Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

head light switch?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 1, 2011 | 09:23 PM
  #1  
trumsey07's Avatar
trumsey07
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
head light switch?

i have an 86 f150 and the other day i was drivin home at night and my head lights just went off,they came on once but went off again does anybody know where i can pick a new switch up at or should i just put it to a toggle switch. ps the parking lights and switch dimmer both work just not the head lights.
 
Reply
Old May 1, 2011 | 09:26 PM
  #2  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,949
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
I would check the dimmer switch. It leads a hard life down in the floor in the early trucks. If you find it is the headlight switch, more than likely the wiring plug to the switch has melted also. The plug overheating and causing the switch to fail is a common problem. I believe LMC truck sells a relay harness to take the load off the headlight switch.
 
Reply
Old May 1, 2011 | 09:49 PM
  #3  
84-6.9L's Avatar
84-6.9L
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,216
Likes: 0
From: Princeton MN
The light switch has an internal breaker in it IIRC. My 84 did that and i replaced the dimmer switch first, didn't fix it, then the light switch a week later and no issues for 3years. Any auto parts store has them
 
Reply
Old May 1, 2011 | 10:07 PM
  #4  
glovemeister's Avatar
glovemeister
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,244
Likes: 40
A toggle conversion has been considered by many and you will lose quite a few of your good functions if you do that, just buy a new one.
 
Reply
Old May 1, 2011 | 10:09 PM
  #5  
kermmydog's Avatar
kermmydog
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,176
Likes: 4
From: Western Central NV
You can buy both switches from any parts house. Rockauto.com is a sponsor here they have them. If the plastic on the harness is melted that depends on if you can remove & replace it from the switch if so just check it over & reuse it. If not replacing it will have to be done. Isn't Blue Oval a sponsor here? They care much the same stuff as LMC.
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2011 | 01:44 PM
  #6  
1986F150six's Avatar
1986F150six
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
Franklin2 mentioned the headlight relay harness from LMC... I installed one this past weekend and it was very easy. Not only does it greatly reduce the electrical draw through our truck's aging switchs and wiring harness, but the headlights are much brighter!
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2011 | 09:09 PM
  #7  
trumsey07's Avatar
trumsey07
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
i had the same problem with my old yj i just found the power wire for the head lights only and just wired it to a toggle switch and i still had all my other functions wouldn this work with my 86
 
Reply
Old May 2, 2011 | 09:34 PM
  #8  
81-F-150-Explorer's Avatar
81-F-150-Explorer
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
If you just put in a toggle switch, you remove the circut breaker from the circut. This can cause a electrical fire. Especially if the headlamp switches circut breaker is doing it's job and protecting the circut.

Do the job right, please, and replace the headlamp switch, or dimmer switch, and fix the wiring if applicable.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-3

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-6

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 2, 2011 | 10:23 PM
  #9  
ctubutis's Avatar
ctubutis
Moderator
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by 81-F-150-Explorer
Do the job right, please, and replace the headlamp switch, or dimmer switch, and fix the wiring if applicable.
I agree. There's a tan/white-stripe wire that is known to get hot and melt the plastic when there's excessive resistance in the headlight circuit for some reason.

One of the responsibilities of owning a 30-yo truck is correctly fixing the problems that such a truck will invariably develop.
 
Reply
Old May 3, 2011 | 06:43 PM
  #10  
Jigger2020's Avatar
Jigger2020
FTE Legend
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 161,100
Likes: 8,076
From: North Bay Ont Canada
I agree with ctubutis, sounds right.............
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
treestumps
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Nov 18, 2012 07:48 PM
rcw3023
1983 - 2012 Ranger & B-Series
5
Nov 2, 2007 11:24 AM
barryg
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
5
Oct 20, 2006 02:43 PM
TWellmann
2004 - 2008 F150
4
Dec 24, 2003 01:43 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:15 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE