Re: 31 headlight connector

Posted by Greenfield On 2021/7/18 6:30:03

I finished my headlights yesterday on the 31 and wanted to convey some thoughts for the benefit of any future searches seeking knowledge on the same subject:

1. After searching high and low for replacement headlight plugs/parts specific to the CM Hall lights used on early 30's Packard, I couldn't find anyone that has anything in supply. Definitely retain the old electrical plugs off the harness cause you'll have to reuse them.
2. If you're missing the brass screws and electrical connectors in the plug, or they're wrong or stripped, I found Model A Ford used very similar brass bits for the 28-29 year and can be purchased cheap from any national supplier. If you use them, then prior to wiring anything make sure the brass connectors will fully insert into the plastic cylinder make sure Also, Model A Ford headlight bulbs enjoyed the same base and seem to work just fine, at a fraction of the price of what Packard distributors are selling.
3. When you're putting everything back together do bulb checks and circuit/continuity tests on the three circuits in the headlight buckets to determine if you have problems. I hooked a 6V lantern battery up to each of the circuits and grounded to bucket and made sure the bulb would glow before mounting to the car.
4. The cork gaskets on the buckets can easily be duplicated with 1/8 inch cork, a straight edge, and sharp razor. They only need to be 1/4 wide to fit right.
5. The male plug and female connector are each marked "1", "2", and "3". On mine, 1 was the depressed beam circuit, 2 was the low beam, and 3 was the high beam. This means you have to wire the harness to the plug correctly so that, when inserted, these circuits line up with the 1, 2, and 3 circuits on the female side. Also, you have to recognize where the 1 position is on the female side, so that you insert the plug it lines up correctly. You could be 180 degrees off. Also the entire headlight is grounded by virtue of a small brass semi-circular plate that conforms to the inside circumference of the lower section of the plug. It has to be soldered to the ground wire from the harness. Be sure everything is real clean inside the plug and grounding plate bright to get a good ground. I put a small piece of wadding in the plug to force the grounding plate against the inside of the plug. Seemed to work.
6. If you're missing the plug, or the plastic insulator cylinder that fits into it, consider removing the female connector in the bucket, and just wiring everything directly to the harness using insulated spade connectors. You'll just need to ground the bucket to the ground wire from the harness which can probably be done by running a small machine screw on the bottom (to conceal from view) and bolting down the ground eyelet with a matching bolt on the inside of the bucket. Good Luck!