Headlight fuse?

[dwest999]

Hello Forum friends.  I went to turn on my headlights last night and no power. I checked both bulbs and I have no power going to either of them.  I tried to crawl in with the dash and look at the switch however that’s almost impossible. I’ve got a 54 Dodge Meadowbrook. Anyway, in reading other post maybe it could be the headlight fuse? And checking the wiring diagram there does appear to be a fuse somewhere in line.  I found what I think is the fuse, but I’m not sure. I posted a picture down below. If this is indeed the fuse how does this darn thing come apart. Any and all help is much appreciated.

[desoto1939]

First Issue is that you a lot of bare wire being exposed and I would think that you should start to replace the wiring. The black container is the fuse holder. The cap at the end might twist off or just be a pressure fit cap with the fuse inside it.  Take you time it will come apart and start to fix the wiring.

 

Also suugest that you get a service manual and parts manual for your car. The service manaul ususally has the wiring diagrams included.

 

These two manuals are the basic manuals that you should have for your car prior to try to understand your car.  If you had these two manuals you would have found that the information was in the wiring diagram and also the size fuse to use.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

Edited August 20, 2021 by desoto1939

[dwest999]

Thanks for response, I do have a service manual as well as a parts manual. That said I couldn’t find details about that specific fuse holder. I also tried to look at the Internet for some pictures but couldn’t find anything either. Anyway your input will be very helpful. As always thank you so much.

[knuckleharley]

1 hour ago, dwest999 said:

Hello Forum friends.  I went to turn on my headlights last night and no power. I checked both bulbs and I have no power going to either of them.  I tried to crawl in with the dash and look at the switch however that’s almost impossible. I’ve got a 54 Dodge Meadowbrook. Anyway, in reading other post maybe it could be the headlight fuse? And checking the wiring diagram there does appear to be a fuse somewhere in line.  I found what I think is the fuse, but I’m not sure. I posted a picture down below. If this is indeed the fuse how does this darn thing come apart. Any and all help is much appreciated.

I see a lot of splicing and electrical tape wrapping. What you REALLY need is a brand new wiring harness. It could keep your car from burning to the ground one day.

[dwest999]

I hear you… does need a wiring harness at some point.  Need to do that at one point… until then I’ll keep paying my insurance… lol

[JerseyHarold]

Check the dimmer switch.  Sometimes the terminals get cruddy and you don't get output to the headlights.

[Jerry Roberts]

6 minutes ago, JerseyHarold said:

Check the dimmer switch.  Sometimes the terminals get cruddy and you don't get output to the headlights.

And the solution to that problem is to stomp on the switch several times . 

[keithb7]

The solution is a digital multi-meter. 
Check continuity. Check path to ground. Ohms thru the switch. Voltage at the source, voltage at the switch, and after the switch etc. 

 

On a related note I installed a small fuse panel in my ‘38 Ply. Separate circuits and relays for high and low beam. Each circuit with it’s own fuse. 
 

I will make it home long after dark! ?

[Plymouthy Adams]

4 minutes ago, keithb7 said:

 

I will make it home long after dark! ?

 

 

drop in a hemi and make it home long before you need to turn on the lights......?

[dwest999]

I hear you… does need a wiring harness at some point.  Need to do that at one point… until then I’ll keep paying my insurance… lol

[dwest999]

Thanks Keith.  My biggest issue with the switch is I can’t figure out how to get there w a multi meter.  I was hoping it was a fuse bc that’s accessible.  My switch is on the far left side of the dash w the clutch pedal in the way of my head… I managed to take a picture of the gauge; however wires from the switch panel are in the way.  I swear everything on the 54 Meadowbrook is a PITA… solution for now, don’t drive at night (?)

[dwest999]

BTW, does anyone know how the fuse comes apart?  Like I said, I looked through the manual and can't find boo.  Thanks all.

[LazyK]

i do not believe what you show in your photo is a fuse holder, I believe it is a splice connection, and can not be taken apart with out damage.  Keith has the correct answer, get a meter. two screws and the dimmer switch will drop out the bottom. four wires 1 power, 1 high beam, 1 low beam and 1 high beam indicator. since you have no lights i would lean towards the switch, in the dash, its self. do your parking lights work? if parking lights work then you have power to the dash switch.

