Ground WD headlights
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=172388
Printed Date: 05 Nov 2025 at 5:08pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Ground WD headlights
Posted By: davegoodell
Subject: Ground WD headlights
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 9:37am
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I am seeking suggestions to properly ground the headlights for a WD. Thanks-Dave in Minnesota
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Replies:
Posted By: Bill_MN
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 10:10am
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Lights ground best through thumbscrews. Make sure the threads and ends on the thumbscrews and the holes are clean shiny metal, and also clean off the area of the light post where the thumbscrew tightens down on it. Put a very light coat of dielectric grease on threads and bare spot on the posts to prevent corrosion. ------------- 1951 WD #78283, 1918 Case 28x50 Thresher #76738, Case Centennial B 2x16 Plow |
Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 27 Jun 2020 at 5:36pm
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Take the headlight apart and solder a wire to the outside of the socket. Put it back together and connect the new wire to a GOOD ground source with no paint between the new wire connection and the tractor. ------------- 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: davegoodell
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2020 at 4:29pm
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MMMMMM thumbscrew eh? |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2020 at 9:22pm
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Dave, I have had many of these lights not working due to poor grounds. From the bulb contacts to, to much paint where the thumb screw contacts the tube. Use a meter to do a continuity check as you go through the system. 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: EPALLIS
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2020 at 10:06pm
| Actually, I discovered the hard way, all the "magic" was in those thumb screws. I really shined them up well and then the lights worked perfect. Good luck! |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 28 Jun 2020 at 10:07pm
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Replaced the wiring to mine. Dry insulation and mice had taken its toll. Cleaned up the ground contact points and they have worked well ever since. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: davegoodell
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 10:55am
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Would it work to ground it to the metal part of the headlight with a thumbscrew or any kind of screw? |
Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 3:44pm
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Best bet would be to just clean up what is there and use it as it was intended. Barring that, you could solder a wire from the outside of the bulb socket to anywhere that would make a good ground. It works, but I prefer the former and it's a lot easier. Good luck whichever way you choose. ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |
Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 29 Jun 2020 at 7:14pm
The outside of the bulb socket, HAS to have continuity to the engine block or the frame, best checked at the battery ground. You can do it anyway you want, but if you add a ground wire from the socket, back thru with the 'hot' wire and connect it to a good ground, you'll never have a grounding failure again. You also have to look REAL close to tell it's even in there. ------------- 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 |
davegoodell wrote: