Anybody know where a wiring diagram for a 31 Model A is. All the lights work on the car except high beam. Mine has the cowl lights. Just got the A last week and fellow I go it from said he changed the bulbs in the headlights but that was not it. It has a new wiring harness on it. I found a wiring diagram but it is for one without the cowl lights with two bulbs in the headlamps. I have not looked at the headlamps yet but they were changed to halogen bulbs a while back. It is still 6 volt. Low beam bulbs are pretty bright. I know it is something simple and probably right under my nose. But I thought some of ya might have run into this before. Thanks for the suggestions.
High Beam don't work
- Thread starter lschultz
- Start date
JBR
Senior Member
I don't have a wiring diagram for cowl lights. If I remember correctly the cowl lights were connected to the parking light wire at the bottom of the steering column with a special clip.
Check inside your headlight switch body. You will find a circular Bakelite piece with male spade terminals on it. The wires connect to the terminals with female spade connectors. Occasionally the connectors will become disconnected and the lights won't work.
Good luck,
Jon
Check inside your headlight switch body. You will find a circular Bakelite piece with male spade terminals on it. The wires connect to the terminals with female spade connectors. Occasionally the connectors will become disconnected and the lights won't work.
Good luck,
Jon
Bruce Adams
Well-known member
Bruce Adams
Well-known member
Oh yes,
Only difference with cowl lights diagram is that the yellow / black goes to the cowl instead of to the parking lamp in th eheadlight bucket.
High Beam, "Brights" take Black and Green wire.
Check and see if the hi beam contact has not wobbled out of place which is common.
Only difference with cowl lights diagram is that the yellow / black goes to the cowl instead of to the parking lamp in th eheadlight bucket.
High Beam, "Brights" take Black and Green wire.
Check and see if the hi beam contact has not wobbled out of place which is common.
Bruce Adams
Well-known member
I just photographed the diagram in Service Bulletin with the cowl lights.
Thanks for that wiring diagram Bruce. I was looking at the lighting switch last night and everything looks good in there. I will take the headlight apart tonight and look in there. I go me a couple of books ordered about Model A but they ain't come in yet. With ya's help I will figure it out. Thanks again.
JBR
Senior Member
Have you checked the bulbs? Just because the previous owner said he did, doesn't mean they are good. Check the bulbs and make sure.
How are the head lights wired? Are you using the original type plugs and sockets? Are they original or repos? Sometimes the metal buttons (for lack of a better word) in the sockets will move off to the side and short out against the side of the socket and/or each other and cause one beam of the headlights to go out.
Unhook one light and check the other. If it works, you know the problem is in the other light. If it doesn't work unhook it and hook the other one back up. Does it work? Try to isolate the problem to one side or the other.
Let us know what happens. If that doesn't work we will try something else.
Good luck,
Jon
How are the head lights wired? Are you using the original type plugs and sockets? Are they original or repos? Sometimes the metal buttons (for lack of a better word) in the sockets will move off to the side and short out against the side of the socket and/or each other and cause one beam of the headlights to go out.
Unhook one light and check the other. If it works, you know the problem is in the other light. If it doesn't work unhook it and hook the other one back up. Does it work? Try to isolate the problem to one side or the other.
Let us know what happens. If that doesn't work we will try something else.
Good luck,
Jon
J Franklin
Well-known member
If all else fails get out a Volt/ohm meter and find where things fail.