The Ford Barn

eric huffman · 10-31-2021, 11:20 AM

S.O.S
Could someone please tell me once and for all what the functions of the the steering wheel light switch do???? I was under the usurpation that straight up was off. One click right was parking lights. One click left was low beam headlights. Second click left was high beam headlights. There was no dimmer switch on the floor. There is a dimmer switch on the floor of my 39 but it looks like it would be in the way of pushing the clutch pedal down to the floor. IF there is a floor dimmer switch where is is the correct installation area. As always, pictures would be awesome.
Cheers,
BIRD

38bill · 10-31-2021, 11:56 AM

Dimmer switch was on the floor. Headlight switch works with parking lights one way, headlights the other way.

The dimmer switch is partially under the clutch pedal and you have get used to using it. You slide your foot up to it rather than just mashing it straight down.

1939mars · 10-31-2021, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eric huffman

Second click left was high beam headlights.

Should not be a second click if it is a stock setup

Phil Gillespie · 10-31-2021, 09:20 PM

My 38 PU & 39 Coupe horn light switch: Left park lights, Middle off. Right main lights with dip switch on the floor. Believe this is standard set up for these years.
Phil NZ

eric huffman · 10-31-2021, 11:58 PM

thanks gang! I'll ck the clicks tomorrow. That dimmer switch location is strange. Any pictures?

38bill · 11-01-2021, 10:17 AM

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The dimmer switch should be located in the round hole in the upper left of the floor pan.

62pan · 11-01-2021, 04:51 PM

I posted photos on your hamb thread, can't seem to post photos here.

rotorwrench · 11-02-2021, 07:44 AM

The steering column light switches from the model A era are still pretty much the same so there is a possibility one or part of one was used on the later model.

eric huffman · 11-02-2021, 04:57 PM

Update! On retrying my switch it does appear to be a 3 way switch. One click right a click back to center and one click left. I still have to original light switch from the bottom of the column but installed a new one because I didn't want to hassle with the soldered on wires. The new bakelite switch is a bit different and seems to have an extra wire. I'm thinking I should go back to my original unit as it's in fine shape. I sure wouldn't think that it would be such a hassle to get the horn/light switch properly working. I like a stock set up as much as I can.

10-31-2021, 11:20 AM	#1
eric huffman Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: San Diego Posts: 45	39 FORD 1/2 ton questions S.O.S Could someone please tell me once and for all what the functions of the the steering wheel light switch do???? I was under the usurpation that straight up was off. One click right was parking lights. One click left was low beam headlights. Second click left was high beam headlights. There was no dimmer switch on the floor. There is a dimmer switch on the floor of my 39 but it looks like it would be in the way of pushing the clutch pedal down to the floor. IF there is a floor dimmer switch where is is the correct installation area. As always, pictures would be awesome. Cheers, BIRD

10-31-2021, 11:56 AM	#2
38bill Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,166	Re: 39 FORD 1/2 ton questions Dimmer switch was on the floor. Headlight switch works with parking lights one way, headlights the other way. The dimmer switch is partially under the clutch pedal and you have get used to using it. You slide your foot up to it rather than just mashing it straight down.

10-31-2021, 09:20 PM	#4
Phil Gillespie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Christchurch New Zealand Posts: 1,611	Re: 39 FORD 1/2 ton questions My 38 PU & 39 Coupe horn light switch: Left park lights, Middle off. Right main lights with dip switch on the floor. Believe this is standard set up for these years. Phil NZ

10-31-2021, 11:58 PM	#5
eric huffman Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: San Diego Posts: 45	Re: 39 FORD 1/2 ton questions thanks gang! I'll ck the clicks tomorrow. That dimmer switch location is strange. Any pictures?

11-01-2021, 04:51 PM	#7
62pan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Middletown Pa Posts: 391	Re: 39 FORD 1/2 ton questions I posted photos on your hamb thread, can't seem to post photos here.

11-02-2021, 07:44 AM	#8
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,432	Re: 39 FORD 1/2 ton questions The steering column light switches from the model A era are still pretty much the same so there is a possibility one or part of one was used on the later model.

11-02-2021, 04:57 PM	#9
eric huffman Member Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: San Diego Posts: 45	Re: 39 FORD 1/2 ton questions Update! On retrying my switch it does appear to be a 3 way switch. One click right a click back to center and one click left. I still have to original light switch from the bottom of the column but installed a new one because I didn't want to hassle with the soldered on wires. The new bakelite switch is a bit different and seems to have an extra wire. I'm thinking I should go back to my original unit as it's in fine shape. I sure wouldn't think that it would be such a hassle to get the horn/light switch properly working. I like a stock set up as much as I can.