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Nice to find this site. I just bought a 79 F-150 and the headlights both are out. I look in the Chilton's guide and don't see a fuse for the lights. The parking lights work. My question is, is there a fuse somewhere for just the headlights that I can't find? Maybe in the floor near the highbeams?
My first guess would be that you're having issues with those high beam buttons. I have never seen 2 on a truck before so somebody probably screwed something up there really good. I would investigate this first. A couple weeks back I got into my truck at night and had the exact same thing, park lights but no headlights. Messed around with it for 15 minutes, tracking every wire I could to no avail. Finally, frustrated and ready to give up, I bumped my highbeam button and they came on. I had tapped it earlier in the day not knowing it. Apparently it was stuck in between and made no contact. Check it out!
Btw, awesome truck! Is it 4x4? And welcome to FTE!!!
First try the obvious, Replace one or both of the headlights. Otherwise replace the headlight switch. There is a circuit breaker on the switch. Usually when it goes bad the headlights start flashing on and off as the breaker makes and breaks the circuit.
If you have 2 dimmer switches, I would first look under the truck and see if you have 2 transmissions. Gear Vendors and other overdrive auxilliary transmission manufacturers use a dimmer type switch to engage the overdrive. Otherwise trace the wires from the switches and see where they go.
If you have 2 dimmer switches, I would first look under the truck and see if you have 2 transmissions. Gear Vendors and other overdrive auxilliary transmission manufacturers use a dimmer type switch to engage the overdrive.
I didn't even think about that. What an unexpected bonus THAT would be!
The second highbeam switch wasn't even hooked up and it had the wrong plug on it, so I bought a new HB switch, pulled both of the other ones and plugged it in and now everything works. I can drive at night. Very cool.
Check this link out for an idea on how to make your lights brighter. I did it to mine and you can't believe the difference. I bought new lights at wally world, and the relays at Autozone. I have a light meter I use at work and tested before and after light output. At 25 feet it was better than double. With the new headlights alone it was about 40% better. https://www.ford-trucks.com/articles...er_lights.html
ivan, it sure does look like a 4X4 to me. That thing look's to be pretty much a factory truck! Stock paint also by the look's of it. Nice truck tirch and welcome to a great forum!
Woops, on edit I see that someone changed the motor, nice looking shortbed
Last edited by ranger429; May 26, 2004 at 02:29 PM.
Wow! I never paid much attention to it in the past but I was unaware that these trucks didn't use a headlight relay. Thanks for the link Jim! I'm going to have to try this next month.