i used another thread to wire up my original headlight switch and nothing. no power. pretty sure i need a new one as i had to clean this one something feirce. so where can i find a 12v headlight switch or will a 6v work? i seem to only find a 6v its for a 54 mainline
Switches don't generally care about voltage, but since your old one has seen better days you could get one for a '56 or later. Ford went to 12 volts starting with the '56 models. I'm pretty sure it's the same switch across the model lines, so you could get one for a truck, a Mercury, whatever.
I have what looks like the original switch in my 54 Ford. Converted to 12 volts, no problems with original switch, been that way for at least 12 years and I use the car at night.
Did you rewire the car using a universal harness ? If you did your switch may be OK,the universal harnesses are all "GM friendly" and the headlight switch does not wire up like a Ford. Click on this: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/faq-sticky.897329/page-5 And read post# 128 & 129 and pull up the link in post # 129.
yes im using one i got off ebay thats gm friendly. i tried to match mine up as close to the one the guy used in his picture but it never hurts to double check.
also i have some wires labeled the same for in the cab is it possible i used the wrong one of the pair? like i have 2 dimmer wires for example
Read the section "A river runs through it" here https://watsons-streetworks.com/a-current-topic/ one dimmer wire in these harnesses is high beam one is low beam you can use either with these harnesses. This will make that "plug and play" and handle brighter headlight bulb types as in the article. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Headligh...t-Plugs-Relay-Wiring-Harness-Kit/262483542712
i forgot to ask this but does the high beam ****on on the floor need wired up for the headlights will work?
You could byp*** it by splicing the wires at the dimmer switch but then you'd only have low or high beams. Why would you want to eliminate the dimmer switch?
i dont want to eliminate it i meant does it need power for your headlights to come on? just trying to figure out my wiring
To properly complete the circuit,Yes. I suggest you take advantage of the information in the "Sticky FAQ" click on this https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/faq-sticky.897329/page-5 Scroll down to Posts#127,128,129 and click on the links within those posts. If you have any further questions ask them here,NEVER in the "Sticky" since most universal harness kits are "GM wired" and not Ford there is always some tweaking involving the headlight switch.
I agree with Jeff. If you're rewiring the car a wiring diagram or at least a schematic is a must. The power for the headlights p***es through the switch, so yes, in that sense it does need power.
I rewired my car 100% and still had to refer to the OG schematic now and then. I bought a new HL switch when I ordered the harness, from the same company. I had to trace out the column wires since the stripes on them were worn off.
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