Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

headlights flickering

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 10:25 AM
  #1  
300sixnick's Avatar
300sixnick
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
headlights flickering

My head lights are flickering both of them are flickering at the same time. When the head lights flicker off the side lights come on for a second. I replaced the head light switch it seemed to hold it for longer than it did before ( like 5 seconds longer) than they started flickering again. 1979 ford f250 300 six rw drive custom mostly original, don't think any wiring has been tampered with, anyone know where the head light relay is? Or if there's anything else you think could be the problem? Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 10:32 AM
  #2  
fmc400's Avatar
fmc400
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Club FTE Gold Member
There's no headlight relay.

Measure the voltage across the battery posts with the engine idling, and report your results and note any fluctuations in voltage. Your next post needs a number in it.
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 11:09 AM
  #3  
79FordBlake's Avatar
79FordBlake
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,735
Likes: 2
From: Wingo, Ky
For me its usually been the headlight switch or the dimmer switch causing the problem. Good idea to still do as FMC400 suggested.
Wont hurt to clean off all connections also.
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 03:07 PM
  #4  
jsutton's Avatar
jsutton
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 12
From: Northeast LA
For me it was the positive wire for the front parking light above the drivers side headlight. There was a bare spot in the insulation of the wire at the core support and when the bare spot hit the metal it would cut the lights off. Just something else to check for.
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 04:05 PM
  #5  
rsfabrication's Avatar
rsfabrication
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, Georgia
I had that happen while sitting in an hour long traffic jam my engine was fine but there was so much saturating heat. I honestly think the headlight switch got hot. Once I started moving good again issue went away.

460/c6 / longtube under the cab headers / pulling a 18ft car trailer. Was on my way to pick up my other truck that broke down on my Dad returning from out of state.
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 04:22 PM
  #6  
300sixnick's Avatar
300sixnick
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
I heard some times the relays in the old light switches sometimes can't take the full load of all the running lights so I offed all the side lighting onto blinkers and brakes, (was planning on it anyways the side lights didn't work at all before) and I turned the head lights back on and they worked for about 15 seconds before they started flickering again I checked the voltage across the battery it looks fine, guess I'm off for a voltage regulator tomorrow! I checked all the hidden wiring it looks fine, is the light dimmer switch you are talking about just done by turning the the head light switch button thing? Thankseveryone
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 04:30 PM
  #7  
jsutton's Avatar
jsutton
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,313
Likes: 12
From: Northeast LA
The dimmer switch in on the floor board, operated with your left foot.
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 04:32 PM
  #8  
300sixnick's Avatar
300sixnick
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Oh the high beam switch. But everytime the lights flicker I can hear a noise coming from the headlight switch and it is brand new I replaced it today
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 05:29 PM
  #9  
Blue and White's Avatar
Blue and White
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 10
I believe the switch has a breaker that may be making noise as its about to trip. I'm guessing there is a short in the wiring someplace and suggest visual inspection of all wires feeding the lights.
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 05:43 PM
  #10  
fmc400's Avatar
fmc400
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by 300sixnick
I checked the voltage across the battery it looks fine
What does "looks fine" mean? I asked for a number.

Originally Posted by 300sixnick
guess I'm off for a voltage regulator tomorrow!
How do you know you know it's the regulator itself?

Originally Posted by 300sixnick
Oh the high beam switch. But everytime the lights flicker I can hear a noise coming from the headlight switch and it is brand new I replaced it today
OK, that changes things. This has nothing to do with the voltage regulator. That's why I stress that you follow my instructions and take measurements rather than randomly replace parts.
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 06:16 PM
  #11  
300sixnick's Avatar
300sixnick
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Voltage read 13.76
 
Reply
Old Jan 17, 2014 | 08:37 PM
  #12  
brian1080's Avatar
brian1080
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,742
Likes: 5
From: Near St. Joseph,MO
You should also be more specific on what it's doing.

Is it flickering as in on/off or is it flickering as in pulsing?

Mine pulse when the truck is running, my battery is weak and my alt is going out. I'm planning on fixing these with the 3g upgrade and a different battery as soon as I can get to the junkyard.
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2014 | 05:11 PM
  #13  
300sixnick's Avatar
300sixnick
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
What do you mean by pulsing?
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2014 | 06:45 PM
  #14  
300sixnick's Avatar
300sixnick
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
My lights flicker at the same time I hear a click coming from the light switch, I think It is a breaker or something but I don't know why it's going off
 
Reply
Old Jan 18, 2014 | 07:08 PM
  #15  
devino246's Avatar
devino246
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,501
Likes: 4
From: Lynchburg, VA
There's a breaker built into the headlight switch. You've got too much current draw downstream. Listen to fmc; you won't find a much more knowledgeable guy when it comes to automotive electrical systems.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:26 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE