REPLY: 5000 dash light relay

[christopher_bender@fmc.com (CHRISTOPHER BENDER)]

     I think your problem is the headlight switch itself, if I understand 
     you correctly that you can make the dash lights come on by playing 
     with that headlight switch.  You don't hear a relay, becasue there is 
     none for that circuit.  The switch flows the full juice.
     
     That happened to me on my 4000Q, and that was my problem.  New switch 
     and it's fine.
     
     One pointer:  I noticed it, but I left it be for a few months, because 
     it didn't really bother me that much, and I was busy in life, you know 
     how that goes.  Well, apparently, even if you don't see the lights, it 
     still lets some current flow, and then the bad spot in that switch 
     acts like a resistor, and it got nice and hot, and melted the plastic 
     housing of the connector that plugs onto that switch.  Mine wasn't too 
     bad, but I wish I had dealt with it earlier.  
     
     Point is: Replace the switch ASAP!!