having some trouble with this can you help?

[Dom2705]

hi guys, im having a bit of a fun time trying to figure out why my lights shut off in drive gear. i turn on my headlights and rev past 1200rpm and all the lights shut off, i mean all!!! its driving me bananas i cant seem to figure out why ive checked bulbs and connections and nothing. and it only does this in drive!! no other gear, not park neutral, or reverse just in drive if anyone has any suggestions they would be greatly appreciated thanks guys! /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" /> :-"

 

[Justshootme84]

Sounds like a bad alternator or voltage regulator. I think the VR on your 82 is external to the alt, and mounted on the firewall top-center. For future refrence, put some specs of your rig like year model, engine, etc. in you signature, JSM84

 

[BroncoJoe19]

I'm guessing that the headlight switch is not on a fuse, but rather is on a fuesable link. Perhaps when you move your shift lever: the linkage from it, to the trans, stresses the wiring harness a little bit, and separates the fuseable link, or a broken wire.

Perhaps your throttle linkage is doing the same thing, or a combination of both.

 

[miesk5]

yo

When the hd lights go out do other lights and accessories such as da; dash lights, dome - radio also go out?

And does engine run ok when lights out?

What our pals JSM and Joe advised is correcto-mongo, based on all above..the VR is separate from da Alt in that year and there are fus links in da hd light ckt

Snow here so I'll post up now and add wiring diagrams later in case we lose power..again

 

[Seabronc]

Is there anything that doesn't go off? The reason for asking that question is to help you use the diagrams I'm attaching more effectively. A volt meter may be needed to do a better job of trouble shooting.

 

[miesk5]

more;

"...The problem with the old girl is that over time the resistance in the wiring increases and caused blown fuses, relays, switches and can cause the wiring to burn.

There is a company called "Painless Wiring". They produce wiring harnesses' for many vehicles and some universal applications.

They provide the complete harness, switch, relay, fuse etc.

The wire they use is same as factory (silicone jacketed to resist heat) and covered with high temp convoluted tubing.

These systems are used in custom vehicles and racing applications.

www.painlessperformance.com

It is especially important to get a good wiring system ..." By mmprince4000

 

[Dom2705]

wow thanks for the help guys i really appreciate it from visually investigating i've found my truck to have the VR mounted to the back of the alternator im gonna check it out right now and see if thats what the prob is, but still need to rule out everything else..on the bronco when the lights cut off its all the lights the interior lights as well and only in drive which i find very odd i mean why not in reverse or idle idk...oh yes also i just noticed that when i turn on my headlights i can hear the engine rpm fluxuate or increase or decrease by about 50rpm or maybe more :-" anymore suggestions or help will be greatly appreciated guys thanks

my trucks wiring may be mix matched with trucks from different years i had to buy an ICM for an 83 canadian bronco i dont know why i just assumed it was the same, my wiring could range from 82-86 wow im in for it huh fellas? im assuming it was one if not the main demise of this truck as to why it was cheap to aquire lol but i still love it!

 

[Justshootme84]

You can have the alterenator tested forfree at the local AutoZone, O"reilly's or other parts store. Some may want you to remove it from the vehicle to test it inside the store. They can also check your charging system and battery. There are a couple things you can also try. After running for a few minutes or when this problem arises, turn off the motor. Feel the back of the alt for a flat, circular spot about the size of a nickel. This will be quite warm or even hot to the touch ( be careful not to burn your finger) if the stator is bad. The other thing you can do on older, non-computer controlled/ carbed engines is to remove the positive battery cable while the engine is running. If the alt is bad or not charging the engine will die. Don't do this on an EFI motor as you run the risk of frying the ECM. It will not hurt the ignition control module (ICM).

Last thing I can think of is to look underneath the cab or tub area, where the shift linkage from the steering column rest up under the floor. On my 84 Bronco, there were a couple of wires that got pinched against the body when the tranny was shifted into a certain position.. Just check thatthere aren't any wires in contact with your shift linkage. JSM84

 

[BroncoJoe19]

Last thing I can think of is to look underneath the cab or tub area, where the shift linkage from the steering column rest up under the floor. On my 84 Bronco, there were a couple of wires that got pinched against the body when the tranny was shifted into a certain position.. Just check thatthere aren't any wires in contact with your shift linkage. JSM84

I agree with this. Something along these lines is the only thing that would make sense that it only happens with the shift lever in drive.

