56 Fairlane light problem

[Ford Freak]

Hi Guys! My new-to-me 56 Fairlane has some electrical issues.
When I turn the headlights on, I got no taillights & dash lights. However, when I put parking lights only on, taillights & dash light work. I am thinking it's a bad switch. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance! F F

[KULTULZ]

If there is no power from the HDL SW pulled fully out, I would suspect the switch.

EDIT - If the current is not reaching the HDL BULBS connector(s)

Be careful as there is a lot of junk out there.

[Ford Freak]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

If there is no power from the HDL SW pulled fully out, I would suspect the switch.

Be careful as there is a lot of junk out there.

This car has a universal headlight switch. I tried a new one, same problem. Been also tracing wires. Thanks anyways KULTULZ, for the reply!

[miker98038]

If I recall, the ford switch keeps the parking and dash lights on when you pull the rest of the way out and the headlights come on. I’ll bet the universe sw doesn’t do that. You can buy the correct switch from the ford guys. I’ve had similarly problems with “universal” ignition switches. Not always the same and the factory ones.

[Ford Freak]

Mike: When I pull the switch out to the 1st position, the parking lights, dash lights,& tail lights all come on as they should when the switch is in that position. Her lies the problem: When I pull the knob all the way out, the headlights come on, but the dash lights & tail lights go off. Now, maybe the parking lights stay on when the headlights are on with this year Ford, as you claim, but the dash & tail lights should not never go off when knob is pulled all the way out. Help!!!!!

[KULTULZ]

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Just out of curiosity, what is a 'universal switch'?

You need either a NOS or quality aftermarket switch.

[Ford blue blood]

The parking lights go off when the head lights are on. It was like that into the 60s. There is a separate terminal on the switch for the park lights and one other for the dash and tail lights. The dash/tail light terminal will be hot on the first click and on the second click (head lights on). Look at the wires, seams like they are hooked up wrong, that is the tail/dash lights are hooked to the park light terminal.

[Ford Freak]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Just out of curiosity, what is a 'universal switch'?

You need either a NOS or quality aftermarket switch.

Hey KULTULZ! A "universal switch" is one for instance, that might be used on a street rod. Same as on an ignition switch. It is not made by Ford, GM, Mopar, AMC, etc.This car has been rewired, and it's a nice, neat job, just a bit wrong! I will keep digging on this until I find it. Thanks guys! F F

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Ford Freak

A "universal switch" is one for instance, that might be used on a street rod. Same as on an ignition switch. It is not made by Ford, GM, Mopar, AMC, etc.This car has been rewired, and it's a nice, neat job, just a bit wrong! I will keep digging on this until I find it. Thanks guys! F F

... hmmpf ...

The car was rewired and that type of SW was chosen ...

Most likely it was not wired in correctly.

[Ford Freak]

[QUOTE=KULTULZ;2343151]... hmmpf ...

The car was rewired and that type of SW was chosen ...

Most likely it was not wired in correctly.[/QUOTE
Well, after checking/tracing wires, etc., I found a couple wires come off that had been pulled off of their crimp connecters. I may have helped them with my hands as I was messing under the dash the dash. So that problem is solved!
Also the 10 amp fuse it had for that circuit was blown. I replaced it w/a new 10 amp one, left the lights on and it blew after about 5 min.
The owners manual says to use a 12 amp fuse for that circuit. Would a 15 amp fuse be ok? As always, thanks in advance!

[KULTULZ]

The owners manual says to use a 12 amp fuse for that circuit. Would a 15 amp fuse be ok?

Never go over the rated fuse call-out for a circuit.

[Ford Freak]

miker98038- You were right! The parking lights do stay on when the headlights are on, even w/the "generic/universal" switch on my car. Learn something new, every day! - F F

[miker98038]

If it’s “all rewired” does that mean it’s got a fuse panel? The reason I ask is most aftermarket wiring kits will be based on 10 or 15 amp fuses. If it’s a reproduction oem harness, then you should use a 12 amp. But if it’s holding for 5 minutes on a 10 it’s not a direct short. So you can probably get by with a 15 amp. What style fuse is it?

I wasn’t really right on the switch, Fbb had it right.

[KULTULZ]

Well, after checking/tracing wires, etc., I found a couple wires come off that had been pulled off of their crimp connecters. I may have helped them with my hands as I was messing under the dash the dash. So that problem is solved!

The rewire sounds like a nightmare.

Does it have a fuse box or the inline use holders?

Have you ever seen a car burn from an electrical fire?

[KULTULZ]

As I remember ...

The HDL SW when pulled out to the 1st position gave parking, tail lamps and instrument panel lamps.

The 2nd position gave headlamps but cut the parking lamps off.

[Ford Freak]

Good Morning Guys! Yes, car does have a fuse panel. It has the modern plastic type fuses.To me its not really a nightmare. Not just yet anyways! lol I do wish it had the original wiring in it. I purchased the car for its solid body, floors, frame, nice interior, good paint & chrome. The powertrain is a 351C engine & C4 trans. Obviously it's not original, and that's ok w/me. It has some electrical & mechanical issues, but I knew that going in. Electrical has never been my forte, but w/a shop manual, & help from you guys, I will get things straitened out here. Thanks guys for all the your reply's & suggestions!
- F F

[KULTULZ]

I purchased the car for its solid body, floors, frame, nice interior, good paint & chrome. The powertrain is a 351C engine & C4 trans.

Nothing wrong with that.

She sounds nice. Any photos or are you afraid one of us will fall in love with her and try to woo her over?

[Ford Freak]

Originally Posted by KULTULZ

Nothing wrong with that.

She sounds nice. Any photos or are you afraid one of us will fall in love with her and try to woo her over?

It's certainly not a "show car," but then I didn't pay $how car money for it. It's just a clean driver like my '65 Falcon & '52 F1. It will keep me busy this winter making a reliable & safe cruiser. You guys haven't heard the last of me on this "project" I have in my garage. I got my first old '56 in1972 for $175.00. You can't get a good used grill for that today! I will try to post some pics in the near future. Thanks again guys! F F

[KULTULZ]

OH!

You night want to disconnect the battery when not around it until you find all the faults.

Did the guy use an aftermarket harness or was it free wired?

[Ford Freak]

It's an aftermarket harness. The seller did not do anything on it for a few yrs. but drive jt. Said he got it from a guy in Michigan.