F-450 Lighting catastrophe in progress.

[Camarogenius]

Okay, so I figured out my running light problem. In the headlight switch, I've got power to the ********* wire w/ the red stripe, and that's powering the headlights. It goes to pole B-1. However, I'm getting no power to the running lights. So, I played around with a jumper, and if I jump from B-1 to B-2, then my running lights work properly. I'm going to hard wire the jumper tomorrow.

Still no dash lights. While I was playing around with the plug/switch, I jumped from B-1 to the blue wire w/ red stripe(I think it was a red stripe, I may be wrong), and for a second, I had dash lights, until it blew a 30A fuse. When I was jumping to the dash lights, I had my thumb on the ceramic wheel for the dimmer/ dome lights, and it instantly got real hot, so I've got a direct ground somewhere, I need to find.

Meanwhile, There's no power from the switch to the dash lights, so I'm going to jump from the switch to running light relay, and run it to the dash light out wire. That way, I'll have power to the dash lights whenever the running lights are on. The one problem I see here is that I may lose my dimmer function. Does anyone have a map of the lightswitch/plug?

Today at the pick-n-pull, I grabbed another headlight relay. I want to wire this one in so that when I click on my high beams, both the low beam and high beams are on. Thoughts?

 

[NCheek]

As far as the relay to keep the low beams on while the highs are on, DO IT! First mod I do to any vehicle.

 

[The Warden]

As far as the relay to keep the low beams on while the highs are on, DO IT! First mod I do to any vehicle.

Just curious, do you see any difference in filament lifespan when doing this?

I've thought about doing it before, but I've always been told that doing so would make the bulb die FAR more quickly due to the extra heat generated...

 

[NCheek]

Never had any adverse effects... Knock on wood.

 

[typ4]

B2 powers running lights and tail and dash lights, you have a short and by jumping from b1 to 2 you will burn that fusible link also. Find the problem, fix the fusible link or fuse and go from there. Burning a complete truck harness is NOT fun.

 

[Camarogenius]

B2 powers running lights and tail and dash lights, you have a short and by jumping from b1 to 2 you will burn that fusible link also. Find the problem, fix the fusible link or fuse and go from there. Burning a complete truck harness is NOT fun.

Where are the fusible links located? Under the hood, or under the dash?

 

[suv7734]

I had one where the wire that is coiled around the ceramic insulator to dim the dash lights had come loose and it was grounding out intermittently. You might want to look at the switch, if it is gone (not uncommon) they aren't very expensive.

 

[Camarogenius]

I had one where the wire that is coiled around the ceramic insulator to dim the dash lights had come loose and it was grounding out intermittently. You might want to look at the switch, if it is gone (not uncommon) they aren't very expensive.

Switch is new yesterday.

 

[LCAM-01XA]

Well, some people will tell ya to just ditch the factory switch, and install toggles or rockers and run relays for everything, only problem with that is losing the dimmer feature, which sometimes comes real handy.

As for why your new switch is acting up, no idea.

 

[Diesel_brad]

I wouldnt doubt a short in the taillight wiring for the CC. I am still amazed how people wire taillights and such and expect them to actually work

 

[Dsl_Dog_Treat]

Where are the fusible links located? Under the hood, or under the dash?

Passenger fender connected to the solenoid.

 

[Camarogenius]

I wouldnt doubt a short in the taillight wiring for the CC. I am still amazed how people wire taillights and such and expect them to actually work

Actually, the tail light wiring is factory, and in good shape. The short is in my dash lights, and no power to b2 in the headlight switch.

Passenger fender connected to the solenoid.

Thanks!

 

[typ4]

Tahnks DslDc for the reply.

Check the ashtray light, radio light if factory. Look at the back of the fuse box for colors like B2, I dont remember if they junction there or in the engine compartment,.

 

[sootman73]

my dash light are on if the key is on. i can't turn them off or dim them but my headlights and running lights are seperate 50amp relays in stock relay locations in the fuse box.

X2 on the high/low beam question. is there too much heat with two filaments on? Does anyone else have this done?

 

[Camarogenius]

Checked 7 fusible links, All good.