Classic Mustangs List Archive

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Mail From: BNDorny (Dorny, Brett)

This morning when I went to leave for work, the headlights would not turn on. The taillights are operating fine, and the headlights worked last night. Before I attack the eletrical system, I thought I would ask the list for any wisdom or suggestions. It has been mighty cold here in Massachusetts recently, but that has not affected the lights before.

Thanks.

Brett Dorny
'65 Convertible, 6 cyl, 3sp


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Mail From: rrobaldo (Lance Robaldo)

If I were you I'd do a quick visual check of the wiring just to be sure, but I'd bet that your headlight switch itself is the culprit.

In 65 Ford didn't use headlight relays, so the full headlight current runs through the headlight switch. The switches have a tendency to burn out because of this.

BTW, if it does turn out to be the switch, check with your local NAPA Dealer/Pep-Boys/Autozone, etc....
They usually have the proper switches in-stock MUCH cheaper than the specialized Mustang suppliers.

Replacing the switch is easy. You can do it two ways, the easy way, or the hard way (like I did).

To do it the easy way, remove your instrument panel , reach in and press a button located on the top of the switch, then pull out the knob. You can then un-screw the switch bezel with a standard screwdriver.
Reverse the process to replace the new switch.

The hard way involves being a bit of a contortionist. It's not easy, but it IS POSSIBLE to reach under the dash and press the button. Then remove the switch as stated above. The hard part is unplugging and re-plugging the wiring harness. You have to do it "blind with one hand".

The first time I did it, it took me over an hour this way. The next time, I removed the instrument panel and had the entire job done in about 10 minutes...

While you're at it, you might want to consider putting a headlight relay in. You'll be rewarded with substantially brighter headlights, and far less current going through 40 year old wires. (is that smoke I smell??)

Do a google search and you'll find quite a few places documenting how to do this.


Good Luck.


Lance Robaldo
(email redacted)

----- Original Message -----
From: Dorny, Brett
To: A list for owners of Classic Mustangs
Sent: Tuesday, December 09, 2003 9:17 AM
Subject: [CM] Headlight Problems


This morning when I went to leave for work, the headlights would not turn on. The taillights are operating fine, and the headlights worked last night. Before I attack the eletrical system, I thought I would ask the list for any wisdom or suggestions. It has been mighty cold here in Massachusetts recently, but that has not affected the lights before.

Thanks.

Brett Dorny
'65 Convertible, 6 cyl, 3sp

STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY:
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Mail From: tcob32256 (john ljh)

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Mail From: cwdaniel ((email redacted))

Faulty dimmer switch maybe?



>
> From: "Dorny, Brett" <(email redacted)>
> Date: 2003/12/09 Tue AM 09:17:03 EST
> To: "A list for owners of Classic Mustangs" <(email redacted)>
> Subject: [CM] Headlight Problems
>
> This morning when I went to leave for work, the headlights would not turn on. The taillights are operating fine, and the headlights worked last night. Before I attack the eletrical system, I thought I would ask the list for any wisdom or suggestions. It has been mighty cold here in Massachusetts recently, but that has not affected the lights before.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Brett Dorny
> '65 Convertible, 6 cyl, 3sp
>
>
> STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY:
> The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. immediately at either (617) 542-6000 or at (email redacted), and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Classic-mustangs mailing list
> (email redacted)
> lists.twistedpair.ca/mailman/listinfo.cgi/classic-mustangs
>
>
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Mail From: JCur320984 ((email redacted))

Had a similar incident on another old vehicle, though not a Ford. Turned out
to be the dimmer switch. Actuate it a few times with the light switch on and
see what happens. easier to get to than most of the other stuff, so I'd try
that first.
Joe C. (AR)
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Mail From: natas_mustbe (Natas Mustbe)

Hi,

If you plan to add a relay for your headlights, take a look to my web-site,
there's a datasheet for this !
Search in FRENCH PART because I've not yet translate...
Click on "Tech" in the menu then on "Am?lioration des phares" (make your
lights better)
and here you'll get 3 pictures showing :
first : original settings
second and third : relay added (sames but the 2nd is a simplified view)

Good Luck !!

Niko
(email redacted)
mustang69.com/





>From: <(email redacted)>
>Reply-To: A list for owners of Classic Mustangs
><(email redacted)>
>To: A list for owners of Classic Mustangs
><(email redacted)>
>Subject: Re: [CM] Headlight Problems
>Date: Tue, 9 Dec 2003 13:30:35 -0500
>
>Faulty dimmer switch maybe?
>
>
>
> >
> > From: "Dorny, Brett" <(email redacted)>
> > Date: 2003/12/09 Tue AM 09:17:03 EST
> > To: "A list for owners of Classic Mustangs"
><(email redacted)>
> > Subject: [CM] Headlight Problems
> >
> > This morning when I went to leave for work, the headlights would not
>turn on. The taillights are operating fine, and the headlights worked last
>night. Before I attack the eletrical system, I thought I would ask the
>list for any wisdom or suggestions. It has been mighty cold here in
>Massachusetts recently, but that has not affected the lights before.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Brett Dorny
> > '65 Convertible, 6 cyl, 3sp
> >
> >
> > STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY:
> > The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments
>to this message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and
>may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the
>intended recipient, please notify Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and
>Popeo, P.C. immediately at either (617) 542-6000 or at
>(email redacted), and destroy all copies of this message and any
>attachments.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Classic-mustangs mailing list
> > (email redacted)
> > lists.twistedpair.ca/mailman/listinfo.cgi/classic-mustangs
> >
> >
>_______________________________________________
>Classic-mustangs mailing list
>(email redacted)
>lists.twistedpair.ca/mailman/listinfo.cgi/classic-mustangs

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Mail From: KalliPa1 ((email redacted))

The dimmer switch is cheap! AND...believe this or not...it is the same
switcvh as used on heavy duty Ford trucks for 2002! The switch is on the floor for
those models...guess it wasnt so bad after all in those days! LOl Jim

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Mail From: mstrawn1 (Michael Strawn (Fordman))

The problem seems to have been covered. I had, at different times, Bad dimmer switch. No lights. Bad Headlight switch. No lights. The dimmer is easiest, and if the cowl has ever leaked, is probably corroded. The relay system that Natas mentioned is a killer setup. I have not yet done that to my mustang, but I did it on my '77 F100 pickup. It makes a world of difference, especially with some Sylvania High Output headlights installed. Good luck on the problem, and I'm hoping that you have a garage to work inside of.
Michael Strawn
(Fordman)
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Mail From: BNDorny (Dorny, Brett)

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I replaced the dimmer switch about four months ago, so my guess is the headlight switch. However, as various people mentioned, the parts are cheap. So, I will replace both. I can't get to it until the weekend, but will keep people updated.

Brett Dorny
'65 convertible, 6 cyl, 3sp


STATEMENT OF CONFIDENTIALITY:
The information contained in this electronic message and any attachments to this message are intended for the exclusive use of the addressee(s) and may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C. immediately at either (617) 542-6000 or at (email redacted), and destroy all copies of this message and any attachments.