WD45- Headlights Not Working??
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=169401
Printed Date: 29 Aug 2025 at 4:40pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: WD45- Headlights Not Working??
Posted By: ssccrab
Subject: WD45- Headlights Not Working??
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2020 at 9:09pm
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The previous owner of my 1955 WD45 was in the process of converting it over to 12V. I finished it using the schematic below, which I found here: http://dueyschutter.freeservers.com/photo3.html" rel="nofollow - http://dueyschutter.freeservers.com/photo3.html Everything fires normally and the tractor runs. I have the exact switch from NAPA as recommended on that page. Bulbs have been changed out to 1156 LED's and I have the light switch and inline fuse wired exactly as the schematic says, but the lights refuse to work. The previous bulbs which were 1195's and not blown also refused to work. When I clip my test light's ground to the negative battery post, and touch the needle to the output post on the light switch, the test light comes on when I flip the switch on. This tells me there's some sort of grounding issue? But I have no idea how to route a ground back to the switch without blowing something. Would appreciate your knowledge on this. Thanks!!  |
Replies:
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2020 at 9:37pm
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Take out the bulb and make sure it works, Then check the grounds. If the tractor has fresh paint it may be as simple as shining up the light support rods where the thumb screw touches. The rear light can be tricky to get a ground also. By the way I do not like the NAPA switches. I have tried 4 of them. I am sorry, I usually dont downgrade items, but these have failed me several times. I have changed most of mine over to the Sierra marine grade (plastic) and have had better success. Your switch may work fine for a long time. I dont think that is your problem. Maybe try running a test ground wire from your battery out to each light, rub a spot on the light housing and try the direct ground wire. Hope this helps a little. Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2020 at 9:56pm
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Take the socket out of the lamp housing and solder a wire to the ground side of the socket. Run it back along side the hot wire to the mounting bracket of the light tube, and ground it to the bracket mount which should be grounded to the bell housing and engine. ------------- http://www.ae-ta.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.ae-ta.com Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF |
Posted By: ssccrab
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2020 at 10:30pm
| Thank you fellas! I tried removing one of the sockets earlier to inspect it but had no luck. Is there a certain way to pop those out? |
Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 23 Mar 2020 at 11:05pm
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If the socket is connected to the reflector just take the reflector out and you should be able to clean up the ground connection or solder to the side of the socket for a ground wire. It's been over 10 years since I worked on the WC headlights. I don't have a ground wire, but do have one headlight that works when it wants to  That's why I would say add the ground wire now.------------- http://www.ae-ta.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.ae-ta.com Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF |
Posted By: Alberta Phil
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2020 at 10:11am
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The ground is rather iffy on those lights. The reflector contacts a little brass tab which is riveted to the headlight shell. Old age, corrosion and rust all take their toll and the ground is no longer continuous. Best is solder a wire to the bulb socket as has been recommended and attach to a good ground point. If using the thumb screw as the ground, make sure it's not rusty and makes good contact with clean threads and the light tube. |
Posted By: ssccrab
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2020 at 12:59pm
Took your all's advice and rewired these guys completely today. New contacts to the bulbs, new grounds on the sockets. Works perfectly! Thank you all for taking the time to offer your advice here =D   |
Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 24 Mar 2020 at 3:22pm
 Glad it worked out and you could post pictures.That's what I might have to eventually do with the WC. I don't use it for anything but show and play, so it's way down on the priority list. ------------- http://www.ae-ta.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.ae-ta.com Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 11:27am
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scccrab, Nice work on the lights! I have a light fetish. They do come in handy for real work in the field and or loading them after a antique tractor pull too. Thanks for sharing the pictures too! Those 45's are the best!:) Regards, Chris
------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date Posted: 25 Mar 2020 at 12:52pm
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Excellent! Amazing what sound wiring will accomplish. I like your approach. Dave ------------- WC, CA, D14, WD45 |
Posted By: Dakota Dave
Date Posted: 26 Mar 2020 at 5:00pm
| On mine I bent the little brass tab" and when I got the lights where I wanted them had to twist the assebly with the thumbscrew partly loose to scrape the paint enough to to get a ground. But since switching to 12 volts 15 years ago I haven't touched them and they still work great. If I ever open them up against Ill do like you did that's a better solution. |
Posted By: ssccrab
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2020 at 1:49pm
| Thanks guys! Yeah, one side had the brass tab, that I assume was no longer making a proper ground. The other side had no tab at all. And yess, it's such a simple system to rewire once you just take a look at it. Eventually I'll get a rear light on it. It currently doesn't have one. Thinking one of those smaller LED work lights. I know the little bullet light is "stock" to the tractor, but I'd prefer a bright rear-facing light with its own switch. |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2020 at 6:50pm
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The egg light (original red lens, rear, left fender, light) is the "Crown Jewel" when you get one of these tractors done. Always my goal to get these working! They are just so cute!:) This one I did in black to match the headlight shells:  Regards, Chris
------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |