'72 T3 headlight problem

[Kurt G.]

I'm getting my '72 ready for a judging event, and that includes taking the Wagner headlights out and putting the T3's back in. I have a problem. When I put the T3's in, with the lights on in low beam all 4 lights come on very dim, and in the high beam mode, only the inboard lights (hi's) are on, at normal brightness. Any suggestions. With the Wagners in, all was ok. I need help from the geniuses out there, cuz I only have 2 days left to get these things working.

[Edward J.]

Re: '72 T3 headlight problem

Kurt go back and check the ground connections, on low beam just the out board lamps should be lite and with the highs all 4 should be lite.

Just maybe one of the spads on the headlamps didn't quite slide into one of the connectors right. If it were me I would pull all the headlamps and install them one at a time and test each one as you go.

[Dave S.]

Re: '72 T3 headlight problem

I'm getting my '72 ready for a judging event, and that includes taking the Wagner headlights out and putting the T3's back in. I have a problem. When I put the T3's in, with the lights on in low beam all 4 lights come on very dim, and in the high beam mode, only the inboard lights (hi's) are on, at normal brightness. Any suggestions. With the Wagners in, all was ok. I need help from the geniuses out there, cuz I only have 2 days left to get these things working.

Kurt,
Low beam lamps have 2 filaments. That's why low beam lamps have 3 prongs and high beams have 2 prongs. Seems like the T-3 filament in the low beam lamps that activate when the high beams are engaged are burnt out. Seeing as the Wagner's work then the wiring should be OK.

[Kurt G.]

Re: '72 T3 headlight problem

Thanks for the replies, guys. Does the phrase "dumba^#" mean anything to you. I know it had to be a bad ground or something, so after I did the post I went back out, pulled all the bulbs out one by one and found on lamp, the NOS low beam I got had very dirty contacts. So, I went back, pulled all out, cleaned the bulb prongs and the sockets, and vuala, or how ever you spell it. 4 light on hi, two outside lights on low, and all the same, correct brightness. Now I just hope they work for ops check. Makes me really feel stupid, I can fly and troubleshoot a $35 million dollar airplane, but can't think straight sometimes. Scary isn't it? If you're every on a flight and the flight attendant announces the captain for the flight is "Capt. Kurt" BE VERY SCARED!

[Edward J.]

Re: '72 T3 headlight problem

Kurt, nothing like last minute problems to get the blood flowing. good luck with your judging, I will be at the mercy of the judges at a local chapter meet this weekend, and I think that Dave Strickland may be one of them. - Hi ! Dave.

[Kurt G.]

Re: '72 T3 headlight problem

Kurt, nothing like last minute problems to get the blood flowing. good luck with your judging, I will be at the mercy of the judges at a local chapter meet this weekend, and I think that Dave Strickland may be one of them. - Hi ! Dave.

Thanks Ed. Did my very first judging, a chapter event a couple of weeks ago in Tulsa on my '94 coupe. Netted 98.1 with a total score including driving points of 99.9. Talk about pressure, Roy Sinor was one of the judges, all but 2 of the other guys judging my car were way up there master judges.