I have a mk4 diesel escort van, I was driving last night night and the lights went off wouldn't come on,

I checked bulbs
Changed indicator stalk

All fine,

I have side lights when I turn the switch on but no main beem or full been? Indicators don't work unless you press the hazard button.

My friend pulled my fuse box up and they come on fine now gone off again what could it be thanks very much

 

Check the small white relays in the fuse box - they always cause problems with the MK4 headlights - there are two of them.

Might just need to clean the contacts so give that a go first and go from there.

 

Maybe Could they of blown? It's 24 years old never had fuse changes before

 

Very likely they have blown but worth cleaning the contacts and putting them back in to see if that cures the problem. The problem is that with the older cars (i have one myself) the contact becomes corroded and obviously causes problem in making a connection thus causing your lights not to work.

When you turn you lights on and you only get the side light do they then work if you flash the lights ?

 

They on work as a side light if I flash still nothing. My friend lifted the fuse box up and they come on but went off again I tried but no luck pushed all connections in and nothing

 

Definately sounds like a dodgy connection somewhere given that when the fuse box was lifted they started to work - can be a nightmare to resolve and then when you least expect it they will start working.

 

Might be worth tracking down a one man band auto electrician - can be fairly cheap and at least you will know problem solved and that your lights work ! Nothing worse than driving down the road and then the lights failing - not nice :-(

 

May need a new fuse box have had many dealings with ford fuse boxes corroding inside easy fix and not too expensive to do