Questions and Answers

Ford Explorer Light Switch Q. Vincent Ciulla, Thank you for your service. I have a problem with a broken headlight switch on a 1994 Ford Explorer XLT 4D 4WD. Do I have to pull off the entire dashboard to access this switch. My "Haynes" manual is unclear to me. The switch actually works. It is broken where it mounts to the dash.

You can pull the switch out, but you can't push it back in without holding it with a tiny screwdriver, and even that takes a couple of attempts.

By the way, I have the rear view mirror with the auto headlight built in and Ford tells me that they don't supply the pull-out switch for this system. So, besides a salvage yard, would you know where I may obtain one of these? Hopefully I've given you enough information. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Eric

A. It's not too difficult to replace. Here's what you have to do:

1. Remove the ash tray assembly and two finish panel retaining screws, then the finish panel (it just snaps off).
2. Remove the rear window wash/wipe and heated rear light switch assembly (it just snaps out).
3. Pull the head lamp switch knob to the ON position, then depress the shaft release button on the switch and remove the knob and shaft assembly.
4. Remove the bezel nut, pull the switch down through the opening, disconnect the electrical connector, then the remove switch.
5. Reverse the procedure to install.

As for the pull out switch, a bone yard would be about the only other place to get one I can think of.