My 1994 Ford Aerostar gave me a surprise yesterday--all dash lights are off, headlights DO work, but taillights do not. Brake lights do work, but front sidelights (amber ones) do not. What on earth is going on? I tried replacing a couple of fuses that I thought might help, but no change. I also checked wiring around steering column base to see if anything was loose or looked odd--nothing noticeable. Has anyone had this happen? Any suggestions on what to check next? Thanks.

I'm no mechanic, but I'd guess the headlight switch. I had one burn out recently on my 93 AWD due to a short in my boat trailer. The symptoms weren't exactly the same, but I think some lights worked and some didn't. About $80 (I think) for parts. You have to open up the dash, and remove a metal bracket that holds the switch, then pull the connector off the back. Look for burned electrical terminals or wires at the connector. You may have to buy a pigtail, and splice that in, if you have overheated terminals. The knob and stem are also separate parts. There's a little "wedge" inside the knob that allows it to be pulled off the stem. I can't remember if you can remove the stem from the switch, but I think there's a release for that, too. (I became frustrated and ripped off the knob, and bent the shaft, so I had to replace it.) The replacement shaft is about an inch too long, so should be fit and trimmed before final assembly. Of course, I could be wrong!

Thank You, thank you, thank you. That is exactly what it was. Honestly, I was a little skeptical when I first read your reply. But you were right! -- In fordstars@yahoogroups.com, "off_peak_brewing" <ceidbo@i...> wrote: > I'm no mechanic, but I'd guess the headlight switch. > > I had one burn out recently on my 93 AWD due to a short in my boat > trailer. The symptoms weren't exactly the same, but I think some > lights worked and some didn't. > > About $80 (I think) for parts. > > You have to open up the dash, and remove a metal bracket that holds > the switch, then pull the connector off the back. > > Look for burned electrical terminals or wires at the connector. You > may have to buy a pigtail, and splice that in, if you have overheated > terminals. > > The knob and stem are also separate parts. There's a little "wedge" > inside the knob that allows it to be pulled off the stem. I can't > remember if you can remove the stem from the switch, but I think > there's a release for that, too. (I became frustrated and ripped off > the knob, and bent the shaft, so I had to replace it.) The > replacement shaft is about an inch too long, so should be fit and > trimmed before final assembly. > > Of course, I could be wrong! > >

I had the same prolem last year and i had to change my headlight switch it cost about $30.00 at the ford dealer and you have to remove all of the gray/black plastic dash parts to get to it Good luck1