The headlights on my '64 will go on and off for no reason. Only the headlights and the bright indicator flicker. Only seems to do it when the engine is hot,I can bang on the dash and the lights will come on only to go off a few moments later. If I turn the lights off for a few minutes and turn them back on I can seem to go for awhile before it happens again.

I was just wondering if anyone has seen this before? I'm not sure if it is a grounding issue or a light switch problem. I can't find a place in the schematics where a loose ground would cause both sides of the headlights and the indicator to go off at the same time. Thats what makes me think it is the light switch itself.

Any help is appreciated,
Ken Bahr

Hi Ken.

I have a 64 convertible that I had something simalar happen. When I had the bright lights on they would only stay on for about tow minutes and then all my head lights would go out. I can't remember aobut the dash lights if they would stay one or go out also. I would turn off the lights for a couple of minutes and then turn on the lights again and they would work for a short time. It turned out to be a weak circuit breaker. I replace it and haven't had the problem again. Hope this gives you some food for thought.

Steve

I restored a 64 convertible in 1982. Also have a 1963 1/2 Galaxie 500XL that I hope to restore next year. My E-mail address is: Shorn3568@aol.com

Thanks, I'll try that first since it would probably be easier than pulling the dash apart. I'll post here if that resolves the problem.

Well it was not the circuit breaker in the fuse box but the one in the actual light switch itself. I changed out the circuit breaker in the fuse box but had the same problem, so I mounted a 12V fan above the light switch under the dash and went out for a night on the town, no flashing until I turned on the heat, I am gonna get a new light switch but unfortunately J Draxler thinks it's a ground problem and to track every wire from the light switch to the end of the circuit will take me awhile. But it will get done. The circuit breaker did need to be changed, it was rather dirty and had a acrid smell to it.

Thanks for the help,
Ken Bahr

Glad to here you have tracked down the prblem.

In the reading of the history of the 64 birds and there faults, electrical ranks as one of there highest. Lots of new gagets on the 64. I read an article about why in 65 they went to a mechanical brake switch rather then keep the pressure switch on the master that the 64's have. In 63 the birds had two tail light bulbs, one on either side. In 64 they now had six, three on either side. Ford retained the same wire system for the the tail and brake lites, not thinking that there was a lot more current draw and HEAT going through theses wires. On long down hill runs and the brakes were usesd alot the pressure brake switch on the master would heat up with all that current draw going through it. Sometimes the switch got so hot the seal would crack and brake fluid would leak out. consequently brake failure.

Aren't old cars fun?

Steve

I restored a 64 convertible in 1982. Also have a 1963 1/2 Galaxie 500XL that I hope to restore next year. My E-mail address is: Shorn3568@aol.com

Also had a similar problem, turned out to be the high beam switch. This was kind of simple to check. When the lights went out, I gave the button kind of a side ways tap with my shoe and the lights came back on. Changed out the switch, all was fine.

Good luck, Vince

i had the same prob in my 81 (maybe a connection to ur 64???) so i replaced both the dimmer switch and the headlight swich and no more problems after that