1968 Lucas Lights Seem Dim

[CaliStang68]

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

 

[Ruppstang]

My best guess is that there is a grounding issue. Have you checked that the bulbs are correct?

 

[rvrtrash]

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]

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?

 

[CaliStang68]

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.

 

[CaliStang68]

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]

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]

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]

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.

 

[CaliStang68]

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?

 

[CaliStang68]

Is it possible that the dimmer bulb is on it's way out?

I'm not sure. It seems to work when tested. but I will check it again.

 

[CaliStang68]

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.

Thanks Marty.

 

[CaliStang68]

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

 

[CaliStang68]

All,
Disregard looking for a lense. Arlie helped me out, by educating me. THANKS ARLIE!

 

[CaliStang68]

Thanks to everyone for your help as well. I learned a lot about these fog-lights here in the last couple of days.