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Old 01-06-2013, 03:58 PM
amazingflapjack amazingflapjack is offline
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Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering."  
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Default Help with head light/dash light "flickering."

Hi Guys-My 1980 f-150's (restored/garaged) lights are flickering, and once in a blue moon they go out momentarily. Things go better, it seems, when I have the rheostat set to the brighter setting. I would appreciate your experience. Thanks, Flapjack.

Update: Hi Guys: well, I changed the light switch, and the lights seem to be brighter, but could be my imagination. There is still flickering in the headlights and dash lights. I have not driven very far at night to see if the lights go out, but that was a very rare occurrence anyway. I should probably have mentioned this before, but I am far from being an electronics guru-real far! But anyway, my truck has a very Hi energy ignition system: MSD ignition, coil, wires, and a Mallory uni-light distributor. It also has Iridium plugs. I had the thought that the rapid pulsing of the ignition, which fires multiple times instead of just once on each cylinder, may cause this problem, or that the wires, which are probably 6-8 years old, may be losing the ability to insulate, (pause for laughter) like I said, no guru! I would appreciate your thoughts, and clarifying questions. I can live with the situation if the lights will stay lit with reasonable certainty, but would feel better doing what needs doing to fix it if reasonable. Thank you for your help. Flapjack.

Last edited by amazingflapjack; 01-12-2013 at 03:19 PM. Reason: update
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Old 01-06-2013, 04:05 PM
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Probably a connection problem. You might want to check your generator and especially it's regulator and the grounding cable to the frame.
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Old 01-06-2013, 04:09 PM
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s1mp13m4n s1mp13m4n is offline
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My first thought would be the headlight dash switch. That is the older type switch that you pull straight back two clicks from the dash, right? I would say it is dirty or worn out. Without seeing the truck it is hard to say, but that would be my first guess.
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Old 01-06-2013, 04:14 PM
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Straightshooter2 Straightshooter2 is offline
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Do all electronics go out or just the headlights/dashlights. Does the radio still play? If it's just the lights and the rheostat turned to brighter makes it get better/stop, it sounds like the headlight switch. Don't know about the 80's style F-150 but hopefully it's a push/pull switch on the dash. A little easier to change than one of the rotating type switches built into the turn signal or some other lever on the column.

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Old 01-06-2013, 04:15 PM
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Its probably the main switch on the dash. The switch has an "Overamp" cutout for the main lamps. It is a bimetal (Temp controlled) contact that becomes weak with age. It will cut the headlights momentarily even though they are not over amped. The solution is a new switch. The old switch CAN be repaired, but you have to crack the case. I think that you have to drill out rivets.
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Old 01-06-2013, 05:27 PM
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Bet you put blinker fluid in where the headlamp fluid is suppose to go, right??

I hate electrical problems.
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Old 01-06-2013, 06:40 PM
cballman cballman is offline
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Well it could be either the headlight switch or it could be the floor mounted dimmer switch. Check the dimmer switch to make sure there is no corossion on the terminals. Had it happen once to me. Or it could be the headlight switch or the connections to the switch.
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Old 01-06-2013, 06:54 PM
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Common problem. The older Fords with the pull switch tend to loosen at the connectors which makes them overheat. Usually ends up burning the switch and the plug and often melts them together.
Easy fix. New switches and connectors avalible at Napa.
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Old 01-06-2013, 06:57 PM
amazingflapjack amazingflapjack is offline
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Thanks for the helpful responses, I thought it was probably the switch too, so I will head in that direction. Thanks again, best regards, Flapjack.
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Old 01-06-2013, 07:00 PM
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Buttugly072 Buttugly072 is offline
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I had a 94 ranger years ago that did that. sometimes if you wiggled the knob or turned it from left to right you could get it in the right position and the lights would stay on. I was indeed the pull out knob/switch on the dash that was failing.
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Old 01-06-2013, 07:06 PM
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You might want to rent "Close Encounters of the 3rd Kind."
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Old 01-06-2013, 07:06 PM
mkk41 mkk41 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cballman View Post
Well it could be either the headlight switch or it could be the floor mounted dimmer switch. Check the dimmer switch to make sure there is no corossion on the terminals. Had it happen once to me. Or it could be the headlight switch or the connections to the switch.
Had that happen in 2 of my Jeeps. Used to drive me nutz! Light would just go out for awhile , and come back on. Corroded foot switch.
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Old 01-06-2013, 09:32 PM
COL Jagdog COL Jagdog is offline
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I had that problem with my F-150 -- the lights quit flickering when I quit blinking my eyes. I think it was related to Old Pusser's Rum that found it's way into my pineapple-orange juice.
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Old 01-06-2013, 09:37 PM
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My experience with my Fords has been the dimmer switch.
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Old 01-06-2013, 11:11 PM
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On my 1957 Thunderbird, I had a loose wire behind the dash. It would touch ground and the lights would go out and then come back on.
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Old 01-06-2013, 11:33 PM
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Do what ever needs to be done and then get a little bell like the ones used on your fishing pole and hook it to the rearview mirror . It will keep the Gremlins away. (not the AMC Gremlins) the little gray fuzzie ones that get into the wires and hoses and stuff. I did that on my 52 Desoto worked wonders, until it caught fire.
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Old 01-12-2013, 04:09 PM
amazingflapjack amazingflapjack is offline
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Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering."  
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Back to the top please.
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Old 01-12-2013, 04:32 PM
tacreload tacreload is offline
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Flap,I would change the dimmer switch and the headlight switch.headlight switch is part #DS197,Dimmer is #DS70 these are made by Standard ignition and should be obtainable through aftermarket parts stores for probably less than 30.00.Also pull the voltage regulator off of the rad support,passenger side if remember correctly and look for rust or corrosion where it mounts.This may cause a bad ground which will give you fits.Also examine the voltage regulator plug.These are the most common issues with these older Fords.Good luck and hope this helps you.
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Old 01-12-2013, 05:47 PM
amazingflapjack amazingflapjack is offline
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All right, I just picked up the dimmer switch, and will proceed with checking your other suggestions. Thanks very much.
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Old 01-12-2013, 05:56 PM
Duster340 Duster340 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaykellogg View Post
On my 1957 Thunderbird, I had a loose wire behind the dash. It would touch ground and the lights would go out and then come back on.
Yes, my initial thought was a bad ground/short.
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Old 01-12-2013, 06:06 PM
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Dmaxboy08 Dmaxboy08 is offline
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when the lights flicker, are they going completely dead or just getting really dim and then bright again?
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Old 01-13-2013, 12:01 AM
amazingflapjack amazingflapjack is offline
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Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering." Help with head light/dash light "flickering."  
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DMAX-NEITHER-flickering is the best description I can come up with. To someone who wasn't paying attention, they might not even notice it. It is very fast, and really does not dim.
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