So, I posted on here awhile ago about how my headlights, my guage lights and the light underneath the dashboard would flicker on and off repeatedly. Most of you said that it was probably my headlight switch and I talked it over with someone who is keen on classics and he agreed, so I went out and bought one. Unfortunately, the flicker still happens. Everytime it flickers you can here a crackle or popping noise.. very discouraging. Anyone else have any ideas? It's obviously a short somewhere, but do any of you have any background on fixing these kinds of issues? ANY HELP AT ALL would be GREATLY appreciated!! Thanks!

 

Anything? [:'(]

 

a crackle and pop....unless its coming through the speakers, would indicate a hot wire touching ground

My only suggestion is to go out at night and make the inside of the car as dark as possible and when it makes the popping sound stick your head under the dash or near where you think its coming form and watch for sparks.

once you find the sparks just tape up whatever loose wire is touching the ground and it should be fixed.

Why its not blowing a fuse I have no idea.

Gun

 

If I unscrew the instrumental gauge will I be able to see down onto the headlight starter and stuff? Because I couldn't find a way to unscrew the bottom of the dash place so I had to do everything without being able to see it.. which made it EXTREMELY difficult. I have the Ford Factory Manual and it says something about unscrewing a mounting bolt but shows no picture of it and the new one I bought shows no signs of where it would be.. so I pretty much just have a new headlight switch dangling under my dash near the clutch pedal right now.

 

you must have a 68 or 69 or something like that because I dont really know what your talking about.

on my 66 I can stick my head down by the floor pans and see all the crap hidden by the dash.

Can you pull the instrument cluster out?

Can you mirror a corner and see what the dash hides?

The light from the sparks should be very visible in the dark if it is indeed making a popping sound.

-Gun

 

Naw I have a '65.. maybe I should take some pictures for you to see. Lol, anyway, I'll take some tomorrow and definitely show you. Thanks for your help though!

 

OK, they are several locations that this problem can happen. The popping-cracking noise is a give a away where to look. Turn the lights in the garage out and see if you see where the arking is. Its fairly certain that its a loose conection or ground of somekind. Usually if its a dead ground in a hot wire, a fuse will blow if they haven't been bypassed. The fuse panel, connections, ground ring terminals, loose fuses, loose connectors behind the fuse panel. As far as the grounds, your headlights and dash lights should ground at different locations. I would look again for a loose supply (hot) wire. Try the dark garage and see if you can find it. Also, you may wiggle things a little to encourge the problem to happen while you look.

 

If you have a 65 pulling the instrument cluster out just a little ways should be cake.

Its held in by a few screws around the outside just take them out and you should be able to retract the cluster out a few inches. Unscrewing the speedo cable from the speedo will get you another 3 inches of clearance if you feel you need it.

Then black out the garage and see if you can see any sparks.

-Gun