1982 Ford Bronco HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND LIGHTS

82BRONCO

MEMBER
1982 FORD BRONCO

Electrical problem
1982 Ford Bronco V8 Four Wheel Drive Manual 400K miles

TWO ISSUES: I HAVE RECENTLY REPLACED THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH THREE TIMES, INCLUDING A FOMOCO SWITCH LAST. SWITCH HAS TO BE IN A PERFECT POSITION (NOT IN THE PARKING OR HEADLIGHT POSITION) TO USE THE LIGHTS. ALSO, HEADLIGHTS GO OFF AFTER 30 MINUTES.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THE LAST THREE SWITCHES WON'T WORK IN THE CORRECT POSITION, UNLESS THE CONNECTOR THAT PLUGS INTO THE SWITCH HAS GONE BAD IN SOME WAY.

FOR THE HEADLIGHTS GOING OFF, I THINK THE PROBLEM IS USING MORE MODERN SEALED BEAM HEADLIGHTS, PLUS THE AGE OF THE BRONCO.

I WANT TO BYPASS THE STOCK SWITCH AND WIRING, INSTALL HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS, NEW SEPARATE SWITCH, AND A NEW WIRING HARNESS THAT DRAWS POWER DIRECTLY FROM THE BATTERY.

BASED ON THIS INFORMATION, WHAT DO YOU RECOMMEND?

I'VE HAD THE TRUCK FOR 25+ YEARS, AND AM QUITE GOOD IN MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS ON IT.

1 Reply

MMPRINCE4000

MECHANIC
8,548 POSTS

The problem with the old girl is that over time the resistance in the wiring increases and caused blown fuses, relays, switches and can cause the wiring to burn.

There is a company called "Painless Wiring". They produce wiring harnesses' for many vehicles and some universal applications.
They provide the complete harness, switch, relay, fuse etc.
The wire they use is same as factory (silicone jacketed to resist heat) and covered with high temp convoluted tubing.
These systems are used in custom vehicles and racing applications.

Www. Painlessperformance. Com

It is especially important to get a good wiring system since you plan to go to halogen lights.