Have a question my father in law has a stock 38 sedan & it's still a 6 volt ! I ordered him some hologine head lights of E bay both head lights have power but one is bright one is super dim switched lights & it's the wiring not the light does any one no what could be causing the driver side to be sending such a week current to one side & not the other ! Is it just do to being a 6 volt system ? Thanks
Great looking car! It sounds like you have a grounding problem. Welcome to the HAMB, great place for lot's of good car info!
halogen on 6 volts is lame, you have ground problem. but switch car to 12 volt - ground you will be happy
The problem is probably in the grounds as others have noted. Start looking there. Six volt systems are affected a lot more if there are poor grounds. Did the car get a good coat of paint before assembly, that may be the cause of your ground problem (headlight buckets insulated from fender). Some people actually run a separate ground wire when they cannot locate/solve the problem but you should be able to find it. Although not part of your current problem be sure the battery cables are designed for 6 volts and not new cables from the local auto parts store designed for 12 volts. The old 6 volt cables are heavier. If the starter cranks the car slowly the cables are probably the problem. If it turns out not to be a ground problem here is a schematic that will help you trace the wires: http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/FH_images/FH_electrical-pics/Flathead_Electrical_wiring1938.jpg Actually the car is a coupe, not a sedan (assuming you are talking about the one in the picture in the first post). Be sure to also visit fordbarn.com. Charlie Stephens
A quick way to confirm that your problem is with bad grounds is to run a piece of wire from the ground side of the battery and touch it to the grounded part of the headlight socket. If the light gets bright you know where to start looking. Charlie Stephens
When you have fixed the grounding issue can you please post up a ton more photos of your gorgeous coupe, oh and welcome also JW
The coupe is 12 volt it's mine the 6 volt is my father in laws car & yes it was the ground thank you every one ! Should've none it was because of a repaint the head light bucket wasn't getting a good ground ! Here's the car again thanks for all the advice & kind words about my 38 coupe !
Welcome, Glad the brain trust helped you out. Both yours and your in-law's cars are very nice. More photos would be welcome.
Two nice looking cars you have there. The green color on the sedan is really nice. Would like to see more photos of both cars. 6 volts is plenty if you set them up right. No need to switch to 12v providing all is correct.
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