Notices

circuit breaker?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 08:15 PM
  #1  
445fe's Avatar
445fe
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
circuit breaker?

Hello,

I have a 1976 f-250 4x4 with a problem with the lights. Just started; when running lights are turned on the dash lights flicker off and on and the tail lights including breaklights will not work. I have replaced the headlight main switch along with both the hazard clicker and directional clicker. I do here a clicking under the dash that corresponds to the lights going on and off. The headlights work but will dim with each flicker. When the lights are not on the tail lights and break lights work fine. I checked my grounds on all of the lights. I do have a diagram of the wiring in my hayes book but it does not show the box located under the steeing weel behind the dash. It is bolted to a bracket that is bolted to the dash. The clicking may be coming from that. Is this a breaker for overload protection? Any suggestions would be great. Truck runs great otherwise.

Thank you
 
Reply
Old Nov 24, 2006 | 09:09 PM
  #2  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 57,005
Likes: 2,750
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
When the lights are not on the tail lights and break lights work fine. I checked my grounds on all of the lights.
How did you check the grounds? Visually? Take a long piece of wire and hook it to the negative of the battery. Take a meter and hook one probe to the wire you hooked to the battery, and touch the other probe down beside the bulb so it touches the brass part of the bulb. Do this with the headlights on. If you get any voltage reading, your ground is not good. You could also go ahead and try to stuff the wire that is hooked to the neg of the battery, down in beside the bulb so it touches the brass part. Then see if that cures the problem on that side.

I am pretty sure you have a grounding problem, and it may be a major one. The ground return starts at the brass part of the bulb, goes through the contact in the side of the socket, goes out the bottom of the socket on a wire, and this wire is bolted to the bed somewhere. Since both sides are not working, I would tend to believe the whole bed is not grounded.

If you find that it is a grounding problem(the temp bat neg wire cures the problem), I would scrape some paint away on the bed and then the frame somewhere, and run a short jumper wire from the frame to the bed. I would then go up front and run a short ground wire from the frame up front to the battery neg or the engine block. I would also run a short wire from the engine block to the firewall. This may cure the clicking under the dash too.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rustypierce
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
10
Dec 6, 2016 12:51 PM
AnthonyAloisio
1997 - 2003 F150
4
Jan 19, 2015 10:49 PM
newfordy
1997 - 2003 F150
4
Nov 9, 2014 06:29 AM
036.0stroke
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
4
Sep 25, 2013 10:07 PM
GunnyBeaty
Excursion - King of SUVs
22
Jun 7, 2013 11:04 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:58 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