Electical Nightmare.

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Aug 26, 2008 | 08:56 PM

1969F250R

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Joined: Aug 2008

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From: Gilbert, AZ

Electical Nightmare.

i was driving my truck, 1969 250 ranger. my headlights started to blink on and off and now they wont turn on at all. my yellow parklights work and so do my running light on the back but that it. now i found out that my blinkers stopped working.

are they both on the same circuit or do i have a bigger problem??

what can i do to fix my headlight problem?

please help

Thanks,
Dan

Aug 26, 2008 | 10:15 PM

Unimog005

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Joined: Jul 2004

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From: Westminster, Colorado

Start at the fuses....look/test to see if they are blown....90% or electrical is a blown fuse....

You may find burned or melted wires...that would indicate a short...possibly at the hole in the firewall or other places where the wires can rub against metal...look for frays and breaks.

Could also be the switch.... You might try testing the connections through it...or swapping it out to see if that fixes it...

Aug 27, 2008 | 06:10 AM

Pro-Street/StateTK

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Joined: Nov 2003

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From: East Flat Rock NC

69F250R

Welcome to (FTE)!

I would start with the grounds, and next the dimmer switch, and then the
more likely problem, the light switch!

Wally Womack

Aug 27, 2008 | 07:55 AM

Freightrain

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 9,893

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From: Ohio

Ya, I start with checking for power at headlight switch, then turn it on and see if you get power out? Likely it could have failed(they do), as usually they start to blink the lights as it trips on/off. Usually worse when you have the bright lights on(more draw).

Check to see how your bright switch is. These are also know to get corroded and fail. Kick it around a few times and see if it makes a difference.

Not sure where blinkers get the power? Might be same fuse, but doubt it. Could be totally unrelated, but might not? Start to look for melted wires.

Aug 27, 2008 | 08:08 AM

blue68f100

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,829

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From: Piney Woods of East Texas

The headlight switch has a auto reset breaker to handle over current. So blinking indicates it's over heating (to much load). If by chance you installed halogon headlights and not the std ones, this is the cause. Normally these will work on low beam but not high. My guess is that you fried the switch and or wire feeding it. On these models the pins are round. If your wiring is damaged you can switch over to a 72 style which is spade type and a heavier switch. The other option is to install the relay system so the headlights pull directly from the battery. This is the best option since the factory wiring was actually to small, causing a voltage drop to the lights. The relay option is shown on the technical section of this site. And I think Painless Wiring makes a wiring harness to convert to relays, Jeg's carries them.

Aug 27, 2008 | 11:04 AM

garbz2

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Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 6,060

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From: Glendale Arizona

I had similar issues with my 69 crew cab. The headlight switch was actually rusty from condensation and needed replacment, I also had the dash lights flickering after i replaced the switch. I traced this to a chaffed harness behind the speodometer cluster. A new switch and a little tape and all was fixed.

Garbz

Aug 27, 2008 | 03:00 PM

iggybob44

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Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 5,338

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From: Grants Pass, Oregon

Keep in mind the Dimmer switch location! if you have any water leaking from say a rusted out cowl section,or a leaking windshield gasket,often it may leak down onto the vicinity of the dimmer switch,and once that area gets wet,insulation and the rubber mat tend to keep it wet.even if this isnt the problem,you might be time and money ahead by just replacing light switch,and dimmer at same time along with whatever replacements/repairs are causing prob.