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

brights cause problems

Old Jul 3, 2005 | 11:10 PM
  #1  
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jbirdsvt
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brights cause problems

it's an 86 150. i got in the other night to go pull my brother out of a mud hole and when i turned the lights on, they wouldn't work. if i only turn on the parking lights (only pull switch halfway out), everything is fine. if i turn the headlights on (pull switch all the way), with the brights on, all the lights start to flicker, the headlights go very dim and flicker, and there is a slight buzzing sound. if i turn off the brights, everything is fine. the lights are bright and everything is normal. is this a problem with the headlights, the on/off switch, or the brights switch on the floor?
thanks in advance!

ps...a Z71 had already tried to pull him out, but couldn't do it. i pulled him out with no problem. chevy...HA!
 
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Old Jul 3, 2005 | 11:42 PM
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The flicker could indicate your headlight switch, itself. More information would be handy. Do you have any other lights(not stock to the truck) wired to it? Any fog/driving lamps should be wired to their own switch.

I do actually recommend, even with the stock headlights, that you install a relay in the circuit. You'll find the stock headlights almost double in brightness(dim and high) and with no other mods.Run the headlight switch to the relay to trigger it, run the headlight power direct from the battery, and ground to the alternator casing. The headlight switch only becomes a trigger, at this point.

Here's a basic link to wiring it up right.

http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/headlight-simple.htm
 
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Old Jul 4, 2005 | 12:14 AM
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Replace the dimmer switch.
 
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Old Jul 4, 2005 | 10:22 AM
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ditto, dimmer switch. Bet your feet were wet!
 
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Old Jul 4, 2005 | 05:21 PM
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I would change the dimmer switch on the floor as well. They are about $8 or so. I had a bad one on a truck once and the lights started flickering and then it started to smell.

Changed it and problem gone. Good luck!

-Matt
 
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Old Jul 4, 2005 | 09:45 PM
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thanks ya'll. it didn't even occur to me, but you're probably right. i did get caught out in the rain the other day and i'm sure that switch got wet at some point. thanks a lot!
 
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Old Jul 4, 2005 | 11:36 PM
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Those floor dimmer switches like to corrode. Replace the switch and check the wires in the plug as well. If it's all green and nasty in there, some wireing repair may be necessary too.

Good luck,
 
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