1990 D150, no parking lights, headlights ok

ArthursDad · 09-12-2009, 08:05 PM

Howdy and thanks for looking! I tried this on CarTalk and got one person that gave some hints, but I'd like to ask here too.
Seems that this happened about a month ago. I thought it was a bad switch so I replaced the switch. No change.
If you slowly and carefully pull out on the stem, you can get the parking lights to come on before the parking light detent. But when you move to the detent, the lights have gone out. Pulling out the rest of the way to the headlight position turns the headlights on. Just no parking lights.
I only have a Chilton's book, not very detailed. It shows both a fusible link and a fuse feeding the switch. I'm pretty sure (but not positive) that both are hot. It's so hard to get to the plug but I guess I'll try again tomorrow and confirm it with a light, not just a meter.
Any suggestions??

Arthur's Dad (it's his truck that has the problems :-)

BernieB · 09-12-2009, 08:30 PM

I'm thinking "bad switch" also, even though you changed it. The fact they come on at all tells me the wiring from the switch to the bulbs is good.

I assume you've swapped the fuse with a "known good" just to be sure?

crabtruck · 09-12-2009, 08:59 PM

Welcome to the forum A'Dad.
Probably have too much invested to consider replacing the "Arthur".

Believe the fusible link supplies heads and the fuse, the parks.

Although my first suspicion would have been switch,
since you have the same pull ok then fail thing with 2 switches
I am thinking you may have a bad connection at pins.
Check the socket for both the hot and lamps at switch.
The other possibility is that pulling the switch is causing
movement on the wiring farther back, but not likely imo.

Be sure to let us know what you find.

09-12-2009, 08:05 PM	#1
ArthursDad Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Joplin, MO Posts: 1	1990 D150, no parking lights, headlights ok Howdy and thanks for looking! I tried this on CarTalk and got one person that gave some hints, but I'd like to ask here too. Seems that this happened about a month ago. I thought it was a bad switch so I replaced the switch. No change. If you slowly and carefully pull out on the stem, you can get the parking lights to come on before the parking light detent. But when you move to the detent, the lights have gone out. Pulling out the rest of the way to the headlight position turns the headlights on. Just no parking lights. I only have a Chilton's book, not very detailed. It shows both a fusible link and a fuse feeding the switch. I'm pretty sure (but not positive) that both are hot. It's so hard to get to the plug but I guess I'll try again tomorrow and confirm it with a light, not just a meter. Any suggestions?? Arthur's Dad (it's his truck that has the problems :-)

09-12-2009, 08:30 PM	#2
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 3,876	I'm thinking "bad switch" also, even though you changed it. The fact they come on at all tells me the wiring from the switch to the bulbs is good. I assume you've swapped the fuse with a "known good" just to be sure? __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

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09-12-2009, 08:59 PM	#3
crabtruck Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4,128	Welcome to the forum A'Dad. Probably have too much invested to consider replacing the "Arthur". Believe the fusible link supplies heads and the fuse, the parks. Although my first suspicion would have been switch, since you have the same pull ok then fail thing with 2 switches I am thinking you may have a bad connection at pins. Check the socket for both the hot and lamps at switch. The other possibility is that pulling the switch is causing movement on the wiring farther back, but not likely imo. Be sure to let us know what you find.