Headlight switch

[46HARLEY]

Just got most of the wiring done on 1946 Fordor. I am a little confused as to why when I turn on the headlights the parking lights go out ? From what I have discovered that is how it is supposed to be. My question is what is the best way to have parking / tail lights stay on when headlights are on. Thanks for any help you can provide. Larry

[1942deluxe]

That is how they are supposed to work. From what I've read wired that way so there would be no confusion if the parking lights were on the car was not moving (parked). On my 1942 which I rewired with Dennis Carpenter's harnesses it works the same way. The switch works with the ignition on or off. On my 48 with non original wiring the ignition switch has to be on. When I got the car both the headlights and parking lights came on at the same time as I recall. wonder what would happen if you put the parking light wire on the headlight terminal? Anyway it sounds like you have it correct as it is.

[paul2748]

You would have to run a jumper wire from the headlight terminal on the switch to the parking light terminal on the switch. I did this on my 54 Ford.

[46HARLEY]

Thanks for the replies, with the jumper do the headlights come on when switch is in the parking light position ? I assume they would, not that would be a problem. I will try the jumper and see how it goes. Wonder if adding another switch in some fashion might be an option.

[1942deluxe]

Parking lights come on when you pull the switch halfway out. With switch pulled out all the way headlights come on. So the headlights aren't on when the parking lights are on and the parking lights go out when you pull the switch all the way out.

[JayChicago]

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Originally Posted by 46HARLEY

Thanks for the replies, with the jumper do the headlights come on when switch is in the parking light position ? I assume they would, not that would be a problem. I will try the jumper and see how it goes. Wonder if adding another switch in some fashion might be an option.

You are correct. Jumper will have headlights on in both switch positions

Put the parking light wire on same terminal as tail light wire.

[paul2748]

edited

Originally Posted by 1942deluxe

Parking lights come on when you pull the switch halfway out. With switch pulled out all the way headlights come on. So the headlights aren't on when the parking lights are on and the parking lights go out when you pull the switch all the way out.

[38 coupe]

Why do you want the parking lights to be on when the head lights are on?

[46HARLEY]

I meant to say tail lights, I didn’t catch my error.

[38 coupe]

Sounds like the tail lights may be hooked up to the parking light lug on the light switch. I would try verifying wire location first. If that isn't the problem then I would test the headlight switch with a multi-meter to verify the tail light lug is getting power when it should.