85 ranger high beam issue

[JustinM]

I just bought an 85 ranger and drove it for the first time tonight. The low beams seem to be working fine but they aren’t very bright so while I was driving I switched to the high beams and they came on and lit the road a heck of a lot better. However, after about a minute of driving with the high beams on both headlights cut off completely, scared the crap out of me cause There are no street lights on the roads where I live. I could switch back to low beams and they would come back on. It seems like something is getting too hot with the high beams on or there is a short somewhere. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[RonD]

Low beams are off when High beams are on, just FYI

Yes, it could be the main light switch connections are heating up, or the contact in the Multi-function switch(turn signal stalk) for the High beams

The main light switch would be my guess, but multi-function switch is close 2nd

 

[bobbywalter]

with these old trucks there is a main lug that is a spade that feeds the system.


i run a set of relays as close to the headlights and batteries as possible(with current engine right from alternator lug) to feed the headlights with and trigger them with the original wiring...10 g to the power side of the relay and 12 to the load side.

really brightens up the standard glass lights enough to warrant the effort.

 

[adsm08]

with these old trucks there is a main lug that is a spade that feeds the system.


i run a set of relays as close to the headlights and batteries as possible(with current engine right from alternator lug) to feed the headlights with and trigger them with the original wiring...10 g to the power side of the relay and 12 to the load side.

really brightens up the standard glass lights enough to warrant the effort.

I need to do this soon. I put Sylvania ZXEs in and my last three dimmer switches have died from heat.