The Ford Barn

lschultz · 02-03-2012, 02:14 PM

When I got this 31 A several months ago the low beam on both headlights was out both bulbs were bad. The fellow I got it from gave me two new bulbs(thought they were new) but one filament was burned out in each. Anyway I ordered two Narva H4 6V 60/55w. I put the new ones in and they worked. Now when you turn lights on first position is low and next one is high correct? Turning the lights on shining on wall looka like first position is brighter than the second position like the wired could be crossed. I had the engine running in the shop and switched between low and high several times and they were working then I did it again and both lights went out. First position nothing second lights come on. I could be wrong on this but if they are wired backwards I would not think that would blow one filament cause there is only 5 watt difference between low and high. I am going to try and find me some cheap 6v bulbs to put in there till I figured this out. Anybody come across this yet?

Modelakid31 · 02-03-2012, 02:22 PM

Could be a loose wire or a bad ground. I would start by checking the wires from the lights to the main harness.

Gary WA · 02-03-2012, 03:16 PM

How many volts is generator putting out? Check ground.

Smurkey · 02-03-2012, 03:32 PM

The first position is low (one filament lit) and the second "detent"/position is high (both filaments on).

I had a similar problem and it turned out to be the fiber plate in the headlight housing that holds the contacts which contact the wire ends that come through the conduit.

There is a positioning tab on the plate and mine was twisting when tightening the ferrule from the conduit. Once I tightened the fiber plate so it wouldn't twist all worked properly...before that all sorts of weird combinations were happening.

Hope it helps. Good luck.

Steve

Tom Wesenberg · 02-03-2012, 07:14 PM

Both filaments (low and high) should NEVER be on at the same time.

Vanspeed · 02-03-2012, 07:43 PM

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First thing, check your sockets. I had some similar problems. My sockets were original and the fiber discs in the sockets bend over time and the three prongs were all out of whack. Some were touching each other. Lights blowing out all the time. I ordered new sockets and they were junk in my opinion so I kept the metal parts of the original sockets and transplanted the fiber discs and wiring from the new sockets to the old. Works like a charm.

lschultz · 02-03-2012, 10:05 PM

Thanks for the info. I will check the sockets and everything in there. Sooner or later I will figure it out.

02-03-2012, 02:14 PM	#1
lschultz Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Flatonia,Tx Posts: 28	Headlight ? ? When I got this 31 A several months ago the low beam on both headlights was out both bulbs were bad. The fellow I got it from gave me two new bulbs(thought they were new) but one filament was burned out in each. Anyway I ordered two Narva H4 6V 60/55w. I put the new ones in and they worked. Now when you turn lights on first position is low and next one is high correct? Turning the lights on shining on wall looka like first position is brighter than the second position like the wired could be crossed. I had the engine running in the shop and switched between low and high several times and they were working then I did it again and both lights went out. First position nothing second lights come on. I could be wrong on this but if they are wired backwards I would not think that would blow one filament cause there is only 5 watt difference between low and high. I am going to try and find me some cheap 6v bulbs to put in there till I figured this out. Anybody come across this yet?

02-03-2012, 02:22 PM	#2
Modelakid31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Foxborough, MA Posts: 364	Re: Headlight ? ? Could be a loose wire or a bad ground. I would start by checking the wires from the lights to the main harness.

02-03-2012, 03:16 PM	#3
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,118	Re: Headlight ? ? How many volts is generator putting out? Check ground. __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com

02-03-2012, 03:32 PM	#4
Smurkey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Esko, MN Posts: 257	Re: Headlight ? ? The first position is low (one filament lit) and the second "detent"/position is high (both filaments on). I had a similar problem and it turned out to be the fiber plate in the headlight housing that holds the contacts which contact the wire ends that come through the conduit. There is a positioning tab on the plate and mine was twisting when tightening the ferrule from the conduit. Once I tightened the fiber plate so it wouldn't twist all worked properly...before that all sorts of weird combinations were happening. Hope it helps. Good luck. Steve

02-03-2012, 07:14 PM	#5
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Headlight ? ? Both filaments (low and high) should NEVER be on at the same time.

02-03-2012, 07:43 PM	#6
Vanspeed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Suttons Bay, Mich. Posts: 3,392	Re: Headlight ? ? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) First thing, check your sockets. I had some similar problems. My sockets were original and the fiber discs in the sockets bend over time and the three prongs were all out of whack. Some were touching each other. Lights blowing out all the time. I ordered new sockets and they were junk in my opinion so I kept the metal parts of the original sockets and transplanted the fiber discs and wiring from the new sockets to the old. Works like a charm. __________________ *Respecting and Resurrecting Ford Model A's.*

02-03-2012, 10:05 PM	#7
lschultz Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Flatonia,Tx Posts: 28	Re: Headlight ? ? Thanks for the info. I will check the sockets and everything in there. Sooner or later I will figure it out.