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Dim headlight

jeremywatco

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2019
Messages
219
Loc.
San Diego, CA
One of my headlights isn't working right. It's just dim. Not bright at all. When I check the voltage I'm getting 3vdc at the light. Brand new bulb.

Other side works fine.

Thoughts?

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jeremywatco

Jr. Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2019
Messages
219
Loc.
San Diego, CA
Looks to be a bad ground. Other headlight has a ground wire screwed right to the frame next to it.

Tested similar on other side and works.

I don't have and brights though... When I hit that switch everything turns off.

Maybe I need to just rewire this thing. There are tons of cut wires all over the place that I have no clue what they are to.
 

gnpenning

Contributor
Bronco Slave
Joined
Dec 26, 2011
Messages
2,373
Loc.
I have more questions than answers.
Forgot to mention I would test the ground circuit while it's unplugged and I had a meter in my hand. I would also test the Hi beam switch as well. Sounds like you have at least 2 different things going on.
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
49,351
Yep, happens a lot.
You can test for voltage on High-Beam either at the light connectors, OR at the dimmer switch. Or both to make sure the wires are doing their jobs.
The switch is the most common culprit, but it's not unheard of for both high-beam filaments to be burned out either. You may just need new lamps/bulbs.
But testing will tell the tale.

If you check your grounds and they seem good, try connecting a temporary jumper wire as ground, directly from the battery to the core support sheet metal to see if that helps.
Remember that anything grounding to the core support metal is relying on it's ground path through the old welded junctions at each corner (inner fender skirt, or apron) and after so many years of rust, paint, or other deterioration, the ground connection may be almost gone.

And that assumes of course, that you actually still have a body ground? Is there a component of your negative battery cable that goes to the body directly? Or does it only go to the engine block?
If only the block, then you need to add a wire (10ga works) from the battery negative to the body.

Paul
 

tatersalad

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jan 17, 2009
Messages
1,067
Upgrade to a headlight relay wiring kit and pick up a new high beam foot switch. They are cheap and 100% better than the factory setup. The vendors all sell them as well as Ebay and Chinese knockoffs.
 

Pa PITT

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Messages
11,283
Loc.
Stephenville TEXAS
... What do you guys call the best Brand for the DIMMER SWITCH . I'LL BET I'VE REPLACE mine every year. Most of mine have been BWD. BUT I think they only cost about 8 bucks.
.. Yes I say check for bad grounds. Or at a good ground.
Even My 1980 Bronco has the same bad ground issues. Once a year I have to unbolt & tighten & fix my ground each year.
 

DirtDonk

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 3, 2003
Messages
49,351
I'd give Motorcraft a try. Or even AC Delco (the shock!) since I've had good luck with both of those brands on other parts.
Have not replaced a headlight or dimmer switch since going with relays.

Paul
 
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