parking lights
Guest
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parking lights
i hesitate to post this question since i have owned this truck for over twenty years so here goes:
i was parked in front of a store which had glass front windows, and i noticed that when i pulled the switch from parking lights to headlights the front parking lights went off when the headlights came on. first time i ever noticed this phenominon. is my truck possessed, or is this the ford engineers idea of a good prank?
in other words i am assuming there is no malfunction.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,525
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parking lights
Well,i wish I could tell you not to worry about it,but in fact, it is a problem! If your front park lights go out when you engage the headlights,the headlight switch is at fault.Both circuits are supposed to work when in the full on position.There may be a dead spot between the 2 positions,but the park lights are supposed to be on when you reach the headlight position.Also with this condition,you probably won't have any rear tail lights when engageing the headlights,which could lead you to a fine if a cop notices this.The headlight switch should be the culprit if the park & tail lights work fine in the first postion of the switch,but not the second.
Phillip
Phillip
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Posts: n/a
parking lights
oh great, the tailights are working fine.
i was hoping that this was just a cute little characteristic of this truck, i have never had any problem getting an inspection sticker, and i have i never noticed this before. maybe this is a new problem.
i guess i will start with a new light switch and go from there.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,415
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From: Comox Valley, Canada
parking lights
Check the grounds for the headlights and the front parking lights. They are located just behind the lights and, if I remember right, they are on the same ground stud.
The power wires for the front and back parking/tail lights come off the same contact of the headlight switch. So it probably isnt the switch at fault, notice I say probably as electricity is real funny stuff. Corroded grounds can do werid things.
Good luck.
The power wires for the front and back parking/tail lights come off the same contact of the headlight switch. So it probably isnt the switch at fault, notice I say probably as electricity is real funny stuff. Corroded grounds can do werid things.
Good luck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
parking lights
The older models did not run the parking lights with the headlights. That came along maybe in the early seventies, along with side markers.
One on my 66s was in the yard and I went and checked it.
If you wish to have you front lights work with the headlights tie them with the tail lights.
John
One on my 66s was in the yard and I went and checked it.
If you wish to have you front lights work with the headlights tie them with the tail lights.
John
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
parking lights
JFrank, it is called progress from not knowing. The park lights went from white to amber, then they added back up lights, then side markers, then amber tail signals, lights on the inside door panels. Now the Expiditions have signal arrows on the mirrors.
John
John
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 194
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From: Washington
parking lights
Well, just so my wife thinks I am nuts I went and tried my 67, with headlights no park. 68 same thing and the 70 same thing. The 72 has both. but over the years I have found headlights switches in 67-72 can sure cause a lot of grief and that with bad grounds can stump you on the ele. problems
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Oklahoma
parking lights
I had it explained to me by a Ford Engineer when I worked in Michigan that the reason why the parking lights go out when turning the headlights on is, because with the headlights on the parking lights are not as visable from oncoming traffic.
If the parking lights were on while the headlights
were on oncoming traffic could not distiguish the
parking lights from the turn signal as well and may not see the turn signal flashing as well.
It depended on how far the headlights were from the parking/turn signal lights.
If the parking lights were on while the headlights
were on oncoming traffic could not distiguish the
parking lights from the turn signal as well and may not see the turn signal flashing as well.
It depended on how far the headlights were from the parking/turn signal lights.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
parking lights
Willie that makes good sense. I am wondering about how long ago was this refering to, because it kinda backs up my theory of the changing from white to amber.
John
John
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