Posts: 13
From:Frisco,Tx,USA
Registered: Nov 99

posted 03-09-2000 11:16 AM               

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We were driving around last night in our '79 Capri, and the dash lights started blinking in morse code. We thought the car was possed by radiomen. Any thoughts as how to get rid of them.

IP: 24.11.218.159

Posts: 637
From:Sioux City, Iowa
Registered: Oct 99

posted 03-09-2000 12:12 PM               

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wrere the headlights flashing too? i think you have a swich problem. the breaker in the healight sw will do this. as it heats up the breaker shuts them offt when it cools they come on. they may blink very fast.
Joe

IP: 63.66.78.129

Posts: 94
From:Lakewood, WA
Registered: Jun 99

posted 03-10-2000 03:36 AM               

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I had the problem with my '89 headlights going haywire. Turns out that the little bulb inside the switch heats up so much that it begins to melt the connections inside. I don't think your '79 switch is the same as my '89 was, but my solution was to wire my corner markers to my ignition, so that they were always on. (Ford runs their lighting wires through their stereo, and this is an easy way to fix problems when installing an aftermarket deck, as well.) I also broke the little bulb inside the switch, and after that there were no more problems.

IP: 204.201.210.244

Posts: 112
From:Shawnigan Lake, B.C., Canada
Registered: Mar 2000

posted 03-10-2000 12:45 PM               

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Brockjoe is correct about the switch. I have run across this problem in a number of 1979 vintage Ford products. From what I understand the 79 wiring systems were not designed to handle halogen headlights, and the extra draw causes the switch to overheat and trip a breaker built into the switch. You can replace the switch and that should cure the problem for a while. It will still probably burn out sooner than if you were running non-halogen headlights, but it should still last for quite a while. If you are still concerned, supposedly you can wire in a relay that will regulate the current going through the switch, preventing overheating. Any good electrical shop should be able to install this for minimal expense, if you are not to comfortable with wiring (like me! ).

Cheers,
Ian
http://79indypace.stangnet.com

IP: 142.36.212.116

Posts: 672
From:Lyons, ILL, USA
Registered: May 99

posted 03-13-2000 11:27 AM               

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It is your headlight switch. They are inexpensive. Also look at your wiring harness. If it is melted, like some are prone to do, they are available from your local dealer. They are easy to install. Its basically a unplug and plug in for the switch. The only little bear of a problem is getting the stem out of the switch. Using a small flat bleds screwdriver or 2 you have to release the stem from inside the switch. then it will all come apart.

I might have some info on your capri very soon. Been in contact with Ford motor company people about it and they told me give them a few more weeks to work on it!

Tony.

IP: 209.240.200.103