1957 - 1960 F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Box Style Ford Trucks

59 Headlight Switch

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Old 01-24-2013, 07:41 PM
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59 Headlight Switch

I have had trouble with my headlight switch on my truck.The low beams will go out after a few .A few years ago i replaced the switch and wiring harness.I have never realy had the lights on much,so i did not notice the problem.It appears the breaker in the switch is the problem.I have ordered a heavy duty harness with relays from LMC.It will reduce the amp draw and should take care of the problem.Anyone have thought on the subject.
Terry
 
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Old 01-24-2013, 08:33 PM
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What you referring to as the breaker?
 
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Old 01-24-2013, 08:46 PM
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make sure all connections on back of the sealed beams are clean & tight , also make sure all grounds to the sealed beams are in good order as well as the bullett type connectors that attach the headlamp housing harness to the truck wiring harness. also check the connections on the circuit breaker itself sometimes the moulded eye conections burn off or get weak right where the wire attaches to the eyelet and cause a wire overheating problem.
this may be a lot less $$ than throwing new parts at it.
checking these easy
mikie
near ottawa canada
58 m-100 panel 64 econo p/u
 
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Old 01-24-2013, 10:06 PM
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Did you install high wattage headlights? The internal breaker may trip if you did, though I would think it would trip when the high beams are on, not the low beams. Does it also trip if you use the high beams?
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 07:11 AM
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Originally Posted by spurredon
What you referring to as the breaker?
From what i have read there is a 12 breaker made inside headlight switch
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 07:14 AM
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Originally Posted by economan
make sure all connections on back of the sealed beams are clean & tight , also make sure all grounds to the sealed beams are in good order as well as the bullett type connectors that attach the headlamp housing harness to the truck wiring harness. also check the connections on the circuit breaker itself sometimes the moulded eye conections burn off or get weak right where the wire attaches to the eyelet and cause a wire overheating problem.
this may be a lot less $$ than throwing new parts at it.
checking these easy
mikie
near ottawa canada
58 m-100 panel 64 econo p/u
That a good idea. I have had ground problems before. I will check that. The harness is made to use with the new Halogen lights. Its only 29 dollars
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 07:23 AM
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Terry, if you have already installed your high wattage halogens, that is a likely problem. The grounding may also be at fault.
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 09:57 AM
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I have a 59 also, that light switch was used for only one or two years. Ford ran a lot of power through that switch, mine shorted out, lost lights. If you can find one, last price i seen was about $140.00!! I installed a small fuse panel with modern plugin fuses, and a $15.00 universal light switch. No more problems!! Plus you can easily fuse turn signals or any accessories you want.
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by iggy.ho
I have a 59 also, that light switch was used for only one or two years. Ford ran a lot of power through that switch, mine shorted out, lost lights. If you can find one, last price i seen was about $140.00!! I installed a small fuse panel with modern plugin fuses, and a $15.00 universal light switch. No more problems!! Plus you can easily fuse turn signals or any accessories you want.
I dont plan on getting Halogen lights,I just wanted the lights to stay on.
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by iggy.ho
I have a 59 also, that light switch was used for only one or two years. Ford ran a lot of power through that switch, mine shorted out, lost lights. If you can find one, last price i seen was about $140.00!! I installed a small fuse panel with modern plugin fuses, and a $15.00 universal light switch. No more problems!! Plus you can easily fuse turn signals or any accessories you want.
LMC has the switch for around 70. Mine is new.
The whole purpose of the new heavy duty headlight harness is to pull the high power straight from the battery. The light switch would then only power the relay's ,which only draw a small amount of power. Thanks for all the help and advice
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 01:05 PM
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Originally Posted by spurredon
What you referring to as the breaker?
There is a breaker inside the headlight switch.
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 01:06 PM
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Under normal conditions the breaker will come on and off again if there is a problem with something like a short in the headlight circut. I think even a short in something like a tail light may cause it , not 100% on that. If it just shuts off and stays off it could be the switch is going bad. At least there are replacements for 59's, I'm not so lucky with a 60.
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by hiball3985
Under normal conditions the breaker will come on and off again if there is a problem with something like a short in the headlight circut. I think even a short in something like a tail light may cause it , not 100% on that. If it just shuts off and stays off it could be the switch is going bad. At least there are replacements for 59's, I'm not so lucky with a 60.
Its a lot of trouble to change also. Mine goes of then cool down then comes back on
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by 59Terry
Its a lot of trouble to change also. Mine goes of then cool down then comes back on
If thats happening you have a short somewhere, thats what the circuit breaker is suppose to do.
 
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Old 01-25-2013, 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ibuzzard
Did you install high wattage headlights? The internal breaker may trip if you did, though I would think it would trip when the high beams are on, not the low beams. Does it also trip if you use the high beams?
Just low beams. I never have driven it at night so did not even know there was a problem
 


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