Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

When I purchased my 1940 Business Coupe it had already been converted to 12V, but was still positive ground. I converted it to negative ground and installed an alternator that looks like a generator. Brake, tail, and tag lights work fine. When I turn on running lights all is fine. When switch is pulled out to turn on headlights the running lights on the hood work fine and the right headlight works, but, the left one is off. When the dimmer switch is mashed, the right headlight goes out, the running lights get dim, and the left headlight comes on very dim. I've removed the dimmer switch and chased continuity and current there and at junction block. I think I've confined it to a short in the left headlight bucket. I've removed the screw in the bottom of the rim and tried to pull out from the bottom and even tried to twist it like a Model T, but, I can't get the rim to move. Is there a secret or is it just stuck. I didn't want to mess up the paint by prying it off with a screwdriver. Am I way off base with my thinking?

Most of the headlight rings have a tab at the top. So remove the screw at bottom, and the push up get tab out of its hole, then straight forward.

No doubt there is a short in the left headlight circuit on one brightness, and probably a broken wire in the other (could be a burned out filament though).

The cloth wiring on these cars is generally heavily deteriorated except for extremely well cared for examples. Once you do one headlight I would immediately do the other as well as check on anything else you can find without replaced wiring.

They sell safe repro cloth wiring.

The headlight rim is probably stuck. Gentle persuasion will get it loose. The screws are a fine thread, and I found it a little difficult to get them started correctly. I'd be careful with them, and keep careful track of them, since finding replacements might be a challenge. Don't over-tighten them. They need to be just snug. If you're worried about the screw coming loose, put a dab of something like clear silicone on the screw head after installing it.

I took out the one coarse thread screw that holds the trim ring in place and that's it. I've tried to then pull it out from the bottom a little to get it to come out of the top slot, but, it will not move. I tried inserting a hook between the trim ring and the ring that actually holds the light in place and pull forward, but, all that did was slip out and stick in my finger! I think I'll try to bump around it with a rubber hammer and if that don't work try a hook like used to remove the hubcaps on my dually. The wiring harness is new--but, I didn't install it and I didn't check the lights when I bought the car.

The headlights and most other equipment are not hardwired into the factory harness and need to each be addressed on their own. Who knows if this was done (probably not).

Clearly not for the headlights, not just because of your problem, but also that they are sticking in place from age.