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Interest in article on headlight switch???

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  • GTE427
    Super-Experienced
    • Oct 9 2007
    • 602

    #16
    I looked in the parts book, it doesn't list different part numbers for a convertible headlight swtch. I've seen that statement on ebay before noting the light switch isn't for convertibles.

    Two other points of interest, in addition to the switch with group number 11654, it also list a service part, group number 11645, the rheostat. Additionally, the description list the two fuses that are on the switch, one for dome lights, the second for brake lights. Odd place to put this.
    Ken
    1959 J Convertible
    1960 J Hardtop

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    • JohnG
      John
      • Jul 28 2003
      • 2341

      #17
      hi Ken
      thanks!! so the second fuse I find on the 1960ish switch I have (white knob) is for the brake lights?? I guess that means a short wire should run from the A post on the switch to the second fuse and then a lead from that second fuse to the brake lights.

      Am I correct that this switch (white knob, with two fuses) is the same part number as my 1958 switch (with one fuse, black knob)?

      Existence of a separate rheostat is interesting to me...it means that even way back then, the rheostats were failing, whereas I had attributed it to very old age and resulting brittleness of wire. I never tried removing one...

      john
      Last edited by JohnG; July 15, 2008, 08:38 AM.
      1958 Hardtop
      #8452 TBird Registry
      http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)

      photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
      history:
      http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm

      Comment

      • GTE427
        Super-Experienced
        • Oct 9 2007
        • 602

        #18
        John,

        I think the extra two terminals on the underside of the switch are for the dome light. On the 1959 wiring diagram there are seven terminals marked B,D,A,I,H,P,R, which agree with your Repair Sheet. Two additional unmarked terminals are also shown and noted as 'dome light switch'. I have a switch from a 60HT and this has the nine terminals.

        Now for some assumptions, on the Hardtops, (with the correct switch), rotating the switch knob fully in one direction will turn on the dome light. On a convertible, the dome light is in the cover plate below the radio, this light is switched by a switch adjacent to the light, so there is no need for the headlight switch to also operate the dome light. Possible Ford had two different light switches, one with and one without the dome light switch. And maybe at a later date this evolved into one switch with nine terminals to simpify things. The one on ebay looks to be missing the additional terminals. Can anyone add to this?

        Can we get feedback on the three Hardtop Model years, does the headlight switch operate the dome light?
        Ken
        1959 J Convertible
        1960 J Hardtop

        Comment

        • JohnG
          John
          • Jul 28 2003
          • 2341

          #19
          did they have two different switches (1 for HT, 1 for Convert) or did they have one switch that they used in two different ways?

          The convertible switch (whatever it is) application might simply make no use of the rotating handle feature and instead send 12V to the maplight anytime the headlights were on, leaving the people with the choice of switching it on under the radio.

          Do we have convertible people who can tell us whether the map light will only come on (with its own switch under the radio) IF the headlights are on?? maybe also if the parking lights are on. If Yes, then the map light receives its power from the headlight switch.

          If I were Ford, I would want as few different items as possible so I would try to get one part to serve two functions by changing the peripheral wiring to it.

          I base part of this on your saying that the parts manual only showed a single part #.

          What do you think??

          Also, is there a different wiring diagram for the convertible than the hardtop? (must be with all those relays...)

          John
          Last edited by JohnG; July 15, 2008, 02:37 PM.
          1958 Hardtop
          #8452 TBird Registry
          http://tbird.info/registry/DataSheet...r~equals~8452)

          photo: http://www.squarebirds.org/users/joh...d_June2009.jpg
          history:
          http://www.squarebirds.org/users/johng/OCC.htm

          Comment

          • tarps3
            Super-Experienced
            • Jul 21 2003
            • 837

            #20
            Hi John,

            I have a complete wiring manual for the '60 Birds. It includes hardtops and convertibles.
            I'll look at it tonight and see what I can discover.

            Say.......
            Is it possible to scan and place all the diagrams into the technical section if I mail you the manual.
            It is a reprint of the original Ford manual but it is EXTREMELY detailed and complete.
            It shows how to route wiring; which clips go where; wire colors; gauge, etc.
            Casey

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