headlight switch wiring

Discussion in '1947-1954' started by denisf, Jul 9, 2017.

  1. denisf

    denisf Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    Messages:
    364
    Location:
    Colchester, CT/ Clermont, FL
    Looking for guidance/diagram for wiring the headlight switch. Would love to have a diagram like the one I found for a 55 attached?
     

    Attached Files:

  2. coilover

    coilover Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2005
    Messages:
    2,564
    Location:
    Plano US
    Not high tech enough to do a drawing but HL switch is very straight forward. Wire from ammeter to "BAT" terminal on switch, head light wire from switch to dimmer switch, "T" or "TL" wire to tail lights AND instrument lights, "P" or "PK" to park lights. There is a wire from the high beam terminal on the dimmer switch back up to the high beam indicator light in the speedometer face. Your done. What confuses some is the head light wire does NOT run to the head lights but rather to the dimmer switch. If your switch has a rheostat to dim the instrument lights, and most do, then a wire from the "TL" terminal is run to one side of the rheostat and from the other side to the instrument panel. You should have a switch on the dome light on this truck but if controlled from the HL switch there is a terminal on the Rheostat that energizes when the switch stem is rotated all the way clockwise and this turns on the dome light. Most dome light wires hook to the switch "BAT" terminal so light can be turned on at any time.
     
  3. DeadZoneTruckin

    DeadZoneTruckin Member

    Joined:
    Apr 17, 2010
    Messages:
    626
    47-55.1 switch diagram headlight switch.jpg












    .
     
  4. denisf

    denisf Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    Messages:
    364
    Location:
    Colchester, CT/ Clermont, FL
     
  5. denisf

    denisf Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    Messages:
    364
    Location:
    Colchester, CT/ Clermont, FL
    This is great. So on the switch the terminals are labeled? Ie bat, p, etc
     
  6. denisf

    denisf Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    Messages:
    364
    Location:
    Colchester, CT/ Clermont, FL

    Thanks, this is helpful. Two questions. 1. I assume the terminals on the switch are labeled, i.e., P, TL, etc.? 2. Rheostat, I know what they are but I am not sure I know where it is or what it looks like, will have to go snooping in the dash, I assume.
     
  7. denisf

    denisf Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    Messages:
    364
    Location:
    Colchester, CT/ Clermont, FL
     

    Attached Files:

  8. denisf

    denisf Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    Messages:
    364
    Location:
    Colchester, CT/ Clermont, FL
    Ok a bit slow, I get now, correct if wrong, the rheostat is in the light switch, I assume turning the knob activates it. Thanks again for all your help.
     

Share This Page