OK, so I've upgraded the stock lamps in my 88 with Sylvania's
Silver star ultras. Night driving got a lot better until the shut down...
Never had this issue with my 85. Anyone else run into this problem???
Also as of last night, the low beams started acting up 😕
You need to run relays on your headlights. The headlight switches in these cars carry the full load of the high & low beams, and were barely adequate when new. Running relays takes the current away from the switch and shortens the physical distance the high current wires must carry, which will result in a bonus: Brighter headlights (even stock bulbs)!
just bought a 1988 t-bird, is there a true hi-beam switch?
Yes, the "hi-beam" switch is on the turn signal pod--just pull towards the steering wheel to turn on or off. As far as headlights going off at random times, that's a classic sign the switch on the dash is going out. The switch isn't designed to carry very high amperage (current), especially after years of service. There's way too much going through the switch...
The relay described above is fairly simple to do (search for instructions, diagrams), and a huge upgrade for safety and reliability of the headlights. BTW, this problem is not new--both my 67 (former) and 66 (current) Mustangs had the random switch cutoff as well, solved by replacing the switch and upgrading the wiring by relays.
Daniel
These cars also have flash to pass, which is kind of nice
Do a search, this has come up multiple times and there are a couple of really good write ups on how to address it like Thunder Chicken suggested.
Darren