Lights

[MarkAubuchon]

Last night in a pounding thunderstorm, I lost the lights on my 49. Nothing! but every once in a while they would come on for a second and then off. Let it sit overnight and dry out a little bit. Head lights come on, no running lights,

but the brake lights come on. Still running 6volt, new wiring harness under the hood, but original still under the dash. Where should I look first?

[casper50]

Start at a bulb that's not working and work your way back checking for juice.

[Dodgeb4ya]

The headlight switch has a circuit breaker in it. It detected a short and most likely and was opening and closing causing the lights to go on and off. It controls both the head lights and tail lights.

Now the tail lights don't work.... maybe the problem is the tail light wiring circuit.

[Don Coatney]

Short to ground somewhere but could be anywhere. Hand trace every wire.

[MarkAubuchon]

you are correct, started checking,  finally traced it back to brake lights.  What we finally found was the license plate light had a small rub causing it to short out against the trunk lid. Fixed, I'm ready for Michigan!!!!!

[Don Coatney]

Mark, are you driving through Fort Wayne on the way to Port Huron? Lisa and I are going to Port Huron but we are not leaving until Friday and I will not be driving my Plymouth..

[greg g]

Don, what's up with the Plymouth?

[MarkAubuchon]

Don,  I'm leaving Thursday afternoon, thru Indianapolis up north.  Plan on getting to Detroit that night. Port Huron early Friday morning.

[Don Coatney]

Don, what's up with the Plymouth?

Still un-wired

[greg g]

Make some jumpers.........

[Don Coatney]

Too late for that. I have already cut the old harness out.

 

[greg g]

That just looks like lights and stuff. You doneed no stinkin lights......

[Don Coatney]

Actually I have the light circuit almost done. I do need the stinkin engine and dash wires.

[greg g]

Hot wire that puppy!

[Don Coatney]

That is what I had to do to drive it home last time after the smoke escaped.

[BobT-47P15]

On the 4th of July I took the Plymouth to our niece's house, about 10 miles from home.  

As we started back for home at about 11 pm......the headlights suddenly became very dim.....so I went to the high

beam and that provided more light.  

 

I finally figured out that the re-wire job on the hood ornament light was the

culprit......I think it's double grounded, or something.  Anyway......since I unhooked that light 

the low beam headlights have been fine.  The ornament was wired to come on with the low

beams.....but not attached to the high.   Something else to fix when I get in the mood.

 

Also....I'd like to figure out how to put more light on the speedometer.  The gauges are pretty readable

at night, and the speedo is lit by those same two bulbs.