Head Light Wiring

Speedychrs · Jan 31, 2010

I recently purchased newer, brighter bulbs for my 66. when i put them in, i noticed that while i'm driving they will turn off and on at random times, for different lengths of time. i have checked the connections and ground, replaced the headlight switch and was wondering if anyone had any ideas what the problem could be thanks.

-chris

2+2GT · Jan 31, 2010

Your bright new lights are too much for your pore ole' headlight switch. It has an automatic circuit breaker, and your old switch can't take the power draw anymore. A new switch should do it, but if they are just too strong you may have to set up a relay.

Loup-garou · Jan 31, 2010

A new '66 switch may or may not fix this - it depends on the lights you selected. However, fitting a '69 switch (designed for quad headlights) will usually do the trick. That switch has a different circuit breaker - but you'll need to move your old switch's bracket to the '69 part. Another way of resolving this is to install relays to power the headlights - that way your switch only handles the power to energize the relays.

The relays are the usual way of dealing with H4 halogen headlights (Hella Cibie', etc.), but will make old sealed beams look brighter, too. Jacobs Electronics used to sell a "Headlight Brightener" relay kit for that purpose. I think Painless Wiring sells a prefab headlight wiring harness with relays too, but it's cheaper to DIY. Try searching for threads on headlights.

tx65coupe · Jan 31, 2010

The car's factory switch and wiring was never intended for halogen bulbs let alone higher wattage ones.

What bulbs did you get?

I suggest a relay setup as well. This is what I have for 6024. Its basically plug and play. It can be installed in about 20-30 minutes. If you have H4 or other bulbs see if they carry one for your application.

RJM Injection Tech Headlight Harness

Speedychrs · Feb 4, 2010

I have H4 bulbs, i replaced the head light switch a couple of weeks ago, and when i went to start the car at a friend's house the other night, the headlights would not come on when i pulled the switch... Is a relay the only option i have? If so, is it difficult to install?

Dothang67 · Feb 5, 2010

Its pretty straight forward if you have well identified the cables involved, here is the webpage I use when I installed mines:

Brighter Headlights

JonK · Feb 5, 2010

Here's another, you can get the relays at the parts store, they're a universal product for driving lights, fog lights, etc. You have to take the load off of that stock headlight switch, as mentioned they weren't designed for the extra amperage so they'll cut off like a circuit breaker when they overheat:

Daniel Stern Lighting Consultancy and Supply

Speedychrs said:
Is a relay the only option i have? If so, is it difficult to install?

Your other option is to put the old nonhalogen headlights back in. You'll have to splice some wires, they make blue auto splicers that make this easy, at the parts store, Napa, etc.
Jon

rbohm · Feb 5, 2010

check out the LMC truck catalog, they have a heavy duty wiring harness that is virtually plug and play. it has everything including the relays;

LMC Truck Parts - Page 59

chris66dad · Feb 7, 2010

rbohm said:
check out the LMC truck catalog, they have a heavy duty wiring harness that is virtually plug and play. it has everything including the relays;

LMC Truck Parts - Page 59

That looks like a really good set up for a great price. I spent that much for mine just in parts and wire and that one is already built

tx65coupe · Feb 8, 2010

That LMC harness is nice as well. I have one for my 95 F150.

Head Light Wiring

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