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  •  » Headlight and Ignition Switch

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    11/10/2020 6:09 PM  #1

    Triton
    FYI Addict

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    From: Rosenberg, Texas
    Registered: 6/24/2014
    Posts: 146

    Headlight and Ignition Switch

    What is the best headlight and ignition switch to buy and where from? I started my car today and the headlights cam on with the switch off. Then I pulled out the headlight switch and turned off the ignition and the car kept running. No telling how old my switches are, probably both needs replacing or they may be cheap ones. I don't know

    1965 Notchback, 8.8 rear end, T-5, Diy Front Struts, Shelby Drop, Bumpsteer Kit
     

    11/10/2020 6:24 PM  #2

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,855

    Re: Headlight and Ignition Switch

    I bought a replacement at NAPA a loooooooooong time ago. Took it back because the stock one was OK...it was some other problem.  AFAIK the head light switch in my 66 is..................original. I would take your switch out and closely examine it. Sometimes the original stuff is just better than any after market.
    Ignition switch gets a LOT more wear than a HL switch too.
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    11/10/2020 7:13 PM  #3

    BillyC
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Chesapeake, Va.
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 966

    Re: Headlight and Ignition Switch

    I replaced my ignition switch with one from Advance Auto years ago. I’ve had no issues.

    "anyone that stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty"Henry Ford
     

    11/11/2020 6:24 AM  #4

    wsinsle
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Belle Vernon, PA
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,703

    Re: Headlight and Ignition Switch

    What year car?
    Have you did any other wiring lately? Like upgrade head lights?
    Is wiring all stock?
    When you turned the lights off with the ignition off, did the car shut off?
    I don't see any relationship between the two. 
     

    If this forum can't fix it, it isn't broke.
     

    11/11/2020 11:21 AM  #5

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 2,650

    Re: Headlight and Ignition Switch

    As others have suggested, I'd first suspect a wiring issue, and to check that first.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    11/11/2020 4:47 PM  #6

    Triton
    FYI Addict

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    From: Rosenberg, Texas
    Registered: 6/24/2014
    Posts: 146

    Re: Headlight and Ignition Switch

    Ok I'm going to check the ignition switch, it's a 65. The car won't turn off with the headlight on

    1965 Notchback, 8.8 rear end, T-5, Diy Front Struts, Shelby Drop, Bumpsteer Kit
       •Thread Starter
     

    11/12/2020 10:55 AM  #7

    BobE
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    From: White Plains, NY
    Registered: 4/04/2013
    Posts: 2,650

    Re: Headlight and Ignition Switch

    Triton wrote:

    Ok I'm going to check the ignition switch, it's a 65. The car won't turn off with the headlight on

    Just to note ... the ignition wiring goes through the bulkhead connector that is in the middle of the firewall, and the headlight wiring goes through the bulkhead connector by the master cylinder.  There is one wire from the ignition switch (it goes to the alternator's regulator) that also passes through the bulkhead connector by the master cylinder.
    If the car shuts off by turning off the lights, I check to see if a short exists between thee two wires.

    65 Fastback, 351W, 5-speed, 4 wheel discs, 9" rear,  R&C Front End.
     

    11/12/2020 11:08 AM  #8

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,855

    Re: Headlight and Ignition Switch

    BobE wrote:

    Triton wrote:

    Ok I'm going to check the ignition switch, it's a 65. The car won't turn off with the headlight on

    Just to note ... the ignition wiring goes through the bulkhead connector that is in the middle of the firewall, and the headlight wiring goes through the bulkhead connector by the master cylinder.  There is one wire from the ignition switch (it goes to the alternator's regulator) that also passes through the bulkhead connector by the master cylinder.
    If the car shuts off by turning off the lights, I check to see if a short exists between thee two wires.

     (Great info!!)
    6s6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    11/12/2020 12:56 PM  #9

    wsinsle
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Belle Vernon, PA
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,703

    Re: Headlight and Ignition Switch

    6sally6 wrote:

    BobE wrote:

    Triton wrote:

    Ok I'm going to check the ignition switch, it's a 65. The car won't turn off with the headlight on

    Just to note ... the ignition wiring goes through the bulkhead connector that is in the middle of the firewall, and the headlight wiring goes through the bulkhead connector by the master cylinder.  There is one wire from the ignition switch (it goes to the alternator's regulator) that also passes through the bulkhead connector by the master cylinder.
    If the car shuts off by turning off the lights, I check to see if a short exists between thee two wires.

     (Great info!!)
    6s6

    Yea I couldn't see any relationship between a bad switch and something like this happening but I bet you hit the nail on the head Bob. 

    If this forum can't fix it, it isn't broke.
     

    11/12/2020 7:44 PM  #10

    wsinsle
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Belle Vernon, PA
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,703

    Re: Headlight and Ignition Switch

    Looking over some prints today I'd be curious to see when you turn the key to run and the head lights go on; hit the hi/low beam switch, do they go off?

    If this forum can't fix it, it isn't broke.
     

     

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