Finally solved headlight problem...

Nickathome · Post by **Nickathome** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:33 am

For those who do not know this story, I had a problem with the driver's side headlight suddenly going dim(like its owner) one day. I couldn't figure out the cause. I checked the ground, to no avail. Well, last night while waiting out the rain storm, I decided to go into the garage and mess with the truck. I removed the headlamp, and began poking around inside the tear drop. Well for one I found that the headlamps are 12 volt, not 24 and have a modern three pronged connector clamped to the old wiring. I don't know how the previous owner did this with 12 volt lamps in a 24 volt system but they did. Anyway, I traced the wires and found the cause of my short. The rubber insulator that the wires exit the tear drop through is missing and one of the wires has rubbed against the side of the tear drop thus causing the insulation to wear off, and it shorted against the tear drop. I moved the wire away from the metal ,and turnd on the lights and bingo, bright light again. I am going to put some of that liquid insulation over the bare metal and need to get one of those rubber insulators if I can find one. At least I solved a nagging problem.

powerwagontim · Post by **powerwagontim** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:25 am

Hi Nick,
I am suprised the 12 volt sealed beams didnt just blow when the 24 volts hit them. I know that 6 volt bulbs will glow real bright for about a second when 12 volts go in. Good you found the short, things can get nasty when you have contact like that.
Tim

HingsingM37 · Post by **HingsingM37** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:28 am

Nick,

Glad you found your problem.

Any automotive electrical parts supplier should carry rubber grommets. Check out www.terminalsupplyco.com. Search "grommets" They will have what you need. You can put some wire loom over the headlight wires as well to protect them.
Are your headlamps fed off a 12VDC feed? I can't see a 12 volt lamp lasting in a 24VDC circuit? My truck had a combo of 12 &24volt stuff when I got it. it was a real mess.

Nickathome · Post by **Nickathome** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 3:53 am

HingsingM37 wrote:Nick,

Glad you found your problem.
Any automotive electrical parts supplier should carry rubber grommets. Check out www.terminalsupplyco.com. Search "grommets" They will have what you need. You can put some wire loom over the headlight wires as well to protect them.
Are your headlamps fed off a 12VDC feed? I can't see a 12 volt lamp lasting in a 24VDC circuit? My truck had a combo of 12 &24volt stuff when I got it. it was a real mess.

All I know is I've driven at night many times and the lights worked fine. Not as bright as normal headlights but they worked until the one went dim on me. There is a wire that comes off the positive of one of the batteries and I remember when I removed it one time ot see what it went to, the lights wouldn't work. I'm thinking that somehow somebody rigged these lights to only pull 12 volts, maybe a resistor in the line somewhere but I've not been able to locate anything of the sort.

BTW - You've given me an idea about the grommets. I have a few leftover from my heater project, that I may be able to get to fit the opening where the wires come through. I'll have to split the grommet to get the wiring through but it will work. Won't look original though but who's gonna see it but me anyway...If not, I will hit the hardware store for the appropriate size.

Carter · Post by **Carter** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 9:18 am

Nick, if these are what you are looking for I got them from John Bizal at Midwest Military, can't remember exactly what they cost but I think they were a couple of $ each. They are soft rubber, already split and easy to install on the wires.

Nickathome · Post by **Nickathome** » Thu Jun 11, 2009 2:28 am

Carter;

Yeah that looks similar to the one on the other headlight. Would definitely work.

Finally solved headlight problem...

Finally solved headlight problem...

Grommets