• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Bright Light Switch Works Backwards

  • Thread starter Thread starter Crimson Thunder
  • Start date Start date Dec 17, 2016
C

Crimson Thunder

Member
Dec 17, 2016
6
2
13
Dec 17, 2016
#1
  • Dec 17, 2016
  • #1
Hello, I'm the new owner of a bone stock 92 notch that I am going to use as a daily driver. I owned an 89 GT from 92 to 03 so I'm not exactly new to the Fox body.

The problem I am having is my bright light bulb on the dash is on all the time and the switch works backwards. The bright lights come on with the lever close to the steering wheel and the dims work with the lever back away from the wheel. Any ideas on how to fix this? Thanks
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
28,113
10,730
213
polk county florida
Dec 18, 2016
#2
  • Dec 18, 2016
  • #2
Crimson Thunder said:
Hello, I'm the new owner of a bone stock 92 notch that I am going to use as a daily driver. I owned an 89 GT from 92 to 03 so I'm not exactly new to the Fox body.

The problem I am having is my bright light bulb on the dash is on all the time and the switch works backwards. The bright lights come on with the lever close to the steering wheel and the dims work with the lever back away from the wheel. Any ideas on how to fix this? Thanks
Click to expand...
I would bet the switch has been changed once and the wires got ' unpinned' and just didn't get back in the correct holes. Maybe you can find the wiring diagram here or tmoss.
I could summon @jrichker to help if he is not to busy solving world problems and keeping birds from falling from the sky.
 
Reactions: jrichker

billison

I like tinted tail
15 Year Member
Feb 27, 2006
2,607
1,094
184
stl
Dec 18, 2016
#3
  • Dec 18, 2016
  • #3
I'm curious if the multifunction switch was swapped and they put an older one in. But that's a guess
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,813
234
Dublin GA
Dec 18, 2016
#4
  • Dec 18, 2016
  • #4
As suggested...

Multifunction turn signal switch:
Before you think about replacing the multifunction switch with one from the junkyard, here are some things to be aware of...

The problem is more common in GT models because they had fog lights on the same power wiring as the headlights. Ford undersized the wire and that caused problems.

A word of caution about multifunction switches is in order here. The multifunction switch (high/low beam, wiper, turn signals) are different for different years. 87-98 will work in any 87-89 car. The 90-93 switches only work in 90-93 cars. You can't put an early model switch in a late model car, nor can you put a late model switch in an early car.

Supposedly you can move the pins around to make the switches work in model years that are different from the car the switch came out of. I cannot verify that and haven’t tried it.

Other possible problem sources for the turn signal & headlight malfunction are the ignition switch, multifunction switch and the plastic shell that holds the turn signal wiring connector pins.

The following diagram is for 87-89 model cars.

Turn signal switch wiring:
The following diagram is for 90-93model cars.

Turn signal switch wiring:
 

General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
28,113
10,730
213
polk county florida
Dec 18, 2016
#5
  • Dec 18, 2016
  • #5
@jrichker is the man.
I think you can tell by the first couple letters/numbers of the ford part number as to what year/model it was made for but it may not be accurate for somethings.
 
C

Crimson Thunder

Member
Dec 17, 2016
6
2
13
Dec 19, 2016
#6
  • Dec 19, 2016
  • #6
Thanks for your help. looks like I have some investigating to do. The previous owner said he had to fix the tach. I wonder if he crossed something up.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Electrical Weird door wiring issues
  • Dakar09
  • Oct 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
4
Views
175
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 21, 2026
Dakar09
D
S
Electrical Foxbody Dash & Hazard lights not working
  • sjmcr
  • Jun 30, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
6
Views
797
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 27, 2025
Mindseye007
M
1996 GT Speedometer electrical nightmare
  • moon96gt
  • Oct 7, 2026
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
150
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Oct 17, 2026
CAMTWO1070
1
Electrical 1985 mustang gt Led conversion trouble
  • 1985fox
  • Jan 5, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
10
Views
794
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 15, 2026
1985fox
1
Forced Induction Bypass valve backwards?
  • Dontknowchit
  • Jun 25, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
423
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 29, 2025
JD1964
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?