How to Replace Headlight Switch 1995-2006 Ford Ranger
Created on: 2016-09-13
This video will show how to remove several dash panels to access and replace the headlight switch on the 95-06 Ford Ranger
-
step 1 :Removing the Center Dash Panel
- Remove the three 7mm bolts on the top side of the dash bezel
- Remove the two 7mm screws on the center trim bezel below the radio
- Pry out the center trim panel with a flat blade screwdriver wrapper in tape
- Disconnect all of the electrical connectors and antenna
- Pry the 4WD selector out with a flat blade screwdriver
- Remove the 7mm bolt left in the center dash panel's frame
-
step 2 :Removing the Knee Panel
- Remove the four 7mm bolts on the knee panel
- Slide the panel forward and off its hooks
- Remove the 7mm bolt nearest the steering wheel
- Remove the three 8mm bolts from the metal pan
- Remove the 7mm bolt near the steering wheel
- Pull the column down with the tilt option
-
step 3 :Removing the Upper Dash Panel
- Put the key in and turn the vehicle on
- Shift the vehicle to first gear
- Pull the panel out
- Disconnect the electrical connectors
- Remove the panel
-
step 4 :Removing the Headlight Switch
- Remove the knob
- Remove the two Phillips screws from the switch
- Remove the switch
-
step 5 :Installing the Headlight Switch
- Insert the switch into place
- Tighten the two Phillips screws to the switch
- Press on the knob
-
step 6 :Installing the Upper Dash Panel
- Turn the key on
- Shift the vehicle into first gear
- Insert the dash panel into place
- Shift the vehicle into Park
- Remove the key
-
step 7 :Reinstalling the Center Dash Panel
- Tighten the 7mm screw to the corner of the upper dash panel
- Tighten the 7mm screws near the instrument cluster
- Reconnect the center dash connectors
- Insert the center panel into place
- Tighten the two 7mm screws to the center panel
-
step 8 :Reinstalling the Knee Panel
- Reinstall the 7mm screws at the bottom of the upper dash panel
- Reinstall the three 8mm bolts to the steel knee pan
- Insert the knee panel into place
- Tighten the 7mm bolts to the knee panel
Tools needed
-
Socket Extensions
Flat Blade Screwdriver
Phillips Head Screwdriver
8mm Socket
7mm Socket
Ratchet
Brought to you by 1AAuto.com, your source for quality replacement parts and the best service on the Internet.
Hi, I'm Mike from 1A Auto. I hope this how-to video helps you out, and next time you need parts for your vehicle, think of 1AAuto.com. Thanks!
In this video we're going to be working with our 2001 Ford Ranger. We're going to show you how to remove and replace the headlight switch. This information is the same from 1995 to 2006 on the Ford Rangers and is similar to several other Ford models.
If you like this video, please click Subscribe. We have ton more information on this truck as well as many other makes and models. If you need this part for your vehicle, follow the link in the description over to 1AAuto.com.
Here are the items you'll need for this repair: 7-8mm sockets, ratchet, extensions, flat blade and Phillips screwdriver.
Remove the three 7 millimeter bolts along the top side of your dash bezel with a socket and ratchet. Remove the two 7 millimeter screws on the center trim bezel below the radio. We use a small flat-blade screwdriver, with some tape on it to keep from marring our dash services, to pry out on this center trim panel. Reach back and disconnect all of the electrical connectors. The antenna pops right back and out. This last connector for the four-wheel drive selector is going to have to be pried up on with our flat-blade screwdriver. Remove this 7 millimeter bolt that was covered by our center dash panel.
Remove the four 7 millimeter bolts: one here, two below the hood release, and one all the way by our left foot, using a 7-millimeter socket and ratchet. Slide the knee pan forward toward you to release the hooks and remove it from the vehicle. Remove this 7 millimeter bolt through the access hole in this steel reinforcement behind the knee pan. Remove these three 8 millimeter bolts using a socket and ratchet. Pull back the knee panel. We'll remove this last 7 millimeter bolt.
Now we're going to put our column all the way down, if you have a tilt option. Put the key in, and shift the vehicle to first gear to get a little more room around the stick. Pull out on the dash, and lift up.
Using a flat blade screwdriver, remove this electrical connector for the interior dimmer switch. Push down on the tab. Release the other connector from the headlight switch.
We've removed this entire panel of the dash from the vehicle because we had to disconnect these switches to access the back of our headlight switch anyway. You can do this inside of the vehicle, we just figured it would be easier to show you if we brought it out and put on the bench. Pull out and remove the actual knob from the headlight switch. Flip the panel over and remove these two Phillips head screws. Remove the switch from the dash.
Here we have our old part that we removed from our truck and our new part from 1AAuto.com. As you can see, these parts are exactly the same. We have the same keyed shaft to reinstall the selector knob onto, the same LED for a backlight, and we have the same two mounting locations, as well as the same connector on the back. If your old headlight switch is acting up, either it's not turning the headlights and parking lamps on as it should, or maybe they're working intermittently or the switch is getting hot and blowing fuses, then this new part from 1A Auto is going to go in, direct fit, just like the original equipment and fix you up right.
Reinstall the headlight switch into the dash. Tighten down the two Phillips head screws. Flip the panel over. Reinstall the headlight knob.
Now our dash panel is ready to go back into the truck.
We'll shift our truck down into first gear again, so we can lay our dash panel back in. When you get pretty close to getting it lined up, take a second to reconnect the electrical connectors for both the headlight switch and the interior dimmer switch. Lay the upper dash panel back into place and you'll see the metal clips and their holes. Line them up, snap them back in.
Shift the truck back into park. Remove your key. Reinstall the gold 7 millimeter screw at the top right corner of that upper dash panel. Reinstall the three black 7 millimeter screws into the top of the dash panel just before the instrument cluster. Reconnect the four-wheel drive selector connector. Reconnect the cigarette lighter. There's two wires there. Reconnect the radio harness, the antenna, the fog light switch, and the AC power outlet connector. Push the center panel back into place. Then reinstall the two 7 millimeter screws at the bottom of the panel. Reinstall two 7 millimeter screws at the bottom of the upper dash panel. Reinstall the three screws for the steel knee pan. Tighten them up with an 8 millimeter socket and ratchet.
Snap in the top of the plastic knee pan. Reinstall the four 7 millimeter screws along the bottom. Remember to reinstall the hood release and the two screws that go in there.
Thanks for tuning in. We hope this video helped you out. Next time you need parts for your car, please visit 1AAuto.com. Also check out our other helpful how-to and diagnosis videos.
Shop Products
How to Replace Headlight Switch 2000-05 Chevy Monte Carlo
With this video you can learn how to replace the headlight switch on your 00-05 Chevy Monte Carlo. 1AAuto shows you how!
