Headlight weird issue.

Thatoneguy

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Replace your headlight switch and pigtail ASAP. Also, if you have the time, you might want to run relays to shift the current from the stock pigtail and switch to a dedicated circuit just for the headlights.

When my burned up, this was the condition of my headlight switch and pigtail. I was lucky it didn't burn up my whole van.

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More info: http://www.nickpisca.com/diesel/electrical/1980s-ford-headlight-dimmer-switch-connector-replacement/
Thanks for the info! I'm probably gonna order either the of the wiring kits and put in the relays with it. Hopefully they come with directions! I'm a bit of an idiot lol

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Thatoneguy

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So y'all think I would be better off replacing the stock switch and pigtail but add relays, then adding relays and getting rid of the stock switch and pigtail? Will adding relays to the stock setup and getting the heavy duty wiring kit fix the burning issues?

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towcat

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So y'all think I would be better off replacing the stock switch and pigtail but add relays, then adding relays and getting rid of the stock switch and pigtail? Will adding relays to the stock setup and getting the heavy duty wiring kit fix the burning issues?

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adding relays without fixing the original cause is not smart whatsoever. with the addition of relays ontop of the fix, you avoid a revisit later.
 

chillman88

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Is this the kit you're referring to?
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That's the one yes. For the price I couldn't see messing with all the wiring myself. I'd be over that price quick ordering the good parts to do it right.

For the record, my headlights are notably brighter too. I didn’t have problems with my switch yet either, more of a preventative measure with benefits on mine.
 

Thatoneguy

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Thanks for the help gents! Gonna order to kit and new pigtail and switch today

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franklin2

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Thanks for the help gents! Gonna order to kit and new pigtail and switch today

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I have never seen your situation before. The headlight part of the switch usually doesn't give problems, it's the running light/dash light part of the switch that burns up. The running/dashlight part of the switch is fed with the tan/white wire, and usually burns completely in two.

Like the others said, Ford barely made this switch and circuits big enough to do the job. Add a little age to the connections and they start getting hot. The connectors expand from the heat and that makes the connection even more loose and create more heat.
 

Thatoneguy

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I have never seen your situation before. The headlight part of the switch usually doesn't give problems, it's the running light/dash light part of the switch that burns up. The running/dashlight part of the switch is fed with the tan/white wire, and usually burns completely in two.

Like the others said, Ford barely made this switch and circuits big enough to do the job. Add a little age to the connections and they start getting hot. The connectors expand from the heat and that makes the connection even more loose and create more heat.
Ya it seems I always run into the weird issues... Just read my repair thread after my accident lol. I actually cant get the pigtail and switch separated for some reason. So I can't confirm or deny that it's burnt. I'm just gonna replace all of it with the beefy kit and if that doesn't solve the problem, I'm gonna go real old school and have toggles switches and relays for headlights, running/dash lights.

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79jasper

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Mine actually died the same way. First low beams went, then I was driving with highs, then highs quit, so I had to finish the drive with just parking lights.

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Thatoneguy

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Mine actually died the same way. First low beams went, then I was driving with highs, then highs quit, so I had to finish the drive with just parking lights.

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So will my plan fix the issue? I'm gonna get the heavy duty wiring kit with it's relays, new pigtail and new switch. Might even get the connectors that actually connects to to the headlights too.

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chillman88

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Might even get the connectors that actually connects to to the headlights too

The way the harness from Bronco Graveyard works is it plugs into the headlights and you plug one of the original headlight plugs into it. The way I put mine in I used the Passenger side socket from the factory harness.

After that you hook up a ground for each headlight and power for the relays. They all have eyelets to go over studs. There was a factory ground in the right place on my truck near each headlight and you could tie the power in at the fender mounted starter solenoid.
 
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