Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 1
From: Great NW
Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
Some old-school Ford guy just told me that if you ever have any problems starting your truck, you should replace the headlight dimmer switch. He says it works for him most of the time.
The funny thing is, he is not the type to pull my leg...
Myth or fact (or possible fact)?
The funny thing is, he is not the type to pull my leg...
Myth or fact (or possible fact)?
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
Wait a minute. How does a headlight dimmer cause a battery drain when it isn't powered up until the headlights are on? There seems to be no continuity with that fact.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 925
Likes: 0
From: Quaker Hill ,CT U.S.A.
Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
The wiring harness in my '79 wrecker caught fire and burn up because of a bad dimmer switch..I dont go as far as to replace them but at least take a look at them / clean them up ...I find that it the mechinisim works hard you are better off replacing them..
Jon
Jon
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
Myth...
It is a common place for shorts due to corrosion.
It is a common place for shorts due to corrosion.
Trending Topics
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 91
Likes: 1
From: Western PA
Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
I had nothing but problems with mine so I took it out and replaced it with a highbeam toggle switch. Then whwn the high beams are on so are the low beams. Lights up the road a lot better. It does not tale much to make the dimmers mess up or corrode.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
When you have both High and Low beams watch your headlight connectors for overheating. If you are running the power thru your headlight switch you may encourage "Ford flashing headlight" syndrome.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,984
Likes: 2
Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
Some old-school Ford guy just told me that if you ever have any problems starting your truck, you should replace the headlight dimmer switch. He says it works for him most of the time.
However, those dimmer switches cause all sorts of other lighting problems. Being located in the floorboard makes them susceptible to moisture. When mine started sticking a while back, I sprayed it down with WD-40, and it now works like new.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
Big1-
We were talking about having the high and low beams on at the same time. These old ford trucks only had one set on at a time. The increased heat on the bulbs when both beams are activated simultaneously can cause the plastic connectors to melt. It can also cause the metal connectors to lose their spring tension and come loose which causes a bad connection and more heat, which causes the connectors to loosen more, ...
The increased current flow thru the circuit breaker that is built into the headlight switch can cause it to break the contacts so the lights go out. When the breaker cools they come back on, then heat up and go back off. Just like a turn signal flasher...
We were talking about having the high and low beams on at the same time. These old ford trucks only had one set on at a time. The increased heat on the bulbs when both beams are activated simultaneously can cause the plastic connectors to melt. It can also cause the metal connectors to lose their spring tension and come loose which causes a bad connection and more heat, which causes the connectors to loosen more, ...
The increased current flow thru the circuit breaker that is built into the headlight switch can cause it to break the contacts so the lights go out. When the breaker cools they come back on, then heat up and go back off. Just like a turn signal flasher...
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
Ford flashing headlights...
I have a -78 Truck- ,that must be what its doin. lights workin great, then all at once they go nuts like your tryin to get the on commin traffic to stop. Have made people run like hell lol. But how would i fix that?
I have a -78 Truck- ,that must be what its doin. lights workin great, then all at once they go nuts like your tryin to get the on commin traffic to stop. Have made people run like hell lol. But how would i fix that?
Last edited by Torque1st; Mar 8, 2003 at 05:05 AM.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Myth or Fact? (Headlight dimmer switch)
Usually all you have to do is replace the headlight switch.
Do not run driving lights or other high current devices off the headlight circuit. Use a relay with a inline breaker from the battery to power these devices. You casn turn the relay on with your headlight circuit.
Check for shorts also that could be causing a high current draw.
When your headlight circuit breaker is activated for the first time it seems like it takes a lot less current to activate it the next time, and on and on... So even if you were using additional lights or had a short, -get a new headlight switch.
Do not run driving lights or other high current devices off the headlight circuit. Use a relay with a inline breaker from the battery to power these devices. You casn turn the relay on with your headlight circuit.
Check for shorts also that could be causing a high current draw.
When your headlight circuit breaker is activated for the first time it seems like it takes a lot less current to activate it the next time, and on and on... So even if you were using additional lights or had a short, -get a new headlight switch.
Last edited by Torque1st; Mar 8, 2003 at 05:06 AM.