electrical gremilin

[A_G]

i thought i wouldnt haft to deal with this.

but. I just set the truck with the ignition on. The headlights worked. (are the running lights supposed to be on at the same time?) but the brake lights didnt work. niether running or when you hit the brakes. So i hit the Hi/lo clicker. It the headlights stopped working for the rest of the time. and the brake lights started working as did the hi's when you hit the brakes.

The blinkers worked. The alt/oil lights came on. thats it.

Any ideas?

its a 67 f250

[rjewkes]

Sounds like some rgged up wiring. or even just a bad ground.

[fordman]

replace the dimmer switch for one the brake lights i don't know. it could all be in the headlight switch too. these are just guesses.

[ToughOldFord]

Whenever unusual, seemingly non-related electrical problems occur I start with the grounds. Is your battery grounded solidly to the block, block to body, body to frame?

"running lights" meaning cab clearance lights and fender lights, yes, are supposed to turn on with the headlights. However, the front "parking lights" do not on older vehicles. In the old days people didn't park while driving, but eventually it was decided that it would be a good thing. Eventually we will be driving around with our brake lights on when we're not even stopping. Look at the cars with their headlights on when it's not even dark!

[jzjames]

Check the tail lights wiring, and establish a good ground for them.
Alot of the gremlins will probably go away.

[390Nut]

Look at the cars with their headlights on when it's not even dark!

Once you've seen the way people drive in this part of the country, you'ld leave your headlights on during the day time as well. I have mine on highbeam during the daytime, making DAMN SURE they see me coming, giving them no excuses for pulling out in front of me, which they always like to do. There's a lot of places here where it's POSTED to do so, and you can be ticketed for not having them on.

As for the wiring issue, like stated above, check your grounds first. The start with one system (tailights only, or headlights only, etc) and check the wiring. Look for shorts or cuts in the insulation, or loose connectors. Just be methodical about it and you'll find it sooner or later.