The lights burning...
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Junior User
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The lights burning...
Ok guys guess what! Another electrical issue with my F250 again. Heres the problem, my headlight harness decided it wanted to catch fire. The part right under the drivers side door for my running lights, to be exact. I got that under control and temporarily fixed that mess. But now the switch is smokin when the running lights are on. Does anyone know where i can get a complete harness for this truck???
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Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Your best bet is going to be to fix what you have. Can go to a junk yard, or go aftermarket with somebody like Painless and get a Universal harness for ~$500.
It's the brown wire that feeds the side markers, tail lamps, front parking lamps, license plate illumination, rooftop markers (if installed) all on one circuit.
It's the brown wire that feeds the side markers, tail lamps, front parking lamps, license plate illumination, rooftop markers (if installed) all on one circuit.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
All the parts stores have a new pigtail and plug for the headlight switch. You probably need a new headlight switch also. The wires at the headlight switch burning up on these trucks is a common problem.
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Junior User
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It is the brown wire that keeps smokin. I found 1 fairly big short in it where it melted together with another wire and i fixed that too but still smokes at he switch. The switches aren't too bad price wise are they?
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2007
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Ford used a much too small tan wire that carries the load for all the marker-lights.
Tie the trailer-lights into that system, redneck style, then compounds the problem.
First, completely replace that tiny wire with one of 12-AWG.
Replace the head-light switch and plug.
Put the head-lights AND the marker-lights on relays, thus taking all the load away from the poorly under-wired factory system.
Finally, put the trailer markers on a BIG switch of their own, entirely independent of any factory wiring.
Done properly, all your lighting problems will be gone.
Tie the trailer-lights into that system, redneck style, then compounds the problem.
First, completely replace that tiny wire with one of 12-AWG.
Replace the head-light switch and plug.
Put the head-lights AND the marker-lights on relays, thus taking all the load away from the poorly under-wired factory system.
Finally, put the trailer markers on a BIG switch of their own, entirely independent of any factory wiring.
Done properly, all your lighting problems will be gone.
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
Pico lists a #5730 plug/pigtail for 1980-1994 Ford headlight switches.
Pico 5730PT 1980-1994 Ford Headlight Switch Repair Harness Eight Lead Wiring Pigtail
You should be able to cross that number at any auto parts store.
Pico 5730PT 1980-1994 Ford Headlight Switch Repair Harness Eight Lead Wiring Pigtail
You should be able to cross that number at any auto parts store.
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Thanks. So im not the best with electricity ill admit that lol so how do i go about adding these relays and what not? Maybe even a diagram would be helpful also.
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
You can buy a relay kit from LMC truck that is pretty much 'plug 'n play' for these trucks.
Gary Lewis and some others have made their own.
But although I could do it, it seemed too much a bother, and I couldn't buy the parts for $30, let alone my time...
Truck Parts and Truck Accessories
The headlights are the only REAL load on the switch. Marker lights and such won't overload the existing harness unless there is a short.
Gary Lewis and some others have made their own.
But although I could do it, it seemed too much a bother, and I couldn't buy the parts for $30, let alone my time...
Truck Parts and Truck Accessories
The headlights are the only REAL load on the switch. Marker lights and such won't overload the existing harness unless there is a short.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
There is no relay kit for the markers. You will have to buy your own relay and socket, and wire it in yourself. I always though the driver's side kickpanel area would be the best place to mount it under the dash.
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For now iv got it fixed but only for now. I took the brown wire off the socket and replaced it with a size or two bigger gage wire, and so far its working. No smoking or "hot" smell anywhere. But i couldnt find any othe shorts on that wire then the one i already knew of and thought i fixed. Just curious now but any ideas on why the oe wire was smoking and blowing fuses but the news not?
And if anyones got a diagram for dummies for this circut that would be very helpful. Figured now i have a winter project, make a new harness (with relays) for the head lights and running lights. Unless theres a MUCH easier way?? lol
And if anyones got a diagram for dummies for this circut that would be very helpful. Figured now i have a winter project, make a new harness (with relays) for the head lights and running lights. Unless theres a MUCH easier way?? lol
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And another thing, the wire bundle that burnt under the drivers side door has 4 wires in it but 3 are cut about two feet later in the line and the one thats not goes to a pig tail inside the drivers side cab corner behind the trim. Any idea on what these wires are for and if the 3 being cut could be a huge factor in all this? Ill try to get colors of the wires for you in the morning.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2011
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wiring stuff up with relays is great. here's an image i pulled from google which should help you wiring them up Google Image Result for http://4x4icon.com/crossfire/Vehicle_Dynamics_Processor/relay_pins_no_mfg_info.gif - i found the most generic one i could to give you.
in my flatbed, i have both the headlights and the marker lights wired with relays because i burned up the marker light wire at the switch.
once you wire up a couple relays, you realize they're as easy as can be
in my flatbed, i have both the headlights and the marker lights wired with relays because i burned up the marker light wire at the switch.
once you wire up a couple relays, you realize they're as easy as can be