The Ford Barn

sunshine · 08-15-2015, 08:50 AM

39 pickup The only thing that worked on this truck when I drug it home were the hd. lights , rotten wires and all. I have installed complete new wireharness ,switch @ steering column ,dimmer sw. pigtails @ sealed beams conversion , new 6v. sealed beams . Now fuse gets hot and blows after

awhile ONLY when turning on HEADLIGHTS .NOT other lights such as parking / dash ,brake or add on signal lights . I have good ground @ sealed beams I checked the sw. @ steering for connections also dimmer sw. .tried old sealed beams ( maybe new ones were wrong voltage) same result.THANKS FOR ANY HELP. SUNSHINE

Terry,OH · 08-15-2015, 09:30 AM

6V sealed beams?? How much current do they draw? What is the blown fuse size? I believe the original light bulb is a 2330 bulb, at about 5.5 A each and the fuse 20 A.

JSeery · 08-15-2015, 09:38 AM

And as always, the fuse is there to protect the wiring (that part seems to be working fine!). So the next question would be with the requirement for an increase in fuse amperage because of the increased current draw of the headlights is the wiring sized properly for the headlights as well? You can always put in a large enough fuse that it is hard to blow it, but is that protecting the wiring. Blowing a fuse is a minor problem, burning up a wire harness not so much. I would start by determining what is the current draw of the headlight and assure yourself the wiring is the correct size for the current load. And you will need to up size the fuse to match the wiring size (current carrying capability is dependent on both wire size and the length of the run).

sunshine · 08-15-2015, 11:32 AM

Thank you Terry,oh and Jeery I installed a 30 amp fuse because that is what was in the truck also my book calls for a30 amp. If it blows a 30 a 20 sure wont work The harness is by Tyree for 6v system . It did the same thing with the old pig tales . I guess I need to get an amp probe . ( pig tales being sealed beam connectors)THANK YOU SUNSHINE

flatheadmurre · 08-15-2015, 11:46 AM

If it blows the fuse in both high and low beam (asuming size of fuse is right)
you have an issue with the footswitch or wiring from switch to dash.
I manage to pinch the wiring on my truck at the footswitch making it blow the fuse every time i used highbeam

TJ · 08-15-2015, 01:57 PM

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check to see if those exposed terminals on the foot switch is touching metal to cause a short.

08-15-2015, 08:50 AM	#1
sunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SUNSHINE MD. Posts: 318	Headlights blowing fuses 39 pickup The only thing that worked on this truck when I drug it home were the hd. lights , rotten wires and all. I have installed complete new wireharness ,switch @ steering column ,dimmer sw. pigtails @ sealed beams conversion , new 6v. sealed beams . Now fuse gets hot and blows after awhile ONLY when turning on HEADLIGHTS .NOT other lights such as parking / dash ,brake or add on signal lights . I have good ground @ sealed beams I checked the sw. @ steering for connections also dimmer sw. .tried old sealed beams ( maybe new ones were wrong voltage) same result.THANKS FOR ANY HELP. SUNSHINE

08-15-2015, 09:30 AM	#2
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,751	Re: Headlights blowing fuses 6V sealed beams?? How much current do they draw? What is the blown fuse size? I believe the original light bulb is a 2330 bulb, at about 5.5 A each and the fuse 20 A.

08-15-2015, 09:38 AM	#3
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Headlights blowing fuses And as always, the fuse is there to protect the wiring (that part seems to be working fine!). So the next question would be with the requirement for an increase in fuse amperage because of the increased current draw of the headlights is the wiring sized properly for the headlights as well? You can always put in a large enough fuse that it is hard to blow it, but is that protecting the wiring. Blowing a fuse is a minor problem, burning up a wire harness not so much. I would start by determining what is the current draw of the headlight and assure yourself the wiring is the correct size for the current load. And you will need to up size the fuse to match the wiring size (current carrying capability is dependent on both wire size and the length of the run).

08-15-2015, 11:32 AM	#4
sunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: SUNSHINE MD. Posts: 318	Re: Headlights blowing fuses Thank you Terry,oh and Jeery I installed a 30 amp fuse because that is what was in the truck also my book calls for a30 amp. If it blows a 30 a 20 sure wont work The harness is by Tyree for 6v system . It did the same thing with the old pig tales . I guess I need to get an amp probe . ( pig tales being sealed beam connectors)THANK YOU SUNSHINE

08-15-2015, 11:46 AM	#5
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: Headlights blowing fuses If it blows the fuse in both high and low beam (asuming size of fuse is right) you have an issue with the footswitch or wiring from switch to dash. I manage to pinch the wiring on my truck at the footswitch making it blow the fuse every time i used highbeam

08-15-2015, 01:57 PM	#6
TJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napa,California Posts: 6,037	Re: Headlights blowing fuses Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) check to see if those exposed terminals on the foot switch is touching metal to cause a short.