Parking Light Switch Engages Head Lights

Question

On my 1996 Ford Explorer when I turn the knob for my headlights (3 positions, 1 for off, 2 for parking lights, 3 for headlights) to position 2 it turns on my headlights, when I turn to position 3 it also activates the headlights.

Why does position 2 engage the head lights instead of the parking lights?

Answer 1

I suspect the contacts in the light switch are shorted.

In a correctly working switch,

• In the off position you wouldn't have power on white/light blue or red/yellow.
• In the park lamp position it would only have power on the white/light blue wire.
• In the Head lamp position it sends power to the red/and white/light blue wire.

If none of these are true than the switch is bad.

You could also disconnect the switch connector and jump power from tan/white to white/light blue and if the headlights come on than the problem isn't in the switch but in the wiring.