Running/Parking lights
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 997
Likes: 2
From: Rock Valley, IA
Running/Parking lights
So I've been struggling with this for a while and can't seem to figure it out. My parking lights don't seem to come on with my headlights. This includes both front and back lights. Obviously this would make it dangerous to drive at night so I'm relegated to only daytime driving. I've replaced the light switch twice now with parts from LMC (part #47-0646). I even got a new harness that was sent to me by Kramercd but still no luck. I have tested and I have continuity from the wire that goes to the lights from the switch but when I try the switch, either by pulling out the switch one click or two and still don't get any illumination. I tried to run a continuity test on the switch itself to see which post needs to be plugged in for the running lights. The weird thing in all this is that the blinkers work but I think that runs off a different circuit. I'm down to wiring them direct to the headlights as I never just use the parking lights by themselves. Any other ideas would be most welcome.
Thanks everyone.
Thanks everyone.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
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Likes: 2,734
From: Virginia
Your running lights have their own circuit with their own fuse. Check the fuse first. If you have power on the fuse on both sides, then you need to pull the headlight switch again and check for power on the tan/white wire. Also inspect it carefully and the socket that this wire goes to, most of the time it's melted. You may not even see a tan/white wire, keep looking up in the harness, it may be burnt completely off. Common problem.
What confuses a lot of people, they think the headlights and the other lights run off the same power source.
What confuses a lot of people, they think the headlights and the other lights run off the same power source.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 997
Likes: 2
From: Rock Valley, IA
Thanks Dave. I think I was looking at the wrong fuse. If that's all it is then I'm going to kick myself. LOL Is there any way to prevent the wire from burning out or is it just old age that gets them if that's the problem?
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,977
Likes: 2,734
From: Virginia
Changing some of your running lights to LED will help. Using the regular lighting in the back for a trailer doesn't help it. Ford made this circuit barely large enough to handle all the running lights front to rear on the truck, and then the slip on design of the connector aggravates the situation when it gets hot.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: Voorhees NJ
Is your truck an 80? If so I had a problem with the light switch. Bought one off eBay and it didn’t work. 1980 is a one off year and the light switch is year specific. There are an extra set of connectors on an 80 and not on 81-86.(or the other way around. I’m old and forget which way it was) I found out the hard way, so make sure you have the right switch! PO May have changed it and didn’t care.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 997
Likes: 2
From: Rock Valley, IA
No. My truck is an '85. I don't think he changed the light switch or the wiring. Don't get me wrong, he changed a lot of the wiring around but the one I took out looked old and was worn out. I changed it out initially because the lights would go out (all of them) at random times when driving and I'd have to turn them off and back on to get them back on. IIRC they were all working when I replaced the switch with the LMC one but then the headlight wire burned out. It was hanging on by literally two wires so I had to get a new harness from Kramercd and I think I wired that in correctly but the diagrams in my Chilton manual have something to be desired in the schematic department. I also couldn't find a diagram for the switch itself showing which wire went to which connection so I'm playing a bit of a guessing game.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 186
Likes: 1
From: Voorhees NJ
Take some time ad wire all your headlights to relays. It will take the strain off the smaller gauge wires. There are several threads explaining the how to. Definitely try going to LED for all your parking, side and tail lights. They’re brighter and last longer!
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 997
Likes: 2
From: Rock Valley, IA
I know there is an '85 crew cab at a close you pullit place. I think I'll wander over there this weekend and take a look a that wiring. I'll also look into the LED and relay options.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 997
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From: Rock Valley, IA
It's actually in really good condition. It's too bad they don't sell whole vehicles...
Used 1985 Ford Ford F350 Pickup Parts | Ewe Pullet
Used 1985 Ford Ford F350 Pickup Parts | Ewe Pullet
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
For the relay LMC and Ebay has a kit that is plug-n- play read no wire cutting.
I have the LMC kit I bought for a non-Ford project that I will use on my truck and get another when the time comes.
Now before swapping in the relays and LED lights, I will be doing the LED lights also, get the lights to work with normal bulbs then swap in the LEDs.
Now being you think the lights worked before doing the harness re-wire I would look closely at it. That 1 connection you made could be bad or you hooked the wrong wires together.
Were the wire colors the same between your harness and the part you installed? I would think doing color for color would not be that hard?
Dave ----
edit: I also think if checking the fuse the lights need to be on as some fuses only power up when that part is powered up.
I would also pull the fuse, clean the ends& holder and check with an ohm meter if good or not.
I have the LMC kit I bought for a non-Ford project that I will use on my truck and get another when the time comes.
Now before swapping in the relays and LED lights, I will be doing the LED lights also, get the lights to work with normal bulbs then swap in the LEDs.
Now being you think the lights worked before doing the harness re-wire I would look closely at it. That 1 connection you made could be bad or you hooked the wrong wires together.
Were the wire colors the same between your harness and the part you installed? I would think doing color for color would not be that hard?
Dave ----
edit: I also think if checking the fuse the lights need to be on as some fuses only power up when that part is powered up.
I would also pull the fuse, clean the ends& holder and check with an ohm meter if good or not.
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