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headlights

Morning Guys, heading to work the other morning and all of a sudden my headlights started blinking off and on, off and on, off and on. I turned them off then back on , tried wiggling the switch a little but didn't help. It wasn't because of bumps in road either cuz when i got to work i just sat there and they would flicker on and off. Anyone have this problem before or have any ideas?

Thanks, Joe
88 sport,TW heads, comp xe270hr, cobra u/Tmoss ported lower, 65 mm throttle body, under drives,smog delete,
1.7 roller rockers, cai, k&n, bbk adj regulator, 76mm Pro-m,all MSD ign. MSD dist,18° base timing, 3g alt.1 5/8 ceramic headers, 255lph walbro, 2.5" h-pipe, flowmasters, silverfox valvebody, 3.73 gear,
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/flipnbird/DSCF0185.jpg ( RIP : ( )

headlights

Reply #1 –
Sounds like the switch itself is dying/dead and you need a new one.

headlights

Reply #2 –
I agree, sounds like a headlight switch going bad.  I would (and did) install headlight relays to take the load off the switch.  It is not too difficult and you get brighter headlights.  I bought a harness from RJM Injection but it looks like they might be out of business.  It wouldn't be hard to make one though.
1986 Mercury Cougar - 2.3T/T5 swap, TC brakes and suspension and rearend, 3" exhaust, 255 lph fuel pump, Stinger BOV, Gillis MBC @ 18 psi
2003 Chevy Suburban Z71 - Daily driver
2015 Chevy Volt - Wife's daily driver

headlights

Reply #3 –
There are two tiny hex head self tapping screws which attach two small ground wires to the radiator support frame. Check them and make sure they are tight.  This happened to me years back, and that's all it turned out to be ( after hours of investigating).

It's worth the two seconds to check both of them!

headlights

Reply #4 –
The headlight switch has a built-in circuit breaker. When the breaker gets too hot it opens up, when it cools it closes.This is why the lights are turning on and off.
1. The contacts in the switch can be overheating and the heat is transferring to the circuit breaker.
2. The cable connector to the switch can be overheating and the heat is transferring to the circuit breaker. Over heated wires will be obvious.
3. The headlights can be drawing too much current, causing the circuit breaker to overheat.

headlights

Reply #5 –
Use my Slave rel;ay MOD and your troubles are OVER forever
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

headlights

Reply #6 –
I had the same issue with my 88 TC.  I used this pre-configured relay harness.  Yes it cost a little bit, but the quality is excellent and everything just plugged right in and worked with no issues.  My headlights stopped flashing on and off immediately.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/330596255628?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I can even keep my driving lights on now with no issues.

Go Fast the first time.  The tickets the same.
86 Thunderbird 5.0.  All original good weather driver. Tbird Reg #53035
86 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather driver.  Tbird Reg # 58555
87 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather daily driver.  Tbird Reg # 64647

headlights

Reply #7 –
Thanks guys for all your responses, think I'm gonna get that harness from above and hopefully take care of the flashing.........
@ My10-80, did that harness come with directions on how to hook it up?
88 sport,TW heads, comp xe270hr, cobra u/Tmoss ported lower, 65 mm throttle body, under drives,smog delete,
1.7 roller rockers, cai, k&n, bbk adj regulator, 76mm Pro-m,all MSD ign. MSD dist,18° base timing, 3g alt.1 5/8 ceramic headers, 255lph walbro, 2.5" h-pipe, flowmasters, silverfox valvebody, 3.73 gear,
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/flipnbird/DSCF0185.jpg ( RIP : ( )

headlights

Reply #8 –
Quote from: flipnbird;440682
Thanks guys for all your responses, think I'm gonna get that harness from above and hopefully take care of the flashing.........
@ My10-80, did that harness come with directions on how to hook it up?

Yes it does.  But truthfully, it is an easy install.  I mounted my relays to an existing screw just by the battery.  You have two positive leads that attach directly to the battery, Two ground leads which I used the existing ground screws at each side by the headlights.    You then unplug each of the headlight plugs from the back of the bulbs.  The passenger side is not used so I taped it up to keep it clean.  The new plugs from the relays go directly to the back of the headlights and the drivers side original plug is used to plug into the harness for power from the headlight switch.  Other than routing the wire for appearance it was that easy.  Only issue was it created a "headlight out" warning on my information display in the center counsel.  I personally have ignored the light as I know why it is on and haven't taken the time to remove the bulb for it.  I asked on the forum and suggestions were offered about how to fool the system but I'm not that tech savvy.  But the relays did work as they needed to.  My headlights quit flashing.

Go Fast the first time.  The tickets the same.
86 Thunderbird 5.0.  All original good weather driver. Tbird Reg #53035
86 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather driver.  Tbird Reg # 58555
87 Thunderbird TC.  All original good weather daily driver.  Tbird Reg # 64647

headlights

Reply #9 –
Thank You Sir, piece of cake!! .........:)
88 sport,TW heads, comp xe270hr, cobra u/Tmoss ported lower, 65 mm throttle body, under drives,smog delete,
1.7 roller rockers, cai, k&n, bbk adj regulator, 76mm Pro-m,all MSD ign. MSD dist,18° base timing, 3g alt.1 5/8 ceramic headers, 255lph walbro, 2.5" h-pipe, flowmasters, silverfox valvebody, 3.73 gear,
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc154/flipnbird/DSCF0185.jpg ( RIP : ( )

headlights

Reply #10 –
I understand the KIT. It makes it easy for instillation but i would never use one. To much clutter and like posted 2 more wires going to the battery. That is not how we do things in my shop. But it is quick and dirty fix that works. Also every build we do includes barrery moved to the TRUNK. Just me.
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

headlights

Reply #11 –
Quote from: TOM Renzo;440673
Use my Slave rel;ay MOD and your troubles are OVER forever

Tom, can you elaborate please?
-- 05 Mustang GT-Whipplecharged !!
--87 5.0 Trick Flow Heads & Intake - Custom Cam - Many other goodies...3100Lbs...Low12's!

headlights

Reply #12 –
Quote from: TOM Renzo;440673
Use my Slave rel;ay MOD and your troubles are OVER forever

And you choose now to be vague? Come on Tom! Give us some details and some pics! I would like to do this mod before I encounter problems, and would like to see how you do it. Please include part #s.

headlights

Reply #14 –
Quote from: TheFoeYouKnow;440768
Screw pics.  If a pic is worth a thousand words, talk is still cheap.  Diagrams.  Diagrams have built civilizations.

Not to disagree. Giving my past with Tom on this site, I feel that my request was already pushing it. With some pics as guidance, I can find the appropriate diagrams to go with it. I don't wish to present myself as a total prick to Tom or you or anyone else on this site.

Tom, we have had plenty of disagreements in the past and would like you to know, even with our disagreements, I still value your input. You have made a great change here, and I support that change. I am trying to evaluate my input as well, so that I help the site and not hurt it. I have noticed that my posts are being ignored much of the time, and I feel that it is because of what has happened between the two of us. We both caused a major decline in the members here and that must stop. If you would please, I would like to start anew.