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1968 Lucas Lights Seem Dim

CaliStang68

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Messages
301
Hello everyone,
My Lucas Lights seem dim. I had them off for about a year and I went to put them on today and they seemed dim, not how I remember them. Can anybody tell me if I have an issue or is that how they are? I cleaned the wiring contacts. Should they be grounded a certain way? Are the lights side specific?
Thanks
Rick
 

rvrtrash

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 25, 2003
Messages
3,662
Probably a grounding issue, but also check the contacts for the bulb to make sure they aren't dirty or oxidized. The lights aren't side specific.

Steve
 

CougarCJ

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Joined
Jul 17, 2006
Messages
2,216
Lots of vintage Ford alternators do not put out much voltage at idle. Ever notice how dim their headlights are while sitting at a stop light?
 
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CaliStang68

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Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Messages
301
I haven't tried diagnosing a possible grounding issue, but after researching here it seems I have the fog-lights plugged into a wrong terminal. I also noticed when I turn on the headlights (engine not running and no key)) the fog-lights come on as well, followed by a humming sound.
 
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CaliStang68

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Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Messages
301
Update: I connected the fog-lights to the right terminals/plug, so no more headlights and fog-lights coming on at same time. But the dimness is still there especially in one fog-light light???? Could the thick rubber grommet under the pedestal be the culprit????
 

stangfan

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Joined
Jun 12, 2012
Messages
1,886
Location
Victoria BC Canada
Update: I connected the fog-lights to the right terminals/plug, so no more headlights and fog-lights coming on at same time. But the dimness is still there especially in one fog-light light???? Could the thick rubber grommet under the pedestal be the culprit????
Is it possible that the dimmer bulb is on it's way out?
 

Mosesatm

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Joined
Jan 18, 2005
Messages
9,164
Have you removed the lenses and looked at the bulbs? There could be corrosion on the contacts, or the bulbs could be old and worn out, as Steve mentioned.
 

Ruppstang

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Joined
May 22, 2009
Messages
3,075
It is easy to check the ground. Clip a wire on the negative side of the battery and ground the light housing. If it brightens you have a ground issue.
 
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CaliStang68

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Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Messages
301
Arlie,
I have not gotten that far today. I was checking for bad grounds and mis- connections which I found and cleaned several times. I really dread breaking one of those little wires on the bulbs. Also are the tailights supposed to come on with the foglight switch?
 
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CaliStang68

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Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Messages
301
Well my light died or I blew it up testing it. Does anyone have a working extra Lucas lens they would sell? Also do all Lucas lights have 2 wires on the back of the lense itself 1 ground and 1 white coming from the center of the light?
Thanks
Rick
 
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CaliStang68

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Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Messages
301
All,
Disregard looking for a lense. Arlie helped me out, by educating me. THANKS ARLIE!
 
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CaliStang68

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Joined
Feb 7, 2012
Messages
301
Thanks to everyone for your help as well. I learned a lot about these fog-lights here in the last couple of days.
 
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