headlight CB

DocHornet
DocHornet Expert Adviser
edited November -1 in HUDSON
My headlights have been blinking intermittently, (1951 Hornet) at about 30-45 second intervals, accompanied by a click under the dash. I can only assume it is the headlight circuit breaker blowing and then resetting.

I'm wondering if I have some sort of a short in the system? I noted that the condition persists whether on high or low beams, so if a short exists, it would have to be between the headlight switch and the floor dimmer switch.

Has anyone had problems with these C.B.'s malfunctioning? Anyone know where I could get a replacement?

Comments

  • Park_W
    Park_W Senior Contributor
    What does it do when you have only parking lights on? If it cycles then as well, the short could be in the taillight circuit. Otherwise it would seem it's in the headlight wiring down to the dimmer switch. Or in the dimmer switch. I believe that CB is on the back side of the headlight switch, and it's possible the problem could be a bad switch. For example, the heat generated by bad contacts in the switch could cause the breaker to trip with less current than it normally takes to trip.
  • onerare39
    onerare39 Expert Adviser, Member
    I had the same thing happen in my 54. I thought it was a short...turned out to be too much resistance in the old wiring. Installed a new wiring harness (which it needed) and kept the old circuit breaker in place. Everything works great, and brighter lights too!

    John
  • RonS
    RonS Senior Contributor
    If your wiring is in overall good shape, bet the ranch that the 25amp circuit breaker in the headlight switch is too weak to carry the current. Napa sells them. FYI there is also another circuit breaker behind the dash above the column, I believe it is 20amp. I do recommend a headlight relay to be installed. The headlight switch gets very hot since all the current for the lights goes through it. That is the reason the cb trips. The bimetal switch actually wears out. Relay will prevent ever having a worn out CB again.
  • nick s
    nick s Senior Contributor
    Park W wrote:
    What does it do when you have only parking lights on? If it cycles then as well, the short could be in the taillight circuit.
    if you go chasing out the taillights keep in mind that the grille light is part of the taillight circuit.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories

In this Discussion