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1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Rael
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Nov 9, 2022, 6:45 AM
Post #1 of 17
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1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Good morning - Had a parasitic drain issue with this truck but have replaced the alternator and battery and that issue is corrected. Went to drive to town yesterday morning early and realized I now have no headlights at all or dash power. I know the fuse box is located in the compartment but it lists separate fuses for left and right head lights and I would assume another for the dash. I have not pulled them yet, will be going out there shortly. My question is, is there another place to check that could cause headlights and dash power to go out all at the same time or something that could have been shorted or missed when replacing the battery and alternator??
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 9, 2022, 8:12 AM
Post #2 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Do you have owner's manual? If not get one for this or find info on back of some covers.
It should say which is for what then a number. Test with a plain test light WHILE they should be on - no need to remove them yet see test light up both sides. Then take that one out and look at it if corroded may not make it thru IDK if good twist just a tiny bit so it's tighter.
There should be another fuse or box under the hood with a cover says what item is for what - most Fords did then.
It will mark if a breaker, relay associated in most plain owner's manuals
YOU may have a serious corrosion problem under the hood or back side of fuse boxes and need to check if this is exposed to a wild rain, sea salt spray, road salts if you weren't already pro-active this stuff is a problem. Spray stuff at least WD-40 or find drying silicone spray stop this or if bad they need replacing!
I'm not around much today - IDK Hammer may catch this what fuses headlights. Dash lighting should be inside - a guess some older Fords your cig lighter will quit too as a power port,
Tom
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 9, 2022, 8:19 AM
Post #3 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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You had the battery replaced. Check the battery terminals for the smaller wires that attach to them. Make sure you didn't damage one or leave it disconnected.
Also check the fusible links and/or maxi fuses, not sure which your truck uses.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Rael
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Nov 9, 2022, 8:19 AM
Post #4 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Yes, cig lighter does still work as does the radio but the console lights are out / headlights and I believe also the tach stopped working. I in Texas so not a rust or salt issue - has to have something to do with my replacing the battery and alternator because it worked fine before that???
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Rael
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Nov 9, 2022, 8:23 AM
Post #5 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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There is a yellow wire that is attached to the neg side of the battery - that could possible be the issue - I had no idea what it was for
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Tom Greenleaf
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Nov 9, 2022, 8:33 AM
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Out of here soon - that could be a blank for another if replaced since new OR for a ground to body metal if right off the U-bolt,
Tom
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Rael
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Nov 9, 2022, 8:36 AM
Post #7 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Thank going out to check it now - will post results here after
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Rael
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Nov 9, 2022, 8:46 AM
Post #8 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Alright this becomes more confusing by the day - Just went out there and checked and NOW the lights are working fine, started the truck and the dash is work also but yesterday there was nothing there when I shut it off in the driveway. It has to be a short somewhere but how do you track a short when it is not there.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 9, 2022, 9:09 AM
Post #9 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Check fuse #3 15A at the inside fuse box. Use a test light to test for power at both ends of the fuse,
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Rael
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Nov 9, 2022, 9:36 AM
Post #11 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Tested it and it is fine - cleaned the ends just to be on the safe side - Thank you
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Hammer Time
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Nov 9, 2022, 9:40 AM
Post #12 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Of course it is. The lights are working now. That has to be tested while the problem is present.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Nov 9, 2022, 10:58 AM)
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Rael
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Nov 9, 2022, 9:44 AM
Post #13 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Ok sorry - I guess I will just have to wait and see if the issue arises again - Thanks for the help
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Tom Greenleaf
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Nov 9, 2022, 10:41 AM
Post #14 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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So far so good. If you want look for spares that might be there, new or IDK. Put a touch of silicone grease on it. If new should still work and maybe stay that way.
Been a while a fuse you can see also can bust at an end of the loop thing inside and touch again and work but not blow it obviously.
ONLY USE RIGHT AMP FUSE! Color coded and say on them.
The inside fuse box is less likely IMO for corrosion but humid air, temp changes (this time of year, again in spring)
Been to Texas - Spring area of Houston OMG it can rain like a flood and flood as we see on news. Windshields can leak rubber if in sun too much over all these years see if rubber up top is cracking. Where drips go who knows?
A replacement windshield could be a clone see if name (they are marked) is OE or other or maybe nothing but marks to line it up.
It's rare to have an unbroken windshield all these years and rare to put an OE one in they cost lots more. IDK LOF, Carlite are two names you'll see on most. I have a leaking windshield on a '97 GM now, outdoor thing fixed with best grade electrical tape it works for now,
Tom (I'm in MA BTW all weather but steady dry hot of desert SW areas)
Tom
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Rael
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Nov 9, 2022, 11:02 AM
Post #15 of 17
(394 views)
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Thank you Tom - Yes this pass spring we got blasted with the rain - I am in East Texas - then the summer was HOT and totally dry now the past month or so the rain has been coming hard. Thanks for the information - have a good one bud
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 9, 2022, 11:52 AM
Post #16 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Yeah, I'm in "not so sunny" Southeast Florida. Just waiting on the hurricane, hoping not to lose power.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 9, 2022, 1:49 PM
Post #17 of 17
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Re: 1996 Ford Explorer XLT Headlights/Dash lights out?
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Rael + Hammer> I'm here for a bit.
Rael, it's possible to rain so hard drains normal for a car is like a flood even if not standing in water @ some point that just wrecks so much need to take out carpets NEVER DRY other stuff underside if over center of wheels wonder what sucked in water - sensors not meant for it.
Rael, it could have overwhelmed some items with constant power??
Bro in law was in Lafayette, LA for one a few years ago 13 FEET of rainfall Lafayette was an island where he was, I-10 impassible. People continue to try to drive thru deep water - just don't the damage or your life is at risk.
Hammer, hang in there last news was pretty sure it would be worst @ landfall around Melbourne will be here Friday-Saturday harsh rainfall and wind only. Around me can flood roads and underpasses drains clog LEAVES EVERYWHERE ARE DOWN NOW.
Stay safe I know high ground for FL is a parking garage this after that other huge area disaster strong hurricane not long ago.
So here they are frantically cleaning roads and many roads have drains to areas the wind 40-50 sucks but better leaves are down or trees fall everywhere is a nightmare.
It happens and may have to this Explorer crooks (still happens) snag totaled cars, clean them up take clean looking cars out of state and escape notice at first - takes a while sometimes to cause issues.
Sorry for the novel my boss + owner was trying to rescue cars went like an idiot (he knew better) to pull stalled cars out and his truck got so deep water over spark plugs of engine but he fixed that. Long ago now, later calipers froze up, trans was a pink milkshake drained right away didn't croak! It had no toys to go wrong but a starter motor is low (Chevy C-10) isn't water tight would ruin them.
At least that was clean water by chance as rain somewhat is vs muddy yuck the death of those vehicles.
So, that's a reason for your troubles and intermittent bull never ending with lots of toys.
Water and electric anything don't mix and don't fully dry out.
If you've had this a couple years it was borderline a flood vehicle.
This one might be OK and quit would need to know plain insane rain could now that cars/vehicles use the rubber on tailgates and doors.
The air for inside comes from where wipers are.
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The skinny is now see how hard it is to look at back sides of fuse boxes you won't know but the relay boxes are NOT watertight either for assorted things.
This needs looking at if recent enough to see if under carpet is still wet the moisture is killing it slowly if recently purchased there must be some history of where it came from Texas or known areas that had problems,
Tom (GOOD LUCK, BOTH OF YOU!)
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