Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

I have a 1929 Std Coupe. It has the 4 position switch. Left one click, Straight down, and right one click, right second click or said another way 7 o clock, 6 o clock, 5 o clock and 4 o clock. I am putting the car back together after painting and it seems to me 5 o clock used to activate low beam and 4 o clock used to activate high beam and now they are reversed??? Is it possible to put the wire holder assembly in wrong? I thought it was keyed. I also seem to have variable light output and I suspect I am not making good ground after the paint job and re-assembly. Is there a method to establish a solid ground connection....the positive ground always messes me up. I think I want to get something from the body to one of the light wires, but I am not certain if it goes there or just to the light body. Thoughts on this? Sorry simple stuff, but it isn't clicking for me.

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

I always run a separate ground wire to the headlights rather than depend on finding a ground path thru paint, rust, etc.

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

CarlG - That is what I was thinking would be a good plan. Just curious where do you connect on the headlight and then do you run it down the Chrome wire conduit to the frame?

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

5 should be low and 4 should be high, but, it really doesn't make much difference.

I too run a separate wire from each headlight socket thru the conduit to a good ground.

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

Joe,

The ground wire needs to go on the light socket. I put a ring on a ground wire, and then ran the adjusting screw for the light socket thru the ring behind the socket. Then ran the wire thru the conduit to a ground.

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

Just one thought, if you happen to be running sealed beam headlights with the 3-prong plug.

I am going from memory, but on the Model A, I believe the red headlight wire is low beam and the green wire is high. On the three prong plug, it's the opposite.

If you are running sealed beams, you may need to swap red to green on that particular connection in the headlight bucket.

If you are not running sealed beams, then forget the above.

I also ran a separate 16 gauge ground wire into the bucket through the conduit to a ground point where the radiator shell bolts to the support.

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

Either the wires in the harness are in the wrong locations in the bakelite connector, or the repro sockets have the wires in the wrong locations.

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

Pull out each headlight bulb. Turn them over 180* and reinsert in socket.
Should do the trick

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

What Richard said: x2. :) Jeff

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

I have this arrangement but the tail light (not brake light ) is on in #7 position. Is this considered a parking light? Earley 28 Tudor.

John

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

Tail light should be on in all positions but 6 o'clock.

A bit off topic but do most people also run a separate ground to the tail light? I've lost mine twice now driving at night... not sure how to keep the ground path clean enough.

Re: Headlight Switch positions Swapped?
 

On my 1928 Phaeton I simply tucked a wire in the side of each bulb as I installed the bulbs. Due to hidden rust one of the sockets wasn't grounding, but now both bulbs work fine. Once I restore the taillight the rust will be gone.