Thread: Lighting issues
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Old 08-11-2019, 07:39 AM   #3
Joe K
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Join Date: Jul 2010
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Default Re: Lighting issues

The wiring diagram of the car should help. See https://lesmodela.files.wordpress.co...ng-diagram.pdf

Note the wire colors match the diagram, and the switch plate is "corresponded" to agree with the description above.

Also note that many have problems with wiring harnesses bought from the vendors since the "bullet ends" are crimped in place: original bullet ends were brass and soldered on. The modern replacement "couplers" that take these bullet ends are pretty good but repop bullet ends are not held reliably or consistently.

Also note that many have problems with the switch plate coming with the new harnesses - something about the brass contacts which an original or repop switch contactor cannot or won't follow.

Also note that many have had problems with repop bulb sockets. The plastic these are made of now are wont to melt and the impresses on the metal part are not made deep enough to align correctly with the sleeves in the headlamp reflectors or the sleeve at the connector fitting.

Also note that reflectors themselves are frequently found with a non-parabolic curve and won't reflect properly. Also the ferrules that take the sockets can "turn" and make the socket an incorrect orientation to the reflector.

There are a whole host of problems with the repop parts for the headlights. Mostly coming from people working from what they think the parts should be and NOT what the Ford parts drawings show. Also quality control is an issue.

Additionally some cars were "early" in Ford production (Type H headlights) and these have a distinctly different wiring diagram. Look at the feelers on the switch. If there are four four feelers/contacts, yours is early and can't be mated with the available switch plates and won't agree with the wiring diagram. If there are three contacts then everything above applies.

As originally designed the Ford switch/headlight system was made with quality parts, and would go together only one way. Orientations and tolerences were maintained and everything went together and worked on the first try.

Today we're not nearly that lucky, or intelligent, or skilled to make it happen.

Sort of like putting a man on the moon?

Joe K
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Last edited by Joe K; 08-11-2019 at 07:47 AM.
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