Head lights flashing

Charging, starting, lighting, gauges, HVAC

Moderators: FORDification, Thunderfoot

Post Reply
JEF199
New Member
New Member
Posts: 84
Joined: Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:06 pm

Head lights flashing

Post by JEF199 »

I replaced light switch and hi/low switch but the head lights(only) flash after being on for a while. It will even do it w/ the engine off and truck stopped. I tried moving wires and checked grounds the only thing I noticed is that the switch gets warm but the wire conections look good. And they work fine for the first hour or so. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks
  • 1966 Ford Mustang (My First Car)
    • 1972 F250 360 3-speed
      • 1984 Bronco
      1999 Eddie Bauer Expedition
    2006 F250 5.4 Super Duty 4-door
User avatar
DGrant09
New Member
New Member
Posts: 177
Joined: Wed Jul 11, 2007 10:20 pm
Location: Palmer, AK

Re: Head lights flashing

Post by DGrant09 »

This sounds similar to an issue I had with a 7 pin trailer harness except that all my lights would flash on and off. I learned there are breakers in the system which are somewhat light duty and easily overloaded. Thunderfoot provided me some good trouble shooting points and a solution. Just as a shot in the dark, but is the wiring for this circuit in good shape and nothing tapped off of it? Sounds like there could be a good current draw somewhere.
09", F350, Cabelas, 6.4L
72", F250, CS, 390, 2 WD
fordman
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 22329
Joined: Sun Aug 28, 2005 8:17 pm
Location: Kansas, Ottawa
Contact:

Re: Head lights flashing

Post by fordman »

yea it sounds like something is heating up the breaker in the headlight switch and making them blink. possibly a crossed wire or a bulb gone wrong some how. and somehow i seem to remember something about the regulator. could also cause this. i cant remember what i read about it but i do remember it being discussed as a possible problem.
fmartin_gila1
Preferred User
Preferred User
Posts: 284
Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2007 9:20 am
Location: Arizona, Globe

Re: Head lights flashing

Post by fmartin_gila1 »

Replace the Headlight switch and install a Relay system to forever eliminate the blinky problem.

Fred
User avatar
71 LONG BED
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 1588
Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2006 7:28 am
Location: Hamburg, NJ

Re: Head lights flashing

Post by 71 LONG BED »

:yt: I've got the same problem. The power for the lights travels through the switch, heating it up. If you change to a relay system, then the switch only turns the relays on and off and will eliminate all those amps traveling through the switch, thus leading to a cooler switch and eliminating the blinking.
John Member #1549
71 F100 Sport Custom__________1967 F350 Gone, but not forgotten
Image Image Image
User avatar
Dragon
100% FORDified!
100% FORDified!
Posts: 2659
Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 4:43 pm
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Contact:

Re: Head lights flashing

Post by Dragon »

Old Fords Rule
Was a Ford Service Tech
71 F250 with Shell Car 390 NP435 Dana 60 3.73s, PS, PB, 750 EC VS Holley Accel Points Eliminator.
98 Volvo S70 2.4T Auto
71 Service manuals Volumes 1,2,3 and 4 So ask away. :)
My Gallery
Spark test
User avatar
Chaseman
New Member
New Member
Posts: 133
Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2008 12:18 am
Location: Prineville , Oregon

Re: Head lights flashing

Post by Chaseman »

Whoa this sounds familiar , to simply agree with everybody . that the headlight switch is overheating form a combination of higher output modern lamps and aging wiring. Solutions are to buy a headlight harness from 390nut or LMC which have relays that take the power instead of the actual switch. Or if your handy with wiring you can set up your own relay set up.
Post Reply