headlight burnout

E

El caminnow

Junior Member
I drive a stock 29 4door and Im having a problem with ONE head light burning out consistantly. When I replace it its good for a few hours then goes out, head light only. The brights don't burn though. Connections seem okay but I wonder about ground or over amperage, when I turn the lights on it goes from 15 to about 3 to 4 amps. Im using a stock bulb made in China, the other bulb that does not burn out is some old bulb that ive had no problems with. Seems like it may be a common problem?
 
The fact that you don't have 'brights' indicates to me you have wiring, connector or SWITCH problems (most likely this last)

You don't say if you have a replacement light switch (bottom of steering column) but these are notorious for not maintaining electrical continuity (something about not strong enough springs or mis-shaped contacts or something.)

Even an original switch is subject to "issues" in the intervening 80 years. Ditto the cloth covered wiring.

You can disassemble the switch and "hot wire" the contacts. And thereby "prove out" the wiring/contact/bulb. Scope out the electrical wiring diagram though first before you create a dead short - and set your car afire. Diagram can be found at http://www.webjunk.com/modela/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/wiring-diagramcolor2sm.jpg

The Model A wiring system is simple in it's theory but not put well into practice by Ford - and even less so by the aftermarket producers of parts.

Joe K
 
I second the motion to check for bad grounds....infamous on an 80 yr old car with 80 yrs of rust and/or new paint.

I ran a dedicated ground to all my lights, always in the conduits, and from the outside no one can tell. If I need'em, I want'em to work!!
 
I was burning out china bulbs every few months. Bought some bulbs at a swap meet that were so old I had to steel wool the black off the base. That was about five yearts ago. No problems since.
 
I agree with the guys above to check for poor grounds. Use a volt ohm meter and measure the ground between the headlight and the rest of the chassis. If should be zero or close to that. The generator could be st too high except that the other bulbs aren't blowing. The repro bulbs are junk. Most have a flat filament which doesn't "project" light i na beam, it only emits light. If you can find old style GE 1000 bulbs those are the correct 32-32 cp bulbs. If you're using original reflectors they will be orientated correctly. If they are repro the could be off. the filament shoud be one of top of the other. not cocked,sideways, etc.
Best of luck,
larry S
 
Vibration will also blow bulbs. Take the good bulb out and put in a chinese one. If It blows it's probably bad bulbs. If it lasts, then look for possible excessive vibration on the other socket. Ron W
 
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