Electrical questions
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Electrical questions
Hi, I have a 1981 Ford f250 custom and I have a couple of electrical issues with it, if the headlights switch is off the back left and both right side turn signals work the front left does not work at all it stays solid amber, and with the headlights on only the back left works and my reverse lights also do not work, anybody have any ideas to go about this situation?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,948
Likes: 509
From: Edmond, OK
If some of your turn signals work with the headlights off that means that the flasher relay is working. I would start by removing the bulbs in all of your turn signals and making sure they and the sockets are clean. You can use di-electric grease in them if you want:
To troubleshoot your reverse lights first clean all the connections. If that doesn't fix the issue you probably need to adjust the reverse switch.
To troubleshoot your reverse lights first clean all the connections. If that doesn't fix the issue you probably need to adjust the reverse switch.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
Likes: 2,728
From: Virginia
The right rear light has a grounding problem. Most likely the socket, we just had someone else on here fight it for a few days till they replaced the light socket. If I were you, I would replace all 4 light sockets at all 4 corners.
You reverse lights are a different circuit. First check the fuse. Then get under the truck and unplug the reverse switch, short the plug and see if the lights light up.
You reverse lights are a different circuit. First check the fuse. Then get under the truck and unplug the reverse switch, short the plug and see if the lights light up.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
The right rear light has a grounding problem. Most likely the socket, we just had someone else on here fight it for a few days till they replaced the light socket. If I were you, I would replace all 4 light sockets at all 4 corners.
You reverse lights are a different circuit. First check the fuse. Then get under the truck and unplug the reverse switch, short the plug and see if the lights light up.
You reverse lights are a different circuit. First check the fuse. Then get under the truck and unplug the reverse switch, short the plug and see if the lights light up.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,860
Likes: 4,106
From: Angier, NC
Replace the front turn / park bulbs and check the sockets.
There are grounds in the engine bay on each fender. IIRC they are black wires under a 5/16" head screw make sure they are clean.
Has the truck been sitting for a bit?
Did the lights ever work since you have owned the truck?
At night with the head lights on are all the lights the same brightness?
Front side marker lights working?
What do you get for brake lights? With lights on & off?
When in the engine bay check the battery ground cable it needs to connect to the motor & frame.
There should also be a heavy gauge wire (10ga) from the motor to firewall this gives the body a ground path back to the battery.
I point to the ground path as that is what this sounds like the problem is OR it is the turn signal switch.
Dave ----
There are grounds in the engine bay on each fender. IIRC they are black wires under a 5/16" head screw make sure they are clean.
Has the truck been sitting for a bit?
Did the lights ever work since you have owned the truck?
At night with the head lights on are all the lights the same brightness?
Front side marker lights working?
What do you get for brake lights? With lights on & off?
When in the engine bay check the battery ground cable it needs to connect to the motor & frame.
There should also be a heavy gauge wire (10ga) from the motor to firewall this gives the body a ground path back to the battery.
I point to the ground path as that is what this sounds like the problem is OR it is the turn signal switch.
Dave ----
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,966
Likes: 2,728
From: Virginia
The right rear light has a grounding problem. Most likely the socket, we just had someone else on here fight it for a few days till they replaced the light socket. If I were you, I would replace all 4 light sockets at all 4 corners.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Both side markers on the fenders do not work and the truck m sat in the woods for probably a good 15 years as a wood truck and was moved once in a while, the brake lights worked fine with the lights on or off but also with the lights off whenever I hit the brake pedal all four corners would stay lit up, and the hazards only work with the lights off too except the front left, I did notice the two large ground cables there is one going from the negative post on the battery to a spot on the engine and there was another one going from the frame that was disconnected and when I hooked that one back up it kept stalling, I'm starting to think I might need to rewire the whole truck (the radio has also been long gone, dont know if that makes a difference)
Trending Topics
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,860
Likes: 4,106
From: Angier, NC
I don't know about rewiring the whole truck at this point but things need to be checked & tested.
It really sounds like an issue with grounds.
If that cable you hooked to ground was for ground I can't see it stalling the motor.
When on my computer I will have to go back over the posts to see if we over looked something.
Dave - - - -
It really sounds like an issue with grounds.
If that cable you hooked to ground was for ground I can't see it stalling the motor.
When on my computer I will have to go back over the posts to see if we over looked something.
Dave - - - -
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
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
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Loose, missing, or corroded grounds, corroded wiring connections cause all kinds of trouble from the lights, to the ignition, accessories, poor battery charging, roasted switches, burning up alternators. Start from the beginning, if the main battery ground cables to block, frame, and firewall are original (or even just kinda old) replace them, you can test them but they will test bad. Usually a truck shop or welding store, tractor supply store etc can make up heavy gauge wiring with quality terminals on the spot while you wait, for not too much money.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
puroford
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Apr 1, 2013 04:00 PM
dano_f100
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Feb 5, 2011 11:51 PM