Ford 1510 4x4 Diesel Lights don't work

[Jntjohnston]

We just bought a Ford 1510 diesel 4x4 and none of the lights work. My husband is a good mechanic, but just needs some guidance on where to start. He checked the fuses and they're all good. If any of the lights worked we would start with headlights or a switch. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Topher265]

Use a DVOM set to DC volts and leave the black probe on the battery ground. Turn the light switch on, then check for available 12V at both end of the fuses (don't just pull and look at them). Then check for voltage at an unplugged light socket. If you have available voltage all the way to the bulb socket, then the problem is either the bulb(s) or the path to ground.

Since none of the lights work, I would look carefully at things that could/would affect the entire system (poor common grounds, bad ground strap, bad power feed to fuses, bad switch etc). It is possible every single bulb is burned out, so check the unplugged resistance of a few of them to make sure you have normal ohm readings.

Is there anything else electrical that doesn't work?

Report back with what you find.

 

[RickB]

10 series Fords are prone to ground path problems in the lighting circuits.

 

[Topher265]

10 series Fords are prone to ground path problems in the lighting circuits.

This can easily be verified then by running a separate ground wire from the ground electrode of a bulb to the ground of the battery. If that turns a light on...it's time to fix the grounds (probably not a bad idea anyways ).

 

[bd53bz2]

Not sure of your vehicle, but ive worked on fords that switch the ground not the 12v. their theory is that one fuse for each side of the vehicle. that way if a single fuse blows u still have the other headlight etc working.

 

[RickB]

Not sure of your vehicle, but ive worked on fords that switch the ground not the 12v. their theory is that one fuse for each side of the vehicle. that way if a single fuse blows u still have the other headlight etc working.

does not apply here.

 

[gschones]

I had the same problem on my 1510 and just now got around to digging into it. I had to droll out the screws just to get to the bulbs since they were so far gone (corroded). Well, both bulbs were bad. Replaced them and all is good.