Light switch pin out
- Thread starter Brendan1959
- Start date
gdmn852
Well-known member
Hello, the center pin is for the horn , on opposite side should be spring loaded to contact the light rod coming down from light control on steering wheel. On mine , it looks like a flared tube with a brass contact soldered in center, it passes through the isolated plastic disk , then has wire for horn loom on it . With as many reproduction harness around, this might vary. Hope this helps.
Joe K
Well-known member
Yours appears to be the earliest "open bail" type switch used until February/March of 1929. You're looking at the piece which attaches to the bottom of the steering column by a little "bracket." No cover shown and the wires attach with push-on connectors.
Later versions had a sort of round "edison base" circular connection similar to a bayonet light bulb.
The three different light switches are described not perfectly in The Restorer Magazine for July/August 1992 p.14 (Volume 37, No. 2)
What is distinctive for yours is the fact that it was used with headlights which only contained one bulb/two filaments in a "high-low" orientation. No parking bulb and there were only two wires leading to the headlight. The switch handle in the center of the steering column usually indicates "High" with an arrow.
You should be able to use a continuity tester to determine the "in" for current and what orients to what pin for position for "out."
Page 214 of the Service Bulletins shows the circuit diagram for the car of your switch. This should help a LOT.
Parts for these early switches are not reproduced, and most restorers "adapt" their steering column to take either of the later two versions of bayonet "Twolight" type switch: the later of these switches ARE reproduced - imperfectly.
Best for you would be to sound out what you need to complete your switch. Some of the "original" parts suppliers may be able to help you to complete your switch if it is not.
There is a "sub-branch" of the hobby that deals with "AR" type Model A - the very early cars produced before Ford had refined/improved the design. There is an active trade in "early" parts - providing you know what you have and what you're looking for. I think you are among these with what you've shown.
Joe K
Later versions had a sort of round "edison base" circular connection similar to a bayonet light bulb.
The three different light switches are described not perfectly in The Restorer Magazine for July/August 1992 p.14 (Volume 37, No. 2)
What is distinctive for yours is the fact that it was used with headlights which only contained one bulb/two filaments in a "high-low" orientation. No parking bulb and there were only two wires leading to the headlight. The switch handle in the center of the steering column usually indicates "High" with an arrow.
You should be able to use a continuity tester to determine the "in" for current and what orients to what pin for position for "out."
Page 214 of the Service Bulletins shows the circuit diagram for the car of your switch. This should help a LOT.
Parts for these early switches are not reproduced, and most restorers "adapt" their steering column to take either of the later two versions of bayonet "Twolight" type switch: the later of these switches ARE reproduced - imperfectly.
Best for you would be to sound out what you need to complete your switch. Some of the "original" parts suppliers may be able to help you to complete your switch if it is not.
There is a "sub-branch" of the hobby that deals with "AR" type Model A - the very early cars produced before Ford had refined/improved the design. There is an active trade in "early" parts - providing you know what you have and what you're looking for. I think you are among these with what you've shown.
Joe K
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Brendan1959
Member
Thanks for the detailed reply Joe.
The switch did not come with the car it was a swap meet pick up, I think it only has 3 positions and off appears to be in the middle, AR is a definite possibility as we got lots in Australia. In fact my roadster is an AR. I have a 29 rolling chassis that I may make a speedster out of I bought the switch with the hope of setting up a basic wiring so its driveable.
The switch did not come with the car it was a swap meet pick up, I think it only has 3 positions and off appears to be in the middle, AR is a definite possibility as we got lots in Australia. In fact my roadster is an AR. I have a 29 rolling chassis that I may make a speedster out of I bought the switch with the hope of setting up a basic wiring so its driveable.
rotorwrench
Well-known member
This link is very good on most electrical systems for the model A.
https://www.lionsgatemodelaclub.com/Reference Info/2018 Reno Electrical System Alex Janke (1).pdf
If it was a Canadian car then it might have had something different to even the Ford USA stuff. They did thinks a bit differently up there.
https://www.lionsgatemodelaclub.com/Reference Info/2018 Reno Electrical System Alex Janke (1).pdf
If it was a Canadian car then it might have had something different to even the Ford USA stuff. They did thinks a bit differently up there.
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Brendan1959
Member
Great information thanks