No headlights or taillights

KarlJS

KarlJS

Senior Member
Took my 39’ truck around the block and now I have no headlights/ taillights or brake lights. Took the junction box apart (by steering box) and cleaned connections. Now when reassembled I turn horn rod it just locks up and won’t move until I disassemble the junction box then it moves freely. Heard the junction box needs to be indexed but not sure how to do that.
 
Its not too difficult, study the parts you have. For clocking, the switch on the steering wheel should be in the off position. I like to hold it down with a bungi cord so it won't move while you fiddle around on the bottom end. Now, with the top switch in the off position, the fork thingy on the bottom slides on the square shaft end with the forks vertical, spring first, fork, then C clip. Then stick a screwdriver in the square hole on the switch and flip it around to all positions until you know you have it also in the off position. Then, pay attention to the square tab on the plastic switch body so it lines up and it should all go together quite nicely. As far as the brake lights, they should be hot all the time, have you changed any of the wire connections at the switch ?
 
Another note, I have found that some of the plastic contact plates have the brass contacts way above the surface, making it hard to turn the lever on the steering wheel. I take a file and file them down to flush with the plastic, which will still leave a detent hole there, and yet they turn easy
 
Haven’t thought about the brakes being hot, maybe a wire came off brake switch. Thanks for the suggestions
 
You will find slots in various parts and stamped into the steel there are bosses for the slots to fit over. The plastic contact block you cleaned also has a slot that fits over a boss in the light switch body. The junction box on the bottom of the steering box is the "Light switch"
 
The only thing that will take out all of the lights including brake lights is the fuse. Follow the wire out of the ammeter to the fuse.


Which means you probably have a short to find.
 
Yes, power coming in, always hot, then power out to the light when you stomp on the brake
 
Grounds are good. Extra too.


The other night I was going to take the 36 down to a camp fire at night. Thought I would check the lights as I don't drive much at night. No lights. Pulled the fuse to see if it was blown. Nope. Cleaned it and the fuse contacts. Lights again.
 
Check to see if all the bullet connectors are in tight. Some really need great force to get them to snap in place.
 
Coop,
Wiring diagram for '39 car shows a fuse between the ammeter and connection to all lights, including brake lights. I presume the truck is the same.
 
drolston said:
Coop,
Wiring diagram for '39 car shows a fuse between the ammeter and connection to all lights, including brake lights. I presume the truck is the same.
Click to expand...


SHAME on ME! This age thing is beginning to do stupid things with my better judgement. I KNEW THAT I SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THAT before hitting the SUBMIT REPLY button! SORRY, GUYS!

Coop

.
 
V8COOPMAN said:
SHAME on ME! This age thing is beginning to do stupid things with my better judgement. I KNEW THAT I SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THAT before hitting the SUBMIT REPLY button! SORRY, GUYS!

Coop

.
Click to expand...

Ah, Coop, I didn’t initially respond to that silliness out of a misdirected respect for your professed certainty of the question of fused or not fused. I knew better, as did others, but, bottom line, we blew it by not shutting you down before now. Your apology accepted and posted with pride above the door.
 
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