[dwest999]

LazyK.  Parking lights have never worked.  That said, when I turn on the switch my rear brake lights do work.  I'll check the dimmer switch which might have been disturbed earlier this year when I put in a new driver side floor pan.  My biggest concern is how to get to the switch on the dash.  I seriously don't know how to access the switch as I'm not a contorionist and the darn thing is way up under the dash. 

[LazyK]

tail lights or break lights? brake lights do not go thru the dash switch. FWIW, Very few fuses in these old cars

Edited August 21, 2021 by LazyK

[dwest999]

I have both tail lights and brake lights both.  I am wondering if this means my switch is working?

[Kilgore47]

15 hours ago, dwest999 said:

I hear you… does need a wiring harness at some point.  Need to do that at one point… until then I’ll keep paying my insurance… lol

A new wiring harness is cheap insurance.  And not that hard to install on these old cars.  I installed a new wiring harness on the P15 last summer.  Complete with a fuse block.  About 300 dollars for the kit I used.

[Kahunah]

I don't know if '54 is the same, but on my '41 the fuse is right on the headlight switch.

[keithb7]

18 hours ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

 

 

drop in a hemi and make it home long before you need to turn on the lights......?

OMG. Never! Not in my old flathead Mopars. No way will one get a v8 dumped in while under my care. 

 

My original headlights have the little 3W or so marker lights inside. Tucked up near the top behold the lens. I  enjoy driving at dusk and only have the marker lamps on. Very dim jaundice light. More like an accent light. I think it looks very cool. 
 

 The situation really gathers lots of interesting comments from unaware spectators. They think and often say derogatory comments about how dull my old headlights are.  They think the old 6V system sucks and should be upgraded to 12V. Makes me chuckle to myself.  Lol.  The other night a guy said I’d be “better off if I turned on the LED light on my cell phone, and strapped it to the front bumper”. 
 

My warped mind snickers a little  at these unaware folks. I still have low beams and high beams, not turned on yet. ? The stock 6V lights are totally adequate for the speeds the cars were designed to travel at. 

Edited August 21, 2021 by keithb7

[Plymouthy Adams]

  20 hours ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

 

 

drop in a hemi and make it home long before you need to turn on the lights......?

OMG. Never! Not in my old flathead Mopars. No way will one get a v8 dumped in while under my care. 

 

 

THUS...........the big cheese eating grin at the end.....

Edited August 21, 2021 by Plymouthy Adams

[desoto1939]

2 hours ago, keithb7 said:

OMG. Never! Not in my old flathead Mopars. No way will one get a v8 dumped in while under my care. 

 

My original headlights have the little 3W or so marker lights inside. Tucked up near the top behold the lens. I  enjoy driving at dusk and only have the marker lamps on. Very dim jaundice light. More like an accent light. I think it looks very cool. 
 

 The situation really gathers lots of interesting comments from unaware spectators. They think and often say derogatory comments about how dull my old headlights are.  They think the old 6V system sucks and should be upgraded to 12V. Makes me chuckle to myself.  Lol.  The other night a guy said I’d be “better off if I turned on the LED light on my cell phone, and strapped it to the front bumper”. 
 

My warped mind snickers a little  at these unaware folks. I still have low beams and high beams, not turned on yet. ? The stock 6V lights are totally adequate for the speeds the cars were designed to travel at. 

Keith:  I also agree with you. My 39 desoto still has the 6 volt prefocus bulbs. I do travel at night but use the roads that I know to get home safely and have driving lights also on the bumpers.  I also use reflective strips that can come off the rear bumper and also have two red bicycle flashing lights attached to my license plate to help warn drivers that they are approaching a slower moving vehicle.

 

It all basically comes down to how you prepare your car for the road for night time driving and how you also drive at night you cannot go at 50 on roads that you do not know.

 

I also have a third brake light that is attached with suction cups in my split rear window that acts as a brake light and also turn signal light that work inconjunction with my two taillights that also have dual filaments and are the 1158 bulbs 6 volt.

 

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

 

[dwest999]

Quick update.  After investigating a few thing from various recommendations I found a wire had fallen out of the dimmer switch.  So I pulled off the switch, cleaned the terminals on the switch and wires, cleaned a few other things up, reinstalled and presto, the headlights now work.  Seems like it’s a small win; however I needed it as several other fix it projects have lingered on the whole summer.  Anyway, thanks all for your input.  Dave