Intermittent High-Beam indicator
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 189
Likes: 25
Intermittent High-Beam indicator
86' F-350, 6.9L
I've been having an issue where, every so often, the dash light for the high beam wont come on. The high beams always work, but the indicator for some reason doesn't. Any idea how to fix this/ have a wiring diagram?
Not that I can reliably see it anyway, its basically right behind the wheel on my non-tilt column and I cant figure a seating position to make it easier to see without moving my head. I assume my options there are to a) wire in an auxiliary indicator or b) to lose 50 lbs. I love short term solutions, so...
But really, I just want to get the indicator reliable and head off any bigger issues that might be related. If you tell me its just the floor switch I will lose 50 lbs.
I've been having an issue where, every so often, the dash light for the high beam wont come on. The high beams always work, but the indicator for some reason doesn't. Any idea how to fix this/ have a wiring diagram?
Not that I can reliably see it anyway, its basically right behind the wheel on my non-tilt column and I cant figure a seating position to make it easier to see without moving my head. I assume my options there are to a) wire in an auxiliary indicator or b) to lose 50 lbs. I love short term solutions, so...
But really, I just want to get the indicator reliable and head off any bigger issues that might be related. If you tell me its just the floor switch I will lose 50 lbs.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 4,119
From: Angier, NC
Well it could be a bad bulb, bad socket or bad connection socket to printed board?
I have 1 turn light that dose the same thing but mostly not work.
Also 1 dash light flickers.
I run LED dash bulbs so thinking connection just hate pulling the dash apart to fix them.
Dave ----
I have 1 turn light that dose the same thing but mostly not work.
Also 1 dash light flickers.
I run LED dash bulbs so thinking connection just hate pulling the dash apart to fix them.
Dave ----
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2019
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From: Wolfsburg
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Sheffield, AL
PossumTruck, it may not make sense, but I had the same problem. I changed the dimmer switch on the floor and the problem disappeared.
dustyroad and BlueWhiteFord... I, too, had difficulty seeing the high beam indicator due to my height and non-tilt steering wheel. A "jump wire" was soldered to the printed circuit board beginning at the high beam indicator and was connected to a 4 X 4 pigtail taken from a donor truck [my truck was 2 wheel drive]. When the high beams were on, both the blue high beam indicator and the yellow 4 X 4 indicator [far right] were illuminated. Problem solved!
dustyroad and BlueWhiteFord... I, too, had difficulty seeing the high beam indicator due to my height and non-tilt steering wheel. A "jump wire" was soldered to the printed circuit board beginning at the high beam indicator and was connected to a 4 X 4 pigtail taken from a donor truck [my truck was 2 wheel drive]. When the high beams were on, both the blue high beam indicator and the yellow 4 X 4 indicator [far right] were illuminated. Problem solved!
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 189
Likes: 25
1 - I am happy to know that I am not the only person who can't see that darn indicator.
2 - Will change the switch for ****s, why not
3 - That 4x4 light thing is a good idea. I might try something like that when I finally install the LEDs I bought 3 months ago.
If it is the switch, I'm pissed that I will have to honor my internet commitment and lose 50 lbs.
Thank everyone!
2 - Will change the switch for ****s, why not
3 - That 4x4 light thing is a good idea. I might try something like that when I finally install the LEDs I bought 3 months ago.
If it is the switch, I'm pissed that I will have to honor my internet commitment and lose 50 lbs.
Thank everyone!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
I found that using LEDs for indicators are too bright for continuous use and ended up keeping them in the turn signal indicators, only.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: NE Ohio
It never bothered me much, I can tell when my brights are on, I don't need a indicator to tell me.
Anyway our brights are about as bright as modern vehicles low beams so I couldn't really care too much if they stay on anymore.
I'm so tired of being blinded by ****ty headlights, it's time I start returning the favor.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2019
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From: Tennessee
When I pulled my cluster out, I sanded the terminal cups for the bulbs and where they sit on the printed circuit board with some 300 grit paper I had laying around. That and new bulbs woke everything up except my left turn signal stopped working and my seat belt light never comes on (or is it the brake light?). I got my ammeter working just by touching up the nuts on the back of the cluster with same paper.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
lol for it being a skinny steering wheel it blocks a lot.
