Wiring problems

[1968cal]

I am having wiring and light problems. If I drive during the day there is no problems, but at night with the headlight's on and the brakes applied the taillights and the dash lights start to flash on and off. The light switch and the fog switch get very hot. The only cure I have found is to replace the 1157 bulbs with led 1157's. Did ford make a special light switch for the cals. and shelbys.

 

[franklinair]

Very interesting. I'd be curious to know if the flashing condition would occur with the headlights NOT on, just parking lights, and applying the brakes. This would eliminate the headlight current draw through the headlight switch. I'll go through my wiring diagram tomorrow to check the possibilities. You say the Fog light switch gets hot. Did you have them turned on, or off? The Fog light switch has power TO it, but not THROUGH it unless you turn it on. If my memory serves me correctly, the dash lights, Parking lights, and Tail lights go through the same contacts in the Headlight switch. The "usual suspect" would be the headlight switch itself, but there are other checks to pin down the specific problem. Can't do it from memory right now - need to check my diagrams. Whatever the cause, its fixable.
Neil Hoppe

 

[1968cal]

Neil: The fog light only get hot when on. And yes it does it with the parking lights to. I have been working on this probelm this weekend and seem to have solved the problem by switching out the old bulbs with led lights. This seem to keep the draw down and the heat. But this still does not solve the problem of not beeing able to use standard 1157 bulbs. Any help will help.
Thank you Steve

 

[nfrntau]

If you do a search for relay's you will find other posts regarding similar issues. A relay will send a full 12 Volts to your lights but uses the light switch to activate the relay thus isolating your switch from the full amp draw.

I also recollect something about flashing or pulsing lights might have something to do with the voltage regulator.

Sorry I can't be more specific

 

[somethingspecial]

I had the same problem with one of my CSs. After about 5 minutes of night driving, the headlights would start flashing. I replaced the headlight switch and have not had any problems since. The tail lights are tied into the fog light switch via the main light switch. You might try replacing the light switch. After 40 years, it is probably time. Mike

 

[1968cal]

I actully have the fog swicth light disconnected, and have a new one on order. This problem only occurs with the lights on and the brakes applied. No problems with straight driving with the lights on. I think the problem is the Ford did not accommodate for 6 tail lights 1 license plate light and 2 headlights on the same switch that would only run 2 tail lights for the standard Mustangs ?

 

[Midnight Special]

I actully have the fog swicth light disconnected, and have a new one on order. This problem only occurs with the lights on and the brakes applied. No problems with straight driving with the lights on. I think the problem is the Ford did not accommodate for 6 tail lights 1 license plate light and 2 headlights on the same switch that would only run 2 tail lights for the standard Mustangs ?

...I too have the same problem w/ one of mine and will replace the switch. Please tell me about the LEDs. Do the turn signals and brake lights perform better and brighter? My turn signals flicker dim before going bright. 'Brake lights too...

 

[franklinair]

I installed LED's in the tail lights. They are quite satisfactory, with a much lower current draw. (superbrightleds.com). You can also get them for the parking/turn signal lights. There was a thread a month or so ago that discussed these. For the tail/brake lights, I purchased their 1157-R30. About $10 each
Neil Hoppe

 

[68gt390]

...I too have the same problem w/ one of mine and will replace the switch. Please tell me about the LEDs. Do the turn signals and brake lights perform better and brighter? My turn signals flicker dim before going bright. 'Brake lights too...

Tim;
I to had the same problem and replaced the main headlight switch and put in the LED Sequential tail lights from Mustang Project several years back and have had no further problems. People actually have commented on how much better my tail lights look now at night. Several of our club members say it is actually easier to spot me in traffic when following each other to a show.

Don :grin:

 

[Midnight Special]

THANKS Neil & Don! ;-)

Don - My car has been easy to spot too! It's the one that can't decide whether it's night or day, which way it's turning, or whether it's telling you we're stopping or not ;-))

 

[68gt390]

THANKS Neil & Don! ;-)

Don - My car has been easy to spot too! It's the one that can't decide whether it's night or day, which way it's turning, or whether it's telling you we're stopping or not ;-))

Tim;
I sure hope that's not the one your letting me drive??????? But, on the other hand sometimes I have trouble telling if it's night or day myself. :rofl:

Don

 

[Midnight Special]

Tim;
I sure hope that's not the one your letting me drive??????? :rofl:

Don

Nope - The one you're driving just (flat) wants to GO! It doesn't care what anyone else thinks, nor will they notice you from behind for very long. ;-)

Probably no different from what you already experience w/ your BBs.

 

[franklinair]

Wiring/Lights

I think Don had the ultimate solution:
The LED bulbs for less current draw AND replacing the headlight switch. After 40 years of running current through those switches, the contacts get hot, arc & spark and that's why the lights flicker.

Really looking forward to Grass Valley.

Neil Hoppe

 

[68gt390]

I think Don had the ultimate solution:
The LED bulbs for less current draw AND replacing the headlight switch. After 40 years of running current through those switches, the contacts get hot, arc & spark and that's why the lights flicker.

Really looking forward to Grass Valley.

Neil Hoppe

Neil;
It took me awhile to figure it out but, when I removed the light switch it had actually melted inside and fused several of the contact points together.

Don

 

[68gt390]

Nope - The one you're driving just (flat) wants to GO! It doesn't care what anyone else thinks, nor will they notice you from behind for very long. ;-)

Probably no different from what you already experience w/ your BBs.

Tim;
I can definitely relate to that. Isn't that what they call flying by the seat of your pants!!!!

Don :grin:

 

[1968cal]

If you look at National Parts Depot catolog for there F series trucks they have LEDs that have 36 diodes and are 2 3/16 dia. I just used the standard 1157r LEDs, but I also used the original ford lenes. The after market lens is to orange. I am going to switch every thing to LED.