electrical problems
View Poll Results: 302 or 351 police
yes
2
40.00%
no
0
0%
either or
2
40.00%
nither
1
20.00%
Voters: 5. You may not vote on this poll
electrical problems
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 935
Likes: 0
From: TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!!
maybe its groudning out somewhere. I would suggest maybe inspecting the wires and maybe replacing the sockets.
when you say the back of the switch is burnt you mean the light switch it self or the plug on the back of the bulb?
Am i the only one who didn't understand the poll?
when you say the back of the switch is burnt you mean the light switch it self or the plug on the back of the bulb?
Am i the only one who didn't understand the poll?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
My old man had a F150 that did the same, new switch fixed it.
As for the poll, not sure what the '302 or 351 police' title is all about. I'd go for the 351.
As for the poll, not sure what the '302 or 351 police' title is all about. I'd go for the 351.
Last edited by laka; Mar 17, 2004 at 03:34 AM.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
From: Glen Burnie Maryland
The biggest problem here is the undersized wiring in the head light circuit and a poorly designed headlight switch.
There is a tech article called Whiter Whites, Brighter Brights where the headlights are re-wired in the engine compartment to relieve the headlight switch of some amperage by wiring relays to the headlight switch and then the actual headlights to the other side (battery side) of the relays.
This does two things. Reduces the ampere load on the headlight switch to a level the switch can handle, and gives FULL BATTERY VOLTAGE to the headlights making them brighter. The relays will fit on the side wall aft of the battery and all the associated wiring will tuck in with the wire loom across the front.
Use 12Ga wire from the Relays to the lamps.
My lights are 20-25% brighter now, (10.5v vs 13.5v), and my headlight switch is cool to the touch when on for a while. My dash used to get hot around the switch. Not now.
There is a tech article called Whiter Whites, Brighter Brights where the headlights are re-wired in the engine compartment to relieve the headlight switch of some amperage by wiring relays to the headlight switch and then the actual headlights to the other side (battery side) of the relays.
This does two things. Reduces the ampere load on the headlight switch to a level the switch can handle, and gives FULL BATTERY VOLTAGE to the headlights making them brighter. The relays will fit on the side wall aft of the battery and all the associated wiring will tuck in with the wire loom across the front.
Use 12Ga wire from the Relays to the lamps.
My lights are 20-25% brighter now, (10.5v vs 13.5v), and my headlight switch is cool to the touch when on for a while. My dash used to get hot around the switch. Not now.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
Hey Larry, I just did the upgrade you referred to, what a difference in light output. Simple job and great results. I would highly recommend this upgrade to anyone. Check it out in my gallery.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 1
From: Concord, New Hampshire
im thinking about doing that, where did you get those nice connectors for the headlights?
and to they make them to plug into the factory headlight socket, im not a big fan of butchering a trucks wireing harness.
and to they make them to plug into the factory headlight socket, im not a big fan of butchering a trucks wireing harness.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 2
From: Montana
Larry, I assume that the "Whiter Whites" will work with later model trucks as you've already done it to your "94. Just curious, as the header in the tech article says for '60's and "70's Ford trucks. Did you have to do anything different from the article?
Regards, Rick
Regards, Rick
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
My truck is a 94 and I dident have to do anything different except for the fact that I used the 12 g wire in the whole upgrade, even the ground wire which should be the same size as your power wire.
The connectors are made by CalTerm, I picked them up at a local auto parts store. By using these connectors, I was able to tape back the drivers side factory connector, untouched. On the passenger side, with the relays mounted in the location I chose all I had to do was cut the red and green wire off the factory connector and put female spade style terminals onto the ends of the wires and then plug them right into the relays without any other changes. I then tied back the factory connector on the drivers side with the black wire still attached to the connector. If you ever wanted to return the truck to the origianal configuration, you would only have to solder the two wires back onto the passenger side connector and plug them back in, thats it!
The connectors are made by CalTerm, I picked them up at a local auto parts store. By using these connectors, I was able to tape back the drivers side factory connector, untouched. On the passenger side, with the relays mounted in the location I chose all I had to do was cut the red and green wire off the factory connector and put female spade style terminals onto the ends of the wires and then plug them right into the relays without any other changes. I then tied back the factory connector on the drivers side with the black wire still attached to the connector. If you ever wanted to return the truck to the origianal configuration, you would only have to solder the two wires back onto the passenger side connector and plug them back in, thats it!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 1
From: Concord, New Hampshire
so i have silverstar bulbs now, do you think they would be any brighter than they are currently? and i may do this anyways because ive been having problems with my dimmer switch. i think the problems fixed but i cant take chances.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,594
Likes: 144
From: SE Georgia
I went to the local parts store and they sell replacement headlight sockets. That means you can just protect the stock socket from the elements and connect wires to the replacement and never worry about having to cut factory wires. They were only $5 apiece. I'm going to install them this week-end. I'll have pictures when I do
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
tylus, thats the way I did it, I liked the sounds of doing it that way too.
ATC, You should still get 20-25% brighter lights, even with the silverstar bulbs. Doing the Whiter Whites increases the voltage to the bulb socket.
ATC, You should still get 20-25% brighter lights, even with the silverstar bulbs. Doing the Whiter Whites increases the voltage to the bulb socket.