The Ford Barn

fordfrank · 06-27-2010, 01:02 PM

guys,
i have a 31 with cowl lights. the guy i bought it off of gave me a brand new wiring harness for a model a without cowl lights. when i look at the wiring diagram (I only have a decent wiring diagram for a model a without cowl lights) it looks to me like I could take the yellow/black wires on that harness (which, according to the diagram is for the park lights) and run those wires to the cowl lights.
Would that work? Would the voltage be OK? What was the purpose of the cowl lights anyway? Do they serve the same purpose as park lights and run the same wattage bulb and all? Just don't want to fry anything.
Thanks for any insights.

CWPASADENA · 06-27-2010, 05:55 PM

You are on the right track.

Cowl lights provide the park light function. From the factory, cowl light cars only had a head light bulb socket in the head light reflectors. Non-Cowl light cars had a second socket in the reflectors for the small parking light bulb. Just tap into the wire that would normally go to the park light bulb in the head lights. The voltage and amperage will be just fine.

I hope this helps,

Chris

MAG · 06-27-2010, 06:53 PM

When I install a new wiring harness in a car equipped with Cowl Lights I use the Two Bulb Harness. I cut the yellow/black wires about 6 inches from the head light switch, pull the wires out and connect them to the Cowl Lights as original. I pull out the cut yellow/black wires running to the headlight bucket out of the harness where it turns to go across the chassis. Install terminators on them and ground them to the chassis. Inside the bucket I use the Two Bulb Harness and use the yellow/ black wires to ground the headlights. It may seem a little complicated but its rather simple and it provides an excellent ground almost undetectable. Purists might not approve.

Bruce Adams · 06-27-2010, 08:53 PM

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My late 1931 wiring chart indicates yellow/black goes to cowl light. You have an ADDITIONAL OPTION of using a dual lamp setup in the headlamp bucket, and save the cowl lights for directionals. I have found the parking lights in the bucket to be helpful at dusk and in parades as they light the whold lens tremendously without blinding anyone.
I then use the cowl lights for directionals. You could also install dual filament bulbs in the cowl light and have both parking and turn signals there in them.

06-27-2010, 01:02 PM	#1
fordfrank Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 14	cowl light wiring question guys, i have a 31 with cowl lights. the guy i bought it off of gave me a brand new wiring harness for a model a without cowl lights. when i look at the wiring diagram (I only have a decent wiring diagram for a model a without cowl lights) it looks to me like I could take the yellow/black wires on that harness (which, according to the diagram is for the park lights) and run those wires to the cowl lights. Would that work? Would the voltage be OK? What was the purpose of the cowl lights anyway? Do they serve the same purpose as park lights and run the same wattage bulb and all? Just don't want to fry anything. Thanks for any insights.

06-27-2010, 05:55 PM	#2
CWPASADENA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: PASADENA, CA Posts: 1,931	Re: cowl light wiring question You are on the right track. Cowl lights provide the park light function. From the factory, cowl light cars only had a head light bulb socket in the head light reflectors. Non-Cowl light cars had a second socket in the reflectors for the small parking light bulb. Just tap into the wire that would normally go to the park light bulb in the head lights. The voltage and amperage will be just fine. I hope this helps, Chris Last edited by CWPASADENA; 06-27-2010 at 05:55 PM. Reason: TYPO

06-27-2010, 06:53 PM	#3
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 926	Re: cowl light wiring question When I install a new wiring harness in a car equipped with Cowl Lights I use the Two Bulb Harness. I cut the yellow/black wires about 6 inches from the head light switch, pull the wires out and connect them to the Cowl Lights as original. I pull out the cut yellow/black wires running to the headlight bucket out of the harness where it turns to go across the chassis. Install terminators on them and ground them to the chassis. Inside the bucket I use the Two Bulb Harness and use the yellow/ black wires to ground the headlights. It may seem a little complicated but its rather simple and it provides an excellent ground almost undetectable. Purists might not approve. __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!

06-27-2010, 08:53 PM	#4
Bruce Adams Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northport, NY Posts: 1,597	Re: cowl light wiring question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My late 1931 wiring chart indicates yellow/black goes to cowl light. You have an ADDITIONAL OPTION of using a dual lamp setup in the headlamp bucket, and save the cowl lights for directionals. I have found the parking lights in the bucket to be helpful at dusk and in parades as they light the whold lens tremendously without blinding anyone. I then use the cowl lights for directionals. You could also install dual filament bulbs in the cowl light and have both parking and turn signals there in them.