dim head lights

[bart40]

The headlights on my bone stock (almost) 40 are putting out a dim glow. Bright enough for others to see me but they are not giving me much road information. This is still a 6 volt car. The reflectors seem shiny enough to the eye. Do I need different bulbs?

[Drbrown]

Is this something recent ? Check connections, grounds, wiring and generator output.

[Alaska Jim]

clean tight grounds are of utmost importance. also if you are using the correct gage of wiring for your battery cables and they are old make sure they are not corroding under the insulation at the exposed cable ends. ground batt to eng, eng. to frame and body to eng. and/or frame

[Ken/Alabama]

The 40 has sealed beams unlike the 39 and earlier with a bulb and reflector. Problem could be dirty contacts in the headlight switch or the dimmer switch causing a high resistance wich in turn will cause dim lights.

[tubman]

There was recently a thread about adding relays to the headlight circuit. It might be something to consider.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...eadlight+relay

[bart40]

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Thanks all. I'll check the grounds.

[TomO]

You need at least 6 volts at the head light bulb in order to get decent lighting. The dimmer switch is the most likely culprit for reducing the voltage. Try operating it several times while checking the voltage at the bulb. If the voltage comes up to around 6 volts, you will either have to replace the dimmer switch or disassemble it and clean the contacts.

If you have a volt meter and know how to use it, I can describe the voltage drop checking procedure to use for isolating the poor connection.

[mike42]

Bart...the guys are right regarding the floor dimmer switch. I had a similar problem with my '40 and replaced it along with Halogen lights and I have very good lighting now. I never go out at night, but I have bright lights !!

Mike