The Ford Barn

rottenron36 · 04-03-2026, 10:01 AM

My 36 pickup head lights and tail lights, quit working over the winter rest. They have been working fine for 5 years. Stock switch at the steering box, 6 volt posi tive,new wiring harness when restored. I need to know where to start, testing things. I hoping to not take the switch apart as it is a bear to work on. Power at the fuse, under the dash. Thanks for looking, and any advice. Ron

glennpm · 04-03-2026, 10:22 AM

Without taking the bail for the switch off, twist it back and forth a little while pushing it towards the steering wheel. Push with force the wire bundle exiting the switch also toward the wheel.

rottenron36 · 04-03-2026, 12:08 PM

Thanks glennpm, I will start there, and thanks for your reply. Ron

hueyhoolihan · 04-03-2026, 06:27 PM

i usually get out my 6v or 12v (whichever applies) small battery, my small test wires and start working backwards from the bulbs.

ford38v8 · 04-04-2026, 07:55 PM

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You should always have power "at the fuse". What you need is power at both ends of the fuse.

04-03-2026, 10:01 AM	#1
rottenron36 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Corbett OR Posts: 247	36 pickup head lights quit working! My 36 pickup head lights and tail lights, quit working over the winter rest. They have been working fine for 5 years. Stock switch at the steering box, 6 volt posi tive,new wiring harness when restored. I need to know where to start, testing things. I hoping to not take the switch apart as it is a bear to work on. Power at the fuse, under the dash. Thanks for looking, and any advice. Ron

04-03-2026, 10:22 AM	#2
glennpm Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mid-Coast Maine Posts: 3,346	Re: 36 pickup head lights quit working! Without taking the bail for the switch off, twist it back and forth a little while pushing it towards the steering wheel. Push with force the wire bundle exiting the switch also toward the wheel. __________________ Archives of historical but relevant older articles: ------------- Hover mouse over the links below and click! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~--------------- Rumble Seat’s Notes Techno Source for the 1932 thru 1953 Flathead Ford

04-03-2026, 12:08 PM	#3
rottenron36 Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Corbett OR Posts: 247	Re: 36 pickup head lights quit working! Thanks glennpm, I will start there, and thanks for your reply. Ron

04-03-2026, 06:27 PM	#4
hueyhoolihan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: central coast california Posts: 593	Re: 36 pickup head lights quit working! i usually get out my 6v or 12v (whichever applies) small battery, my small test wires and start working backwards from the bulbs.

04-04-2026, 07:55 PM	#5
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 7,634	Re: 36 pickup head lights quit working! Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) You should always have power "at the fuse". What you need is power at both ends of the fuse. __________________ Alan