in daylight when the wipers are turned on. That's just as well since the law here requires them to be on in the rain anyway.