Lighting

[txmike]

Hello
Please bear with me if I get a little long winded here.
I managed to get the brakes adjust and too her (29 Coupe) for a test run.
Nice to have her on the road again after all these years and a complete frame up restoration.

Now I have a lighting problem. I get power to my lighting loom (test light on center of loom). Hook it up to the steering column and no powers to the brake lights, head lights or horn. I checked the steering column and had the correct 12/6 configuration so I am not sure what the issue is?

Should the brake lights work regardless of attaching to the steering column?
appreciate the help!

[txmike]

PS - I tried to read all posts in this area and did not see a answer.

[The Master Cylinder]

Originally Posted by txmike

Should the brake lights work regardless of attaching to the steering column?
appreciate the help!

Start with this one. Yes the brake lights should work regardless. The brake light circuit just takes a detour thru the switch. A lot of people (non-show car) just run the brake light wire direct.

The light switch is NOT one of Fords finest designs.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by The Master Cylinder

Start with this one. Yes the brake lights should work regardless. The brake light circuit just takes a detour thru the switch. A lot of people (non-show car) just run the brake light wire direct.

The light switch is NOT one of Fords finest designs.

While that is very true, light switches generally were not good at that time. MANY cars caught fire here (RHD) when fuel dripped onto the light switch which is directly below the carburettor. What genius thought of that????

[29closedcabguy]

There is a first and second generation light switch and they will not interchange. You might have 1/2 of one and 1/2 of the other.

[txmike]

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hmmmmm
My light switch appears new - but it was in the parts box my dad gave me before he passed

[Will N]

Originally Posted by txmike

Hello
Please bear with me if I get a little long winded here.
I managed to get the brakes adjust and too her (29 Coupe) for a test run.
Nice to have her on the road again after all these years and a complete frame up restoration.

Now I have a lighting problem. I get power to my lighting loom (test light on center of loom). Hook it up to the steering column and no powers to the brake lights, head lights or horn. I checked the steering column and had the correct 12/6 configuration so I am not sure what the issue is?

Should the brake lights work regardless of attaching to the steering column?
appreciate the help!

The center contact on the loom is for the horn. The brake lights feed off the "battery" terminal. Check out the attached wiring diagram. Check if you have power there. Then check if you have power at the wire coming from the loom to the brake light switch. Then check if the switch is working.

[Badpuppy]

You appear to me missing power from the generator to the switch (yellow wire). Check connections. The brake switch connects to the same contact plate (green wire), effectively a direct connection between generator and brake switch. Also check continuity between generator and battery if it fails only at low idle, or off.

[txmike]

great posts and thanks
any comments on the head lights? I will check for power on the loom to the lights and report back but it may be tomorrow

if we could sell the knowledge here you guys would be wealthy !

[ryanheacox]

Originally Posted by Badpuppy

You appear to me missing power from the generator to the switch (yellow wire). Check connections. The brake switch connects to the same contact plate (green wire), effectively a direct connection between generator and brake switch. Also check continuity between generator and battery if it fails only at low idle, or off.

My thought as well. But I have no idea why there would be voltage to the horn terminal at first and then go away when the switch is connected to the column. Unless of course there problems in the horn circuit keeping the horn from working.



No brake lights could be a red herring. With the fresh restoration maybe the tail/brake light isn't getting a good ground. Also most of the new 28/29 brake light switches are junk.



Txmike, with the light switch disconnected from the column, will the horn work if you run a jumper from the center terminal on the switch to a head stud (or other ground)? Likewise, you can jump from the park/dim/bright detente to the bat. detente on the switch plate to make sure your lights are working. All this does is confirm that the wiring/ground paths are good.

[txmike]

thanks will try to check tomorrow if work and grandkids don't get in the way.'
work - i mind
grandkids - i don't!