Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-14-2012, 05:50 PM   #1
blgitn
Senior Member
 
blgitn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Point, VA 23181
Posts: 373
Question New wiring harness, and a question:

All,

I installed the harness in my project today; When I turn the switch to 5 o'clock, the headlamps burn bright, there's power to the tail light and no power to the cowl pigtail. When I turn the switch to 7 o'clock there's power to the cowl and tail, but no headlamps. Is this correct? If so; why are there two leads to the headlamps and two filaments in the bulbs?

R/ Roger.
blgitn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2012, 06:26 PM   #2
Wello
Member
 
Wello's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Paradise, CA
Posts: 97
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

Here are my switch positions:

Parking lights--Off--Low beams--High beams
Wello is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 07-14-2012, 06:26 PM   #3
pat in Santa Cruz
Senior Member
 
pat in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: santa cruz, calif
Posts: 2,011
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

there are 2 positions to the right, first is low, then one more click to 4 o clock should be high beam. The click to 7 oclock is cowl and tail only ( parking)
pat in Santa Cruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2012, 06:34 PM   #4
blgitn
Senior Member
 
blgitn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Point, VA 23181
Posts: 373
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

Thanks. I just tried it again: It won't go past the 5 o'clock and I pushed as hard as I dare. Could I have the spider in the wrong holes or somthing?
blgitn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2012, 08:27 PM   #5
Napa Skip
Senior Member
 
Napa Skip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Napa CA
Posts: 412
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

As stated above, all the way to the left or fully clockwise at about 7 o'clock should be parking lights. Straight down at the 6 o'clock position is off. At the 5 o'clock position, you should have low beams, and all the way to the right or fully counter-clockwise at about 4 o'clock should be high beams.

Presuming you can feel the detents as you move your light control switch throughout it's full travel, do you detect 3 or 4 detents? If 4 but the last detent to the right occurs at 5 o'clock, then your steering column or light switch housing is rotated. If less than the full 4 detents, then I would remove the light switch housing, see if you have a wider range of travel left and right. If so then perhaps your light switch body is not assembled correctly or correctly installed to the light switch bracket on the end of the steering column (these are keyed but not impossible to assemble incorrectly). If not, then the problem appears to be in the light switch spider/horn rod connection (presuming your horn rod is not bent and restricting travel).
__________________
Skip Keyser
Napa Valley A's
Olympic Vintage Auto Club (1980-1982)
MARC of San Diego (1977-1978)
MAFCA (since 1978)
MARC (since 1977)
----------
Model A owners belong in their Model A’s; Model A’s belong on the road.
Napa Skip is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2012, 09:04 PM   #6
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Also, it's rare, but I have seen one 7 tooth steering where the light switch rotated due to a loose fit on the bottom plate. The bottom plate looks like it's one pice, but it's actually two pieces pressed together. By bottom plate I mean the lower bushing for the steering shaft, and the light switch bail plate, which are the two pieces pressed tightly together.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2012, 09:10 PM   #7
pat in Santa Cruz
Senior Member
 
pat in Santa Cruz's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: santa cruz, calif
Posts: 2,011
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

it is possible, but not easily, to get the spider into one of the other holes in the switch. Look inside from the column side for the two rectangular holes. Line them up with the tab on the lower outside housing. Look back into the switch from the column side. You should see area to the sides of the holes , but it will be1/3 to the right on top, and 2/3 to the left. Opposite on the bottom . If that's the case, try moving them with a small screwdriver to see if you can feel one to the left and two to the right. Some repro switch plates are difficult to move into, if yours is repro. The originals always move smoothly and with a good click into the detent.
pat in Santa Cruz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-14-2012, 09:28 PM   #8
Mike V. Florida
Senior Member
 
Mike V. Florida's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: South Florida
Posts: 14,054
Send a message via AIM to Mike V. Florida
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

This may help understand switch positions,
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Light Switch positions.jpg (33.9 KB, 86 views)
File Type: jpg Light Switch wiring.jpg (48.2 KB, 74 views)
__________________
What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II
Mike V. Florida is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2012, 12:35 AM   #9
columbiA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: B.C. Canada
Posts: 1,746
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

I could be wrong,but I think the 28 lite switch has only 3 positions--park,off and head lights.The switch is different as well as the bakelite disc on the lite harness.
columbiA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2012, 07:57 AM   #10
jw hash
Senior Member
 
jw hash's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Auburn Washington
Posts: 2,550
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

I will second the switch if you look down in the upper switch body there is a stop the one you want has two spokes like the picture on the left. the picture on the right only has two on positions.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 005 (2).jpg (27.6 KB, 36 views)
File Type: jpg 006.jpg (29.0 KB, 35 views)
jw hash is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2012, 10:23 AM   #11
blgitn
Senior Member
 
blgitn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Point, VA 23181
Posts: 373
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

Eureaka! My switch looks like the one on the right. I guess I need another one.

Does anybody need a good working original two-on-position switch?

Thank you all for your suggestions and visuals. This part is as much fun as actually building the car!

R/ Roger.
blgitn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2012, 10:57 AM   #12
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
Also, it's rare, but I have seen one 7 tooth steering where the light switch rotated due to a loose fit on the bottom plate. The bottom plate looks like it's one pice, but it's actually two pieces pressed together. By bottom plate I mean the lower bushing for the steering shaft, and the light switch bail plate, which are the two pieces pressed tightly together.
Seems that I might have one of the "rare" ones. I have yet to install the light harness but noticed mine rotates. Will the bale wire hold it in place once assembled or is there a way to lock it back tight again?
Dave
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2012, 11:13 AM   #13
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1crosscut View Post
Seems that I might have one of the "rare" ones. I have yet to install the light harness but noticed mine rotates. Will the bale wire hold it in place once assembled or is there a way to lock it back tight again?
Dave
The loose one I worked on I removed the bottom 4 bolts and took the part out, then staked it with a sharp center punch in several places all the way around. That tightened it up just fine. No, the bail will not hold it from turning if the plate is loose on the bushing.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2012, 11:15 AM   #14
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

Quote:
Originally Posted by blgitn View Post
Eureaka! My switch looks like the one on the right. I guess I need another one.

Does anybody need a good working original two-on-position switch?

Thank you all for your suggestions and visuals. This part is as much fun as actually building the car!

R/ Roger.
The fluted light switch is pretty hard to find, so you should have no trouble finding a buyer for it. I looked for a couple years to find mine.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2012, 05:07 PM   #15
blgitn
Senior Member
 
blgitn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: West Point, VA 23181
Posts: 373
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

Guys,

You were right; a friend stopped by with a headlight switch 'kit' that had four positions. I was able to put the contact ring and spring back in after cleaning the parts with brake cleaner and lubricating it all with 90w (it would be soon enough!), and it works like it ought to. The used parts are not quite as crisp in operation as the other switch: I have to wiggle it a little to get tail lights in the high beam position, but I have all four clicks. It seems I have the bulbs in upside down anyway as the high beams are at 5pm and the low at 4pm.

Thank you all again. If someone needs the three position switch, please PM me.

One step closer,,,.

R/ Roger.
blgitn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-16-2012, 06:43 AM   #16
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: New wiring harness, and a question:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
The loose one I worked on I removed the bottom 4 bolts and took the part out, then staked it with a sharp center punch in several places all the way around. That tightened it up just fine. No, the bail will not hold it from turning if the plate is loose on the bushing.
Thanks Tom.
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:10 PM.