cowell lights

[Licensed to kill]

Likely a stupid question but what was the intended purpose of the cowell lights?

[JohnLaVoy]

parking lights

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

[QUOTE=JohnLaVoy;1382151]parking lights[/QUOTE
Dog here,
Wuldn't it be obvious, if the car's sitten' STILL, it's "PARKED"? I only sit STILL, whin I'm SLEEPING!
Buster T.

[100IH]

Years ago, European and possibly American laws about parking a vehicle at night time at the side of the road required some lighting be on while parked. Often including the requirement to have the lighting at the front and rear. Roads were narrow, driveways were non-existant and there were no street lights. In the 1950's, European cars had the ability to park the car at the side of the road and leave the front and rear lamps on only on the street side, low wattage lamps as in turn signals but not flashing. Here in the US before DOT, the states all called their own standards. City driving laws and country driving laws were very different issues because of growing street lighting in the cities. Then there was the issue of driving at dusk. Only common sense rules applied, and safety was always a consern. Cowl lights served to let others see you in the low light or when parked. A deluxe accessory that gave a needed feel of safety when it was most needed.

[Capt Quahog]

To my knowledge, the cowl lights are "suppose to" function independently from the headlights. Used to run a 1930 Ford at dusk with just cowl lights. That car had no socket in the headlights for the other bulbs. Though the 31' Ford we now have is a DELUXE model with factory installed cowl lights, the headlights apparently have the STANDARD "parking" light set which "incorrectly" also switch on with the cowl lights. Photo to the left shows that car with both cowl and parking lamps illuminated. Please correct me if wrong, but as recalled, correct head light buckets for the DELUXE models have no parking lights. There is only high and low beam. Have I got that right?

[CHuDWah]

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Originally Posted by Capt Quahog

correct head light buckets for the DELUXE models have no parking lights

This is not directed exclusively to Capt Quahog, but the quote brings up a question - were cowl lights standard equipment on all DeLuxe models?

AFAIK, cowl lights were standard on some models and were a factory and/or dealer installed extra-cost option on others. It is correct that cars with cowl lights weren't supposed to have parking lights in the headlights. However, if a dealer installed the cowl lights, I wonder if they always bothered to change the headlights.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Correct, when you have cowl lights you should have ONE bulb reflectors.

[Pomeroy41144]

On Model A cars how do the Cowl Lights function?

Are the Cowl Lights illuminated separately with their own switch?

Or do they operate in conjunction with the Park Lights?

How did they function originally, right out of the factory?

The post above did not really clear it up for me.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Pomeroy41144

On Model A cars how do the Cowl Lights function?

With the light switch turned to the left one notch.

Are the Cowl Lights illuminated separately with their own switch?

No, they use the light switch turned one notch to the left. Headlights to the right.

Or do they operate in conjunction with the Park Lights?

If the car was equipped with cowl lights it did not have parking lights. The headlight reflector had only the headlight socket (one hole reflector).

How did they function originally, right out of the factory?

They functioned good.

The post above did not really clear it up for me.

Hope that clears it up some.

Sometime over the years my Town Sedan aquired two hole reflectors in the headlight, but the sockets were never wired. I now use those sockets with amber bulbs for my front turn signals.

[modelAtony]

Originally Posted by Pomeroy41144

On Model A cars how do the Cowl Lights function?

Are the Cowl Lights illuminated separately with their own switch?

Or do they operate in conjunction with the Park Lights?

How did they function originally, right out of the factory?

The post above did not really clear it up for me.

cowl lights ARE turned on with seperate switch.
Cowl lamps were standard on the Town Car. They were offered on all other body styles at Ford. The cowl wiring had a SWITCH mounted system. the switch was part A13335 and the cowl light switch wiring assy was part A14429. Have fun modelAtony tony white Lafayette, LA

[Lowell Fast]

"cowl wiring had a SWITCH mounted system. the switch was part A13335 "

Where was this switch mounted ?

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Lowell Fast

"cowl wiring had a SWITCH mounted system. the switch was part A13335 "

Where was this switch mounted ?

I saw the answer to that about a year ago, and wonder if it wasn't in the SERVICE BULLETINS?

[Kurt in NJ]

dealer installed they had to go into the wiring harness to get the connection, perhaps cut the wire
(too much labor time to take apart the switch), also most likely the cowl lights came without bulb---the bulb got taken out of the headlight because of cost probably

[Licensed to kill]

Thanks for all the replys. I think i will wire mine to ignition and use them as daytime running lights.

[Y-Blockhead]

FYI, LED tail lights show up quite well in daylight.

Originally Posted by Licensed to kill

I think I will wire mine to ignition and use them as daytime running lights.

Let us know how that works out.

[CT Jack]

I have my cowl lights on a seperate hidden toggle switch under the dash. I also have them as my front turn signal lights. I had to do this because of the unpredictable shorting problem with the poorly made aftermarket light switch assembly. The cowl lights have LED's in them making them very visible.

[bnchief]

I put cowl lights on my 30 tudor to use as turn signals and did not want to put modern turn signals on since they look cheap to me I used a toggle switch for the turn signal from tyree harris as well as his wiring harness to make it all work.

[old31]

Originally Posted by CT Jack

I have my cowl lights on a seperate hidden toggle switch under the dash. I also have them as my front turn signal lights. I had to do this because of the unpredictable shorting problem with the poorly made aftermarket light switch assembly. The cowl lights have LED's in them making them very visible.

What did you use for LED's?

I am currently using the parking lamps for both directional and parking lights. I looked before and could not find an LED to work.

[CarlG]

Originally Posted by old31

What did you use for LED's?

I am currently using the parking lamps for both directional and parking lights. I looked before and could not find an LED to work.

Snyders:

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/led-cowl-lamp-lens

[old31]

Originally Posted by CarlG

Snyders:

http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/led-cowl-lamp-lens

Yes, I saw that but it was for only 12 V, I have 6 V.