Headlights out

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 30, 2014 | 02:16 PM

Ladyintrainingf100

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Apr 2014

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

From: Kennewick, WA

Headlights out

Okay, another question from this ignorant new truck owner.

When you go over a bump and the headlights are on, they shut off. I know it would be a wiring issue, but where would I get into to fix it? Under the hood?
I have no idea, I know little to nothing.

Lemme know. Thanks.

Apr 30, 2014 | 05:35 PM

jowilker

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 24,552

Likes: 74

From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

For the lights to go out it has to loose power. Something is dirty or there is a bad or broken wire. There is only one to fix it, get a circuit tester like the photo below or a meter the get in there and find it.

John

Apr 30, 2014 | 10:36 PM

SuperSabre

Laughing Gas

Joined: Dec 2010

Posts: 1,091

Likes: 14

From: Tucson, Arizona

You didn't say if the lights come back on immediately, or if you have to recycle the switch to get them back. Or something else. There is a circuit breaker that's built into the headlight switch. If the switch is very old and the C/B is failing, that is another possibility for the source of your problem. If you don't find any issues doing the check John suggested, it might be time for a new headlight switch. You can still get American made Motorcraft ones for some truck models. Don't buy a cheaper imported one. Good luck!

May 1, 2014 | 07:43 AM

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 88,826

Likes: 783

From: Simi Valley, CA

If the headlights go out, step on the dimmer switch, see what happens.

May 1, 2014 | 12:03 PM

daveengelson

Lead Driver

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 6,305

Likes: 18

From: Boulder Creek, Ca

If have not done so already I would like to welcome you to the family of Ford Truck Enthusiast,

Welcome to FTE! Was going to post diag. of the headlight circuit then realized you have a 62. Purchased the wiring diagram manual for the 65 thru Jim Osborn reproductions, best $7 spent and found it very helpful tracking down the electrical gremlins. In the JO online reproduction catalog, appears earliest wiring manual they carry is for the 63. Perhaps member can advise if the 63 manual is same/similar to wiring circuits with the 62, may be the best $7 spent.<a href="http://s300.photobucket.com/user/goatfarmer_photos/media/hmmm1.gif.html" target="_blank"><img Looking forward to your input, post pic's if and when you can. src="http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn25/goatfarmer_photos/hmmm1.gif" border="0" alt="hmmm photo hmmm1.gif"/></a>

May 2, 2014 | 04:52 AM

User 71024

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2005

Posts: 2,954

Likes: 64

x2 on Jowilker, get a test light and trace the problem when the lights are out, in my experience,most common bump failures on electrics is rusty grounds.

May 2, 2014 | 06:33 PM

1964FORDTUF

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 713

Likes: 3

From: Florida

On old cars and trucks I used to restore, many upon many would have issues like this. Do yourself a HUGE favor: From the negative battery terminal, make sure the ground strap itself is good to the frame. From the point it makes contact to the frame, run a new ground wire (not as thick as the battery cable) to the body of the truck. Run another to the bed. Many times the ground is bad between battery to frame to chassis. Once you are sure the ground is good, then you can start diagnosing the positive power components like dimmer switch, headlight switch, etc. ALWAYS start with a solid found. My 2 cents from years of aggravation working on rust buckets....