The Ford Barn

31deluxe · 11-26-2024, 05:21 PM

New wiring harness--- 6 volt - non signal light-

tail lights on with low beam and high beam

No tail lights with cowl lights

Should tail lights be on with cowl lights ?
Possible reasons no tail lights with cowl lights.
Thanks

Kurt in NJ · 11-26-2024, 06:21 PM

The original switch plate had the wires soldered to it.
Some of the reproduction ones have connecters that just push on —- perhaps that wire fell off.

nkaminar · 11-26-2024, 08:03 PM

I am not sure if this is the problem, but the original switch plates were phenolic that did not get soft when heated. The reproductions are a thermal setting plastic that can get soft and even melt. If there is some resistance and a large amount of current the contacts will get hot and get pushed away from the switch arm. Try to locate an original switch plate and then just solder the new wires to it.

There are two version of the switch plate, early and later. Make sure you have the right one for your car.

Big hammer · 11-26-2024, 10:03 PM

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Grease and oil are not good conductors of electricity, clean the switch body internally, the contacts need to be clean a bright !

11-26-2024, 05:21 PM	#1
31deluxe Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Hudson Valley NY Posts: 25	1931 - cowl lights - no tail light New wiring harness--- 6 volt - non signal light- tail lights on with low beam and high beam No tail lights with cowl lights Should tail lights be on with cowl lights ? Possible reasons no tail lights with cowl lights. Thanks

11-26-2024, 06:21 PM	#2
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,556	Re: 1931 - cowl lights - no tail light The original switch plate had the wires soldered to it. Some of the reproduction ones have connecters that just push on —- perhaps that wire fell off.

11-26-2024, 08:03 PM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 5,871	Re: 1931 - cowl lights - no tail light I am not sure if this is the problem, but the original switch plates were phenolic that did not get soft when heated. The reproductions are a thermal setting plastic that can get soft and even melt. If there is some resistance and a large amount of current the contacts will get hot and get pushed away from the switch arm. Try to locate an original switch plate and then just solder the new wires to it. There are two version of the switch plate, early and later. Make sure you have the right one for your car. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

11-26-2024, 10:03 PM	#4
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,431	Re: 1931 - cowl lights - no tail light Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Grease and oil are not good conductors of electricity, clean the switch body internally, the contacts need to be clean a bright ! __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done