Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Low Beams Worthless

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 2, 2022 | 03:50 PM
  #16  
h.ubk's Avatar
h.ubk
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 115
Likes: 3
Well, the new LEDs got delivered today. It looks like it has the same problem -- the low beams do not turn on and the high beams appear very bright now. I pulled out my test lamp and was able to locate the hot wire for the high beams, but nothing lights up with the low beams. I've never owned a Ford truck before, so please forgive my ignorance -- is it one pull/click for low-beams and two pulls/clicks for high-beams? It's a bit different than other vehicles I have driven.

Other than that, is there a fuse or relay to check? Perhaps I just have some broken wire somewhere....

h.ubk
 
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2022 | 03:55 PM
  #17  
dustyroad's Avatar
dustyroad
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
hi lo is controlled by the switch on the cab floor.
it could be that giving you problems. they do go out and cause issues with both lights or one.
Mine went out and I cleaned up the terminals to get it to work. It still has times where the highs don't like to come on.
Fuse is in the headlight switch it's a breaker, it's usually working or not though, no difference in what you select.
 
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2022 | 04:06 PM
  #18  
h.ubk's Avatar
h.ubk
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 115
Likes: 3
Wow, that's news to me. Is this the switch on the floor you are referencing? I tried pushing it and it doesn't seem to make a difference.

h.ubk


 
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2022 | 05:08 PM
  #19  
dustyroad's Avatar
dustyroad
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
Originally Posted by h.ubk
Wow, that's news to me. Is this the switch on the floor you are referencing? I tried pushing it and it doesn't seem to make a difference.

h.ubk

Yes that is the switch, when you push it in, the beams change. The contacts go bad inside or the connector gets nasty.
I don't know if you can take it apart to clean up the internals, maybe with some finesse. The connector is easy enough to clean up though.
They also are not that expensive to replace. I bought one because I thought mine was dead but I managed to clean it up enough to work.
Highs still don't like to come on always but a few stomps clean up the contacts enough to light em up.
 
Reply
Old Feb 2, 2022 | 05:23 PM
  #20  
h.ubk's Avatar
h.ubk
Thread Starter
|
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 115
Likes: 3
Wow, I'm excited. I get low and high beams and LED lights. Thanks for pointing that out. I had trouble getting it to work, but after removing the carpet, I was able to fully push down on the switch. Thank you!!!

h.ubk
 
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2023 | 08:43 PM
  #21  
Larry115's Avatar
Larry115
More Turbo
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 507
Likes: 39
Where can I buy these lights for my 86?
thanks
Larry
 
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2023 | 08:03 PM
  #22  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,941
Likes: 4,126
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
Originally Posted by Larry115
Where can I buy these lights for my 86?
thanks
Larry
Larry did you read my post above and below?
Before you go buying the high price LED head lights install a relay kit for them.
They will make the old sealed bulbs brighter as they will get a full 12 volts.
I would also say to go with halogen bulbs from the parts store over the cheap sealed bulbs.
If you dont like the light out put after the relays and halogen bulbs then go for the LED bulbs with the relays.

Originally Posted by FuzzFace2
For the head lights or the turn / parking lights?
I would not do LED head lights, the beam pattern is not good on the cheap ones and the good ones are a few hundred that most do not want to spend the money on. As for them for turn / park you may need to change out the flasher to use LED bulbs and note the LED have to be the same color as the lens it is behind them or they are not bright or the right color.

The top big square lights are head lights, halogen bulbs from the parts store. Yes I am running relays and it made them really bright.
The yellow lights below are turn / park lights normal 1157 bulbs from the parts store.
The driving / fog lights in the bumper , custom added by me, are halogen bulbs. The kit came with relays, wiring and switch for fog / driving.
I use normal 1157 bulbs in the tail lights and are also bright.
Dave ----
When I use the pick up to / from work I leave between 12am and early day light and I like the out put from me setup.
Dave ----


 
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2023 | 08:00 AM
  #23  
Larry115's Avatar
Larry115
More Turbo
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 507
Likes: 39
Wow the lights on your truck are awesome. Can u point me in the right direction for a relay please? This definitely seems like the way to go
Larry
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

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

 Brett Foote
Old Aug 29, 2023 | 08:14 AM
  #24  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,941
Likes: 4,126
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
I got mine from LMC years ago for other projects but used them on this truck first.
You can also find them on Ebay and maybe Amazon?
They are plug n play no cutting of wires and if a relay fails, had 1 fill with water, you can unplug the relays and go back to normal light till fixed.
Dave ----
 
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2023 | 08:24 AM
  #25  
dustyroad's Avatar
dustyroad
Fleet Mechanic
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 237
From: NE Ohio
Originally Posted by Larry115
Wow the lights on your truck are awesome. Can u point me in the right direction for a relay please? This definitely seems like the way to go
Larry
jeffs bronco graveyard has relay kits as well. Buy extra relays so you have them.
 
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2023 | 10:21 AM
  #26  
Larry115's Avatar
Larry115
More Turbo
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 507
Likes: 39
Calling Lmc now to make certain I order the correct item
thank u
larry
 
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2023 | 11:26 AM
  #27  
Larry115's Avatar
Larry115
More Turbo
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 507
Likes: 39
I ordered the wiring harness as well as an extra set of relays to keep in the glove box
thanks for the suggestion
Larry
 
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2023 | 11:32 AM
  #28  
FuzzFace2's Avatar
FuzzFace2
FTE Legend
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Liked
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,941
Likes: 4,126
From: Angier, NC
Club FTE Gold Member
I just started with an extra relay in the box just in case but at 3am and they don't turn on to go to work I take my DD.
Let us know what you think when you get them installed.
Dave. ----
 
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2023 | 01:36 PM
  #29  
Larry115's Avatar
Larry115
More Turbo
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Sep 2021
Posts: 507
Likes: 39
I will and thanks again
 
Reply
Old Aug 29, 2023 | 02:33 PM
  #30  
McLeod's Avatar
McLeod
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 296
If a relay failed you could simply reconnect the headlights back to the OEM way as long as you haven't cut any wires that would hamper that.
Most of these harnesses are plug and play
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:34 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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