It never bothered me much, I can tell when my brights are on, I don't need a indicator to tell me.
Anyway our brights are about as bright as modern vehicles low beams so I couldn't really care too much if they stay on anymore.
I'm so tired of being blinded by ****ty headlights, it's time I start returning the favor.
It never bothered me much, I can tell when my brights are on, I don't need a indicator to tell me.
Anyway our brights are about as bright as modern vehicles low beams so I couldn't really care too much if they stay on anymore.
I'm so tired of being blinded by ****ty headlights, it's time I start returning the favor.
It is night & day difference and you can tell when the hi beams are on and the low beams is not that bad either.
When I pulled my cluster out, I sanded the terminal cups for the bulbs and where they sit on the printed circuit board with some 300 grit paper I had laying around. That and new bulbs woke everything up except my left turn signal stopped working and my seat belt light never comes on (or is it the brake light?). I got my ammeter working just by touching up the nuts on the back of the cluster with same paper.
My seat belt light does came on for the count, the brake light I don't remember coming on when you first turn on the key like the seat belt one dose??
If I pull the cluster to fix them 2 LED bulbs maybe I will look why no brake light?
I have only had the buzzer, seat belt or ? work 1 time but that's ok with me but would be nice if it did work to shock people it works.
Dave ----
More Turbo
Joined: Feb 2019
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From: Wolfsburg
That's why the wheel blocks the LED hi beam light LOL
Did you do the head light relay to your truck?
It is night & day difference and you can tell when the hi beams are on and the low beams is not that bad either.
I did the same to my cluster but now the right turn has stopped and I have the upper left speedo light blinks.
My seat belt light does came on for the count, the brake light I don't remember coming on when you first turn on the key like the seat belt one dose??
If I pull the cluster to fix them 2 LED bulbs maybe I will look why no brake light?
I have only had the buzzer, seat belt or ? work 1 time but that's ok with me but would be nice if it did work to shock people it works.
Dave ----
Did you do the head light relay to your truck?
It is night & day difference and you can tell when the hi beams are on and the low beams is not that bad either.
I did the same to my cluster but now the right turn has stopped and I have the upper left speedo light blinks.
My seat belt light does came on for the count, the brake light I don't remember coming on when you first turn on the key like the seat belt one dose??
If I pull the cluster to fix them 2 LED bulbs maybe I will look why no brake light?
I have only had the buzzer, seat belt or ? work 1 time but that's ok with me but would be nice if it did work to shock people it works.
Dave ----
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,897
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From: Angier, NC
I will have to check that belt switch as I am sure its plugged in but the switch may be bad?
Then again I don't know what all was working when it was in the parts truck as everything came from it and was installed in my truck.
Heck the buzzer could be bad
Dave ----
Then again I don't know what all was working when it was in the parts truck as everything came from it and was installed in my truck.
Heck the buzzer could be bad
Dave ----
Fleet Mechanic
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From: NE Ohio
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2013
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Put down the kale! Back up slowly and move to safety. Maybe check the freezer for ice cream sandwiches.
Wiring diagrams here:
Headlamps - Gary's Garagemahal (the Bullnose bible)
If the headlights themselves work fine, the dimmer switch is not the problem. The problem is in the portion of the circuit from splice S801, through the indicator bulb, and on to ground G701. Call me Mr. Vegas, but I'd be willing to gamble your reputation on the little indicator bulb itself or the connection where the little bulb holder doohickey makes contact with the flexible circuit board on the back of the instrument cluster.
Wiring diagrams here:
Headlamps - Gary's Garagemahal (the Bullnose bible)
If the headlights themselves work fine, the dimmer switch is not the problem. The problem is in the portion of the circuit from splice S801, through the indicator bulb, and on to ground G701. Call me Mr. Vegas, but I'd be willing to gamble your reputation on the little indicator bulb itself or the connection where the little bulb holder doohickey makes contact with the flexible circuit board on the back of the instrument cluster.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,897
Likes: 4,119
From: Angier, NC
I leave for work any time between 12am and 6am and if it is at 6am I am coming home in the dark also so good head lights are a must have.
Dave ----
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