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1977 Mark V Lighting Issues

Hi Bill,
Just bought a 1977 Continental Mark V a couple months ago with only 51,000 original miles on it. It needs a little work, but I drive it to work and back every day and I LOVE it!! I’m looking for a fresh air intake hose for it, however, and cannot seem to find one anywhere. It’s the black, flexible one that connects to the end of the air cleaner and to the air intake at the front of the car, rectangular in shape. I have the 400 engine. Also, when I got it the lights worked fine, but now every time I drive it for about 20 minutes with the headlights on, the dash lights start to flash off and on. The autolamp feature is turned to off, as well as the dimmer feature. Is it possible I need to change the headlight switch, and if so do you carry that part? I have the 1977 Ford manuals on cd that I bought recently, and I’m slowly reading my way through them. So I have that to assist me when I’m ready to do the work. I’m also making my way through the archives here, as there is a TON of useful info! You guys are doing an outstanding job helping people, it’s not too common these days from what I’ve seen.
Patrick
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Greetings Patrick –
At this time we do not have a source for air inlet hoses for your MK V. We will continue to look for a source as there are others that also need these parts.
I will also need to ask you a question as we need further information on your lighting issue. With the lights on and the dash lights flashing as you describe could you have a close look at “all” of the exterior lighting and let me know if any of those are malfunctioning as well. It is also important to know if the dash lights are actually flashing or would flickering better describe the issue?
Sincerely,
Bill
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Hi Bill,
Wow, thanks for the quick response! No, the exterior lights are all functioning normally. The dash lights will go on and off, they go off for maybe 3-5 seconds and then come back on for 3-5 seconds. This happens for a while, then it stops for a couple minutes. Then it starts again. No flickering though, just off and on. I read most of the archived posts on the autolamp issues as well, so I tried turning that feature on when it happened, then off, as well as the auto dimmer switch (each one was tried separately), and the issue continued whether those additional features were on or off – it didn’t seem to make any difference. I suspect, after reading the archived posts, that maybe the breaker inside the headlight switch is fatigued.
Patrick
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Patrick –
If only the instrument lights are blinking and your exterior park lights are stable the issue may be a faulty rheostat or rheostat contact at the headlight switch. A breaker inside the switch operates the park lights and the dash lights. A fuse down line in the fuse box also protects only the dash lights. This fuse can develop a poor contact and can be faulty but should not cause any blinking. If you rotate the h/l switch knob immediately when this outage occurs the dash lights should quickly reappear if the rheostat is an issue. If this is so, the switch would then need to be removed, checked and then repaired or replaced. We do offer a repair service or a new replacement. George will make arrangements for you if it appears that the switch is indeed the culprit.
Bill
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Hi Bill,
Ok, on my way home tonight I took the streets instead of the freeway. When it started happening I pulled over and got out to check all the lights just to make sure it was just the dash lights. CRAP! It’s the exterior lights too! Glad I double checked (and thank you for having me check, I thought I did before but now I’m not so sure). The headlights work properly , the interior courtesy lighting works properly, the radio is ok, the turn signals work, but the taillights, marker lights and front turn signal lights all flash on and off. Help!
Patrick
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Patrick –
Your second important reply changes the situation somewhat. If the exterior lights as well as the dash lights are flashing, a breaker within the switch has fatigued or a plug in contact at the switch is bad and has overheated the breaker. If the contact is ok, the switch will need rebuilding. I am of course assuming that no extra lights etc. have ever been added to that circuit to cause the breaker to fail. Contact our office and George will make arrangements to rebuild your switch.
Bill

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