"Flickering" low bean headlights
 

I have installed LED bulbs in the headlights.
With low beams turned on the lights 'flicker.'
When the high beams are turned on the 'flickering' stops.
I installed load equalizers on each low beam wire and 'flickering' remains on low beam.
I was told to have a good ground.
My question is where is a "good ground?"
I am also open to any other suggestions.
Thanks.
Bob

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

Connect a #18 or larger wire between each conduit and the forward hood latch screw on each side. Tin 1/2" at one end and tuck under a steel hose clamp on the conduit inside the radiator shell and solder a #10 ring lug at the other end. Add a #10 star washer to cut through frame paint. Provides a decent ground.

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

Sounds more like an issue at the switch. If it was the ground it would do it on both beams as they use one ground. Check for a dirty or corroded contact at the switch.

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

I have been chasing the same problem. I think edzaha is correct and I intend to pursue this direction.

However, I had a ground problem in my headlight buckets as well. I ran a separate ground wire from the light socket to the bucket then from the bucket down to the frame. I saw a thread about grounding the headlight buckets here on FordBarn and copied what the other author (I don't remember who) had done. The gist of it is to replace one or more of the bucket rivets with a screw (see Snyder's) so you can put a wire connector under the nut on the inside of the bucket.

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

To ground mine I soldered a wire to the side of each light socket and ran a dedicated ground wire all the way back to the battery.

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

I ground pretty much the same as Dave. Right from each light socket thru the conduit to a good spot on the frame.


I feel the same about the light switch possibly being the culprit.

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

Thanks to all who replied.
I "played" around with this most of the day.
I installed load equalizers on each low beam wire. No change. Installed a different set of LED headlight bulbs. Still no change. Both sets of LED bulbs looked identical to me. So, I installed one of each and NO flickering. I have no idea why it worked but I'm leaving well enough alone. Will adjust them in the Spring. Thanks again. Bob

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

Loubob - pls tell us which LEDs you installed - we would all be interested !

Many thanks - Jim

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

What exactly are "load equalizers"?

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

He probably means load resistors.


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Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

Could it be the cutout on the generator cause this problem ? If he has an alternator then my thought would go out the window just my thought Joe

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

The LED headlights on my A flicker when the car is idling and the generator (original 6 V positive ground system) is not charging. As soon as it starts to charge, the flickering stops. I have the Fun Projects EVR on the generator.

Jim

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

I have heard of load resistors in the turn signal circuits to make the flasher work properly, but i think those resistors might end up getting really hot in the headlight circuit. Just a thought. I dont want to read about your A burning up.

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

I purchased the LED bulbs from LedLight.com. After install they flickered every time I turned on the low beams but not on highs. Called Ledlight and was advised hat I needed to install a Load Equalizer to each headlight. They stated that because of the lower current draw, the system sensed it as a short/burned out bulb and was trying to compensate for it. The L.E's would "balance" the system. They stopped the flickering. I later installed a new wiring harness and it started all over again. On my last attempt I installed one LogoLite bulb and one Ledlight bulb and no flickering. I have no answer as to why that worked. LogoLite is going to replace their bulbs and I will try them or revert back to the one & one bulb and leave well enough alone.
I sincerely thank everyone for their advice and suggestions. Bob

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

Bob - thanks for the info. I have LEDs from both sources, and will try your suggestion tomorrow.

Thanks - Jim

"Flickering" low bean headlights
 

That’s the first I’ve heard of a “load equalizer.” I thought you meant load resistor earlier, but someone correctly pointed out a load resistor would probably get really hot in a headlight circuit.


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Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

My own opinion of the vendors selling load equalizers is hog-wash. Using a LED bulb instead of a regular bulb is like putting in a much smaller bulb and reducing current draw. It is probably grounding and wiring connections. To get rid of commutator noise on a generator car manufactures put a large capacitor from the output terminal to ground.

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

It seems to me that putting in load resistors defeats the purpose of putting in LEDs to reduce the load.

I had flickering head lights on a modern (2000) car one time, I suspected the VR which was in the alternator, when I pulled the alternator apart I found a loose wire, problem solved.

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

As far as low beam flickering, it seems like when I am using the low beam, the lights want to flash high beam for just an instant, then remain on low beam. I assumed that it was a poor connection point in the light switch or in the headlight bucket but I have yet to find it. I am very interested in what anyone finds as a cure for this. Thanks.

Re: "Flickering" low bean headlights
 

shew01: If I said load resistor it was my mistake. I apologize.

Wiring harness is new.
I do not believe it is in the switch body as a lot of other owners are experiencing the same problem.