Lights Out??
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Ridgeway, Virginia
Lights Out??
My 65 has a shocking habbit of the lights going out while driving down my deer infested Virginia rural route. Not fun. It seems like it happens when I am running high beams. The dimmer would be the first thing one would think of causing that problem so I replaced it. The old one had a sloppy click. Just didnt feel right. I was proud of the new install with perfect action till tonight. Lights out again! I guess I need to think about the headlight switch since when this happens my hasty reaction is to franticly push the switch in and out and they pop back on.
Anybody have similar troubles? Repairs?
Anybody have similar troubles? Repairs?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
Very common problem in these trucks. The Circuit breaker inside is weak and is cutting in and out. Replace it with a new switch. Also make sure your grounds are good as bad grounds for the lights create resistance which equals heat and light switches hate the heat.
Barry
Barry
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Illinois
also look at the tech articles for the one about headlight relays (brighter whites,,,,). We have done this to 3 of our old trucks and it makes a world of difference. We live in the country and it is nice having bright headlights on these open roads.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,813
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From: Connecticut
He mentioned he replaced the dimmer switch, so I think it's either a bad H/L sw. or bad grounds. The 73-79's are notorious for this. The later 80's trucks will melt the harness under the dash and start a fire if your not careful.
Barry
Barry
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Ridgeway, Virginia
Originally Posted by barry
The 73-79's are notorious for this. The later 80's trucks will melt the harness under the dash and start a fire if your not careful.
Barry
Barry
Anyhow I took my switch out and sprayed contact cleaner in it and worked it vigorously back and forth. Works for antique radios and old TV tuners. It doesent work on my Ford. Actually they only went out once all night which is better but not good enough.
Change switch tommorow...
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Napa
If, and this is a big if, the new switch doesn't work check your ground. But I'm pretty sure it's the switch. My headlights would go out if I hit the brakes hard enough, or punched the gas. Took me a week to figure it out...after replacing everything from the cab to the headlights.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 289
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From: Raleigh, NC
Here's a suggestion to test the headlight switch. Wait at idle for a few minutes till the normal time elapses and the lights start blinking. Disconnect one of your headlights and see if the blinking stops then you'll know the current was reduced and the bimetallic switch stays closed. My truck does the same thing and I just haven't made it down to the Au+ozone for the $11 switch. After all, how long before a new switch will be needed? I completely agree with the relay upgrade if you want to go with the brighter whites and it wouldn't hurt to have a fuse as a backup on this circuit. My wiper's bimetallic switch fused together and lukily only took out the switch.
Steve
Steve
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Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Kindersley, Sask
Switch
Quite possible is headlight switch, but sometimes high resistance in wiring or connectors causing switch to fail. If new switch fixes it I would still I check all connectors and grounds.
BB1
BB1
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