Alternator, and VR should not be affected regardless of what the trans is doing.

 

[Justshootme84]

The reason I suspect the alt is at fault is that the problem occurs in Dirve, while the engine is under load and at RPM's above idle.

 

[BroncoJoe19]

Wow JSM, this may be the first time I ever disagreed with you. I believe that if he has a battery in the truck, that the headlights will continue to light, even if he removed the alternator.

IF the alternator were to somehow create such a heavy drain that it would **** the headlights, it would **** the truck too.

It really sounds like a mechanical issue that is affecting the wiring somewhere. Pehaps he has a loose engine mount, that when under load the engine shifts a little pinching the harness. I missed the fact that he stated that it only occured in conjunction with 1200 RPMS (I guess or more).

Question... do the lights come back on when you take it out of drive?

 

[Justshootme84]

I ran across some info today that leads me to believe the problem is in the headlight switch itself, and just replacing it should solve this.

 

[miesk5]

Hey JSM!

Thanks for bringing that up! I looked thru my site a few times looking for info on the HL Switch; in da back of my shrinking brain, I felt that I had read something on the switch but couldn't find it there. I lost the following due to a HOST Server company's *****-up in JAN 2008;

Switch Fires, Part Number SW-2103: "...Over the past two years, this office has experienced fires caused by another potential problem in Ford vehicles. The problem exists within the dimmer portion of the headlight switch in Ford vehicles. The light switch involved is a Model SW-2103. These are the pull out type headlight switches usually located in the lower left corner of the front dash of Ford vehicles. The headlight portion of the switch has two pullout positions, the first for parking lights only, and fully out for headlights and parking lights. The shaft of this pull-out light switch can be turned clockwise and counterclockwise which activates a dimmer switch, lowering and raising the intensity of the lighting in the instrument panels respectively. Fully rotating the shaft counterclockwise past a notch activates the interior lights within the vehicles. The potential problem exists within the dimmer portion of this switch. The dimmer mechanism consists of a metallic resistive coil set inside a ceramic disc positioned over the shaft of the switch. The coil is exposed on its front side away from the passenger compartment. The front side of the coil passes across a contact permitting a current to flow through a certain portion of the coil when the switch is pulled our in its first or second positions. The greater amount of coil through which the current is permitted to pass (clockwise most position) creates the greatest resistance and therefore dims the dash lighting to its lowest intensity. The opposite position provides greatest intensity. Through our investigations, we have found that the coil can fail owing to wear and/or possible material defects or damage. A fractured coil can maneuver itself free of the ceramic disc permitting it to come in contact with the metal bracket which mounts and grounds the switch to the vehicle. When this occurs, a current can flow through a portion of the coil creating high temperatures melting the metal material of the coil and possibly igniting surrounding combustibles. This mechanism has been observed in three separate incidents by this office. Two of these resulted in a fire. The mechanism is precipitated by wear and/or defect in the coil mechanism. If the former is true, we expect there will be an increase in fires caused through this mechanism given an increase in service time. To this date the problem appears to be somewhat limited. However, this particular light switch has been utilized in numerous Ford vehicles. Therefore, a small increase in failure rate owing to age and wear could result in a significant increase in fire losses. The SW-2103 Light Switch Assembly discussed above is reportedly installed in the following Ford vehicles: 1986 -1997 F100, F150, F300; 1990-1994 Explorer; 1987-1994 Ranger; 1987-1990 Bronco II; 1992-1997 Aerostar..." Miesk5 NOTE: No Bronco Listed, but this may be the result of typos or incomplete research by the company.

by waltersforensic.com

Of course, the year is off, but maybe a prev owner or shop installed the SW-2103 part #?

Mainly bec of this quick Google of SW-2103;

Motorcraft Headlight Switch SW2103

Price: List Price: $19.87

Your Price: $17.88

Order may qualify for FREE Shipping- Details

Our Part Number: W83 SW2103

Headlight Switch

Manufacturer Number: Motorcraft SW2103

& http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1987-1990-1996-Ford-F-truck-Bronco-NOS-headlamp-switch_W0QQitemZ130365766409QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20100209?IMSfp=TL100209171012r8338

etc.

http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/cgi-bin/ryderfp/products/srm/oid/55295/pn/Headlight-Switch/erm/product_detail.jsp