Hi Beam Hassles - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

07-06-2003, 18:34

Hi all, wondering if someone can help me with an electrical gremlin?
When I use Hi beam, after a few minutes, the lights start to flicker on and off, but as soon as I drop back to low beam, they are fine.
I have checked and replaced the relays, and the wiring harness all seems to be in good condition.
I seems like an overheating problem, but I can't seem to put my finger on it.
Any ideas on this would be much appreciated.
Phil

EDFUTURA · 07-06-2003, 18:44

Have you checked out the self resetting circuit breaker? It's an oblong silver or metal-grey gizmo roughly the same size as a relay that hangs off the rear part of the relay block that's located between the battery and the side of the engine bay (may need to move the battery for decent access?). It'll have two largish wires connected via push on spade terminals. I fixed the old headlight cutout problem simply by sandpapering the tangs those terminals push onto (ie. it was high resistance in those connections).

Also try a search - there's a couple of threads about this problem.

Hope that's some help and you get it sorted - when I had the problem it cost me a punched in passenger side door (from having to drive only on low beam - so I didn't see a big roo one night until too late).

Axeman82 · 07-06-2003, 19:01

Try cleaning it as EDFUTURA said..

I'd bet my left nut its the headlight circuit breaker. I had this problem a couple of months ago - changed the relay and still did it - new circuit breaker and it was fixed. Cost around $25 new from ford. Aftermarket ones have different connections for the wires and the ford ones just plug straight on.

Dan..

07-06-2003, 23:31

Thanks guys, have tried all that, except that the ef dosen't have the self resetting circuit breaker. I have been all over the entire wiring loom looking for it, as it was the drama on my xf ute, and it fixed the problem there, but not so lucky here.
Have given everything a good clean, and replaced the relays, and now have hi beam, but the low beams go out . Still, at this stage, at least I have light.
Thanks again, and if anyone has anymore ideas, I will keep trying them.

Axeman82 · 07-06-2003, 23:54

I'd have to say that I am sure that they do have one - although it may be in a different place.. Sorry I couldn't help..

Dan..

TopGhia · 07-07-2003, 00:24

That circuit breaker is in the box beside the battery, on the side just in front of the main fuse box. There are 4 other relays as well. It looks like a battery out job.

Read the thread "Hi-beams dieing", there is a photo there!

If and when you replace it, wack a bit of dielectric grease on the connectors - no more problems.

cheers

07-07-2003, 04:17

Seriously guys, have had battery out, and gone over the entire wiring circuit, and there isn't a circuit breaker on the bloody thing. It was the 1st thing I thought of, as it was with the xf, so I was a little surprised by it's absence.
I think I will take it around to Ford, and let them have a look, cause it should have one.
Car must have been made on Monday, when everyone was hungover!!!!!!!!!

TopGhia · 07-07-2003, 14:35

Let us know what happens, sounds interesting. Unless a previous owner bypassed it for some reason.

94EF_Ghia · 07-07-2003, 15:50

i had a prob like that but it was with low beam, Just started turning on and off when it warmed up. In my case it was those relays near the battery.

Hope ya get it sorted out

NAPARM · 07-07-2003, 22:36

I'm having the exact same problem with my EF, please let me know if you find the problem.