Classic/Antique Car Repair/headlights blink

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Expert: - 7/18/2008


Question
I have a 56 Chevy 4 door wagon with a small block chevy engine. The front wiring harness is recent (not by me). The headlights occasionally blink on/off. It seems that they do it after being on a while. I was thinking a ground wire however I have not found any obvious issues (all tight, no cuts,etc). I am not an electrically inclined person. Any thoughts are appreciated.

Answer
Have you upgraded the headlight like changing them to halogen bulbs? Check the lenses and see what they say. The halogen bulbs draw more current that the origonal 1956 bulbs. As a result there is a circuit breaker in the headlight switch that will trip. The best cure that I have found is to have a relay added to the headlight circuit.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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