• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech

Wiring Issues

  • Thread starter Thread starter Chairbornranger
  • Start date Start date Dec 21, 2008
C

Chairbornranger

New Member
Dec 15, 2008
4
0
0
Dec 21, 2008
#1
  • Dec 21, 2008
  • #1
Started my 90 gt up went to turn on the lights and only the parking lights came on. I checked all the fuses and bulbs and it looked good. Any ideas??
 

87coupe50

Member
Feb 10, 2008
105
1
16
WAYNESBORO, PA
Dec 21, 2008
#2
  • Dec 21, 2008
  • #2
is the casing for your light selector switch broken? Mine would wiggle around a little and would prevent me from fully engaging the switch for the headlights. If you pull the lower lever out with your middle finger you can push the upper lever in with your thumb.
 

jrichker

StangNet's favorite TOOL
In Remembrance. Thank you for your contributions
Mar 10, 2000
27,512
2,811
234
Dublin GA
Dec 21, 2008
#3
  • Dec 21, 2008
  • #3
Try wiggling the turn/multifunction switch.

SEE Mustang GT Fog Light Fix to fix the problem. The stock wiring isn't up to the job and is overheating. The headlight switch & turn/multifunction switch are affected by Ford's wiring problem. Sometimes it overheats so badly that the plastic shells of the wiring connectors start to melt. This will show you how to add a relay to the fog lights to relieve the overload on the headlight wiring.

I did mine differently, but I had to build my own wiring harness for the fog lights. This is more trouble than it is worth for most folks. I left all the wiring on the stock light switches in place and used the fog light wiring to power the relay coil. The other side of the relay coil is connected to ground. I have an inline fuse that picks up power from the battery side of the starter solenoid. It is connected to the relay contact. The other relay contact is connected to the new wiring harness I made for the fog lights.



The advantage of making your own fog light wiring harness is that you can run 100 watt fog light bulbs. The stock wiring harness will not use 100 watt bulbs without overloading and causing a fire.

Unless you are good at electrical wiring, have the skills and tools (crimp tool, soldering gun, heat gun for the heat shrink tubing, etc.) I recommend that you stick with the Corral method.

Technical explanation of why the wiring and switches overheat.
You asked for it...

I= Current
E= Voltage
R= Resistance
W= Watts

Two 55 watt fog lamps =110 watts. Find the current in the circuit
I= W/E
110 watts/14 volts = 7.85 amps for fog lights alone.
Since the lighting circuit supplies headlights, taillights, and parking lights, etc.

56 watts 2 each GE Part # L3156 corner light 28 watts each
90 watts 2 each GE Part # 9004 headlight 45/65 watts each (low beam)
63 watts 2 each GE Part # L194 parking light 31.5 watts each
56 watts 2 each GE Part # L3157 tail light 28 watts each
265 watts Total

Total other exterior lighting current
I=W/E
265 watts/14 volts = 18.92 amps
18.92 amps other exterior lighting current
+ 7.85 amps fog light current
26.77 amps with all exterior lights and fog lights on.

The 12 gauge power feed wire to the exterior lighting switch is rated at 20 amps
26.77
- 20.00
6.77 amps excess current

7.85 amps used by fog lights
-6.77 amps excess current
1.08 amps to run the fog lights left if you stay within the 20 amp limit of the wire.
With 1.08 amp of current, the fog lights probably won’t produce any useable light.

Added resistance required to reduce fog light current to permissible 20 amp limit
R=E/I
14 volts/6.77 amps = 2.06 ohms
Resistor wattage
W=EI
14 volts x 6.77 amps = 94.78 watts
You would need a 2 ohm, 100 watt resistor.

Light bulb ratings from http://www.roadparts.com/catalog/section30.pdf
Radio shack resistor catalog - no matches , and no combinations that could be used to make a 100 watt, 2 Ohm resistor.
See RadioShack.com

Ohm’s law – in case you have any questions about my formulas - Ohm's Law Calculators
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Electrical electric mirror switch issue...
  • alchemist1
  • Apr 18, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
91
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 19, 2026
2000xp8
C
Electrical Under dash wiring
  • ChicagoMustang
  • Apr 17, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
1
Views
85
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 17, 2026
AeroCoupe
M
Need help!
  • Masonevans726
  • Dec 17, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
208
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Dec 17, 2025
Masonevans726
M
B
Electrical Fuse 8, Light Green / Black Wire
  • bleedinggreen
  • Jun 23, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
7
Views
375
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 26, 2025
bleedinggreen
B
S
Electrical No dash lights
  • slojoexxx
  • Dec 11, 2025
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
0
Views
125
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Dec 11, 2025
slojoexxx
S
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?