Headlights and Ammeter
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From: chaplin usa
Headlights and Ammeter
I have 1979 F250 that I put a new 351 windsor in.I have had no problems for more than a year. Now my headlights are pulsating and my ammeter is jumping fast and hard to the right. I have replaced voltage regulator,checked ground wires that run from hood to firewall,frame to fenderwell,block to firewall and negative battery cable to block.I have had the alternator checked it was good and the dimmer switch is ayear old. Any help would be appreciated .P.S The lights don't go out they just strobe.
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Headlights and Ammeter
You have two options:
On a ford the main power to the lights goes through the switch.
1)Replace the headlight switch and watch for your problem again.
2)Wire the headlights up through relays > A copy of the system can be seen in the tech article
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/articles/delanty/brighter_lights.html| Whiter Whites > Brighter Brights]
or here [link
wp.clearsource.net/dsigns/james/headlights.htm| Headlights Through relays]
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On a ford the main power to the lights goes through the switch.
1)Replace the headlight switch and watch for your problem again.
2)Wire the headlights up through relays > A copy of the system can be seen in the tech article
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/articles/delanty/brighter_lights.html| Whiter Whites > Brighter Brights]
or here [link
wp.clearsource.net/dsigns/james/headlights.htm| Headlights Through relays]http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/2cents.gif
[font color=red]Dennis
FTE Assistant Administrator
[/font]
[link: motorhaven.autoanything.com|How YOU Can Support This Site]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/canada_flag_animated.gif
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|Club FTE]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
64 1/2 Mustang Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
68-Mustang 289 2v-Sunlit Gold
[/font]
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
Headlights and Ammeter
Kind of sounds like the voltage is fluctuating, usually first place you notice this is in the lights.
Have you checked with a voltmeter while it is doing this? Still could be the regulator they are not always good because they are new. Or how about the alternator belt is old, cracked, glazed etc etc. So when you put a bigger load on the alternator the belt slips.
Sparky
Have you checked with a voltmeter while it is doing this? Still could be the regulator they are not always good because they are new. Or how about the alternator belt is old, cracked, glazed etc etc. So when you put a bigger load on the alternator the belt slips.
Sparky
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: chaplin usa
Headlights and Ammeter
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Aug-02 AT 09:11 PM (EST)]thats kinda what I thought but Im not much of a mechanic, I haven't checked it with a volt meter. I have tried a few different regulators though ,no luck. As far as the belt goes, it's as old as the engine, about a year old. I do have a new one, guess I can try it.I hope thats it, seems like I've tried everything else. Thanks David P.S It does the samething at idel.
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,157
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From: Central Kali
Headlights and Ammeter
It appears that you are getting an intermittent high current load on the electrical system. This would explain the ammeter going to the discharge side. I would look at the wiring for any exposed wires that may be touching metal. If you don't find anything, start disconnecting circuits to make the problem go away, pull fuses. Let us know what you find.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
Headlights and Ammeter
That is why I suggested the slipping belt. Alternator is charging ....then belts slips and it isnt. So ammeter shows charge then discharge.
I would think he would have fuses or fusible links blowing if there was a wire touching ground?? But that is just me
Sparky
I would think he would have fuses or fusible links blowing if there was a wire touching ground?? But that is just me
Sparky
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Central Kali
Headlights and Ammeter
I have had one experience with a loose belt. In the daytime with only the ignition operating, the battery voltage was fine. When the headlights were turned on, I had a slight, steady discharge from the battery. Tightened the belt and everything was fine.
The headlights going into the strobe mode would tell me that system voltage is dropping quite a lot. If the alternator was intermitent, and the battery was good, the headlights would dim a little. A little voltmeter probing would be very helpful here.
The headlights going into the strobe mode would tell me that system voltage is dropping quite a lot. If the alternator was intermitent, and the battery was good, the headlights would dim a little. A little voltmeter probing would be very helpful here.
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