2001 Headlamp Switch Broke - Diesel Forum

jpbrake · 11-10-2009, 06:45 PM

2001 Headlamp Switch Broke today. Just broke where the plastic shaft joins at the knob.

Do I have to replace the entire assembly?

Or can I go to a used parts yard and hope to find a similar switch and just salvage the switch instead of the entire assembly?

How does the assembly come out of the dash?

Thanks in advance for the help.

220,000 miles and still going strong.

jpbrake · 11-14-2009, 03:40 PM

kick?

BoilermakerSteve · 11-15-2009, 11:02 PM

jpbrake,

I am in the same boat, my nob broke off a few weeks ago. I have found the whole switch assembly at Your Premiere Source for Ford Truck Parts and Accessories for about $65. I am going to see if I can find the nob at a junk yard.

steve

jpbrake · 11-16-2009, 09:49 PM

I have a new headlamp switch assembly. Dealer wanted $266. I bought one on Internet for $45.

So, now how do I remove the switch assembly?

**klhansen** · 11-16-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpbrake

So, now how do I remove the switch assembly?

With a radio removal tool (about $5 from Wally World), remove the radio. Push the u-shaped tools into the holes along the side, push the tools away from each other slightly to unlatch the radio and pull out.
Then remove the two screws at the top of the radio opening.
Then grab the dash panel and pull it loose. You'll probably have to disconnect wiring connectors before you can get it all the way out. There are red keepers on the headlamp switch connectors that you'll have to slide to unlock the connector.
The headlamp switch snaps into the dash panel from the back (or maybe it's held on by screws - can't remember exactly.)
Replace switch - plug wiring back in - replace keepers - replace dash panel - replace screws - replace radio - go for a drive (with headlights).

clamgulch · 11-17-2009, 07:36 AM

Mine fell off years ago. I sanded down the back side of the dial (the rim) enough that I had good penetration of the plastic shaft into the back side of the knob, then I superglued it on. Problem solved.

jpbrake · 11-19-2009, 04:02 PM

Radio is the other side of the steering column.

I took a very thin, small flat screwdriver and slipped in the small indention under the lower center of the headlamp switch assembly. That depressed the bottom clip (there are three clips).

It came out gently. Then just swapped wire harnesses the pressed the whole assembly back in.

Took no more than 3 minutes.

86GLHS · 11-24-2009, 11:59 AM

I had an OASIS run on the X prior to purchase at 104K miles. The report showed the only previous owner put a full 100K mile Ford ESP on it.

For all that money guess what they replaced? Yup, one head light knob!!! I've since replaced that one with one from a Tuarus, much better design. The plug was the same.

Did a little bit of research a couple years ago on the matter and found Ford recalled the head light knob on the Excursions but for only one month. Want to say they had to have a build date of 10/99 to be covered. This of course was while ago and they could have added more months since then.