| Author | Message | ||
| Russell Beam (Rcbeam)
Registered Member Username: Rcbeam Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 74.131.50.239  Rating: N/A |
When I bought my MC8, the headlights did not agree with the dash HI BEAM light. It was opposite. Now that I'm actually working on the bus fixing things, I looked at the headlamps today and everything looks in good shape and original to me, except for the MCI kit that was installed to convert to 12v. Bus was originally a hound. Nothing looks jerry rigged to me, so I'm not sure where to start... think maybe the dimmer switch is bad? | ||
| George M. Todd (George_todd)
Registered Member Username: George_todd Post Number: 1080 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 99.56.240.204 Rating: N/A |
Russ, It will not be your dimmer switch, especially if you are sure that the lights themselves work properly, and are aimed properly. (The pattern on the road looks like they're on high or low because of improper aiming?) The repair MAY be as simple as moving one wire in the front junction box. It sounds like a wiring error in the voltage changeover. The indicator light itself may still be 24V. HTH, G | ||
| L James Jones Jr (Jamo)
Registered Member Username: Jamo Post Number: 152 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 74.79.237.141  Rating: N/A |
On my '97 E-Superduty I had the exact same problem. I gave up on it and got used to it. The rig is now my work truck, but was a county owned handicap shuttlebus. Anyway, I was doing some work on her and it required removing the dash panel & gauges, which was powered by a single plug. When I replaced everything & plugged the gauge set back in, everything was normal...with the high beam indicator anyway. Something's still screwy though. If I leave my headlights on, the radio stays on, even with the ignition switch shut off. When I bought the thing, I asked the maint crew if I could have the service records. They laughed and said something about "what service & what records?". I found their work to be as bad as their humor. Guess I could have said "check the plug" and avoided all this other nonsense, eh? Good luck... | ||
| Russell Beam (Rcbeam)
Registered Member Username: Rcbeam Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 72.250.169.58 Rating: N/A |
George: The lights work like they should. Two outer bulbs on for low beam, and all four on for hi beam. I guess I'll need to study the schematics and look in the drivers wiring compartment to see what I can trace down. I can, of course, leave it like it is, but I just want stuff as right as I can make it. | ||
| George M. Todd (George_todd)
Registered Member Username: George_todd Post Number: 1082 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 99.56.240.204 Rating: N/A |
Essentially no "plugs" on an MC8, but ring terminals make it easier to troubleshoot. I would look at the terminals on the dimmer switch itself, there will be power in on one wire, and probably hi and lo out on two wires, one to each side. A third wire on one terminal will be the hi beam indicator. Happy hunting! G | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1204 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 173.202.47.180  Rating: |
I agree with George, it is easy to get the hi/lo switch wires reversed. The switch doesn't care which wire is connected, it just goes back and forth. Your indicator wire ended up on the wrong terminal. |
