Fuse location for headlights

[mjdunn]

I have a 1939 Ford DeLuxe Tudor. I apparently have blown a fuse that I cannot find. All at once no power to the headlights, tail lights, dome lights, brake lights, and horn. Are all of these on one fuse? Where is the fuse and what kind of fuse is it?

[Kube]

Fuse? No fuse my friend. There is a headlamp circuit breaker beneath the dash. It is on the left side, near the top of the cowl just adjacent to the parking brake handle (assembly). There are two electrical pieces to this unit. The ignition resistor is on the left. The circuit breaker on the right.
If all of the things you mentioned were working and all went out at once i am guessing you have an issue other than the breaker.
To test the breaker, turn the ignition switch on and check for power at both terminals.

[mjdunn]

Kube. I found what you are talking about and to the right of the ignition resistor is actually a 20 amp glass fuse. I replaced the fuse and everything works. Thanks for your help.

[33cabriolet]

Don't use a fuse on the headlight circuit a, circuit breaker will come back on and give a chance to get stopped. on a dark road it is a real awaking if the lights don't come back on.

[Tom/SC]

!939 Ford Standard used the 20 amp fuse to protect the light system. The 39 Deluxe used the circuit breaker instead as did the 1940 Ford. Tom

[mjdunn]

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I just bought the car a month ago and it has a fuse instead of a circuit breaker. Maybe someone changed it. Tom/SC, my car is a DeLuxe so I don't know why it would have a fuse, which suggests that it may have been changed.

[Planojc]

My 39 STD has the breaker, no fuse.

[alan]

probably some one in the past did not quite know about the circuit breaker function and added the fuse for more protection--up the amps to 30, maybe it will not blow as quick

[Dec211975]

probably some one in the past did not quite know about the circuit breaker function and added the fuse for more protection--up the amps to 30, maybe it will not blow as quick

Great idea!! then you can have an electrical fire. been there done that; but it was when I was 16. Save your 2 cents Allen you may need them to put under a fuse.

[Tom/SC]

MJ I own old Fords which came with a fuse and other old Fords that came with a circuit breaker. I have to believe that the circuit breaker is an improvement over the fuse. I remember buying a circuit breaker that is designed to snap into the slots that the fuse snapped into originaly. Maybe you can find one of those if you so chose. The 39 Deluxe is one of my favorites. I own a 39 Deluxe convertible coupe. Good luck with your 39 Ford! Tom

[mjdunn]

Thanks guys. I appreciate all of your input. I am going to go with the 20 amp fuse as long as it works.

[ford38v8]

mj, If it blows again, the usual suspect to cause a blown fuse is the headlight dimmer switch. That, and frayed wires touching ground somewhere.

The early circuit breaker was not actually a breaker as we know them today. It was actually an intermittent on/off switch that buzzed loudly as it cut in and out to prevent the circuits from overheating. A pain in the rear, but effective.

[mjdunn]

Thanks Alan.