Headlight switch bulbs burned out

Mustang5L5 · Dec 11, 2009

For the first time in 8 years, i turned my headlights on at night (i kid you not)

Anyway, i noticed both the headlight and fog light indicator were not lit, and the hazard indicator on the other side was not lit up. Only the defrost illuminator was lit up.

This bothers me, so i want to make it work. I assume since this is 1988, there are small bulbs inside right? Just want to make sure before i spend 3 hours trying to get the damn thing open.

time only · Dec 11, 2009

If it is ony the switchs on both side of the dashboard. Can you switch them around to see if the good one work on the other side ? Assuming the M/F plugs are the same both side. I don't think you could change the lightbulbs on those switch. They might be LED or very low power bulbs. J/Y switchs are like free.
Do the dashboard illumination wheel control the output of those lights ? When I first get my Mustang from the car lot. Someone have the wheel turn all the way to OFF. I was driving around for a week with a dark panel,until it hit me.

Celeb · Dec 11, 2009

+1 for dash illumination wheel. Mine are a little finicky in both my foxes as well.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 11, 2009

Dash switch is fine. everything else dims the actuall indicator lights are out as half the switch is lit. I highly doubt they are led too
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Shaolin Crane · Dec 11, 2009

Mine had a few lights out and i had to replace them as well, they were like .32 each

aar0s · Dec 11, 2009

the one for the top swtich was out on mine and i ended up buying a used switch for the bulb! where did you find the bulbs at?

Grn92LX · Dec 11, 2009

My notch does the same thing. If its a cheap & easy fix i'll fix it

fivespeedsteed · Dec 11, 2009

its a wierd bulb i had to buy a whole new switch from someone and use the bulbs out of it, its a tiny ass bulb with a green cover over it

Shaolin Crane · Dec 11, 2009

fivespeedsteed said:
its a wierd bulb i had to buy a whole new switch from someone and use the bulbs out of it, its a tiny ass bulb with a green cover over it

yep, i think the have them in the help section, i had my parts dude get me some

HISSIN50 · Dec 12, 2009

Mike, if all else fails, try sending a PM to Saleen0679. I believe he has posted the number before (something in there is a 2182, and those indicators might be it).

Mustang5L5 · Dec 12, 2009

Okay, well i checked out the defrost switch and Ford made it easy here. Just unscrew the sockets from the back and they come out. Little bulbs with green rubber sleeves. Hmm. Changing the color here might be pretty easy.

Headlight switch is a PITA to open though

MAC'n89Blckstng · Dec 12, 2009

superbrightleds.com makes bulbs that you can put in them.

MAC'n89Blckstng · Dec 12, 2009

Super Bright LEDs - Instrument Cluster and Gauge Backlights

The neowedge are the ones that are in the headlight switch. I converted the bulbs in my 89 to blue ones back in the day.

Saleen0679 · Dec 12, 2009

HISSIN50 said:
Mike, if all else fails, try sending a PM to Saleen0679. I believe he has posted the number before (something in there is a 2182, and those indicators might be it).

The spec book shows the Rear Window Defrost bulb as a 2182, but the only bulb I have found with the same dimensions as on existing bulbs in the switch is the 8640. The 8640 is a T-1¼ (4mm dia.) while the 2182 is a T-1¾ (5mm dia.) which I don't think will fit into the socket correctly.

Superbright LEDs mentioned above and V-LEDs both carry Neowedge LEDs with built in sockets which may be another option since the come in various colors. The size 4 appear to be the closest match.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 12, 2009

Well, i ended up finding that the bulbs were okay, but there is an intermittent connection prob inside the switch, so the bulbs either work or don't.

As for the headlight switch, i was running a GT switch. Since i don't have fog, i took it out and put my LX headlight switch back in. prob solved.

GroverDill · Dec 12, 2009

I had some bad lights in my 93 so i replaced them all. LOL at the "hi-tech" dash wire runs.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 12, 2009

Those are 194's right??

I need to replace mine...not bright enough so my gauges light up uneven

GroverDill · Dec 12, 2009

yes 194's I got a bag of 25 off ebay on the cheap.

tmustang80 · Apr 7, 2010

Mustang5L5 said:
Okay, well i checked out the defrost switch and Ford made it easy here. Just unscrew the sockets from the back and they come out. Little bulbs with green rubber sleeves. Hmm. Changing the color here might be pretty easy.

Headlight switch is a PITA to open though

Mustang5L5- How did you end up getting the headlight switch open?!? I've stared at mine for a while and can't see anyway to do it... any hints you can give me to help me out?

thanks!

Shaolin Crane · Apr 8, 2010

tmustang80 said:
Mustang5L5- How did you end up getting the headlight switch open?!? I've stared at mine for a while and can't see anyway to do it... any hints you can give me to help me out?

thanks!

the bulbs come out with a 1/4 twist counterclockwise in 2 locations on the back of the switch

Headlight switch bulbs burned out

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