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I took my '66 out this morning. When I left, the headlights were retracted. Upon arrival, I noticed the lights were extended without moving the switch. I retracted them and the same thing happened again. I retracted them while driving and they didn't extend. It seems to occur when I begin driving. Since I don't drive at night, I was thinking about disabling the switch.
Has anyone had a sinilar problem or have suggestions to resolve this unusual problem?
I have never heard of this exact problem. My suspicion is the rocker switch need repair. It has been done by many of us and there are posts outlining the details. Dennis
I would be concerned as there is no limit switch on the motors nor a fuse in the headlight circuit other than the circuit breaker that resets automatically. This means if the buckets are opening and reach the mechanical stop, the motor is still trying to open them further and a chance of motor damage or wiring overload. You might consider removing the connector off of the back of the switch until you can troubleshoot and find the problem. Take it for another spin after disconnecting the switch and verify it is still not happening. There could be a short in the wiring at some other location. No one likes the smell of burning fiberglass.
Just my uneducated recommendation.
You can take off one of the nuts on the circuit breaker on the driver's side kick panel and lift the red wire off either end to kill the voltage to the switch. Take it off the output side and you won't have to worry about insulating the ring. The only power source to the switch is that breaker, so if the switch is bad, it's leaking from the center (red) wire on the three wire switch input to the yellow wire internally in the switch contacts.
Unfortunately I can't get to the switch or the circuit breaker out without removing the A/C ductwork. I think the only solution may be to unplug the motors. Thoughts?
Last edited by Captain Bud; Dec 22, 2023 at 10:25 AM.
Reason: spelling
Unfortunately I can't get to the switch or the circuit breaker out without removing the A/C ductwork. I think the only solution may be to unplug the motors. Thoughts?
If it's Vintage Air the ducting is pretty straightforward to remove.
Now this is really weird. Since I have no intention driving the car at night, I just want the headlights to remain closed. I disconnected the switch completely so there was no power going to the headlight motors.
Today I started the car and the headlights opened. I reinstalled the switch to lower them but I can't figure out why they would ioen without any power.
Now this is really weird. Since I have no intention driving the car at night, I just want the headlights to remain closed. I disconnected the switch completely so there was no power going to the headlight motors.
Today I started the car and the headlights opened. I reinstalled the switch to lower them but I can't figure out why they would ioen without any power.
I know that but they did. There must be a stray electron floating around.
The fact that it only happens when it’s running also indicates it’s a switched source. The headlight rollover is unswitched. So you’re getting switched 12 V on the yellow wire going to the headlight motors from somewhere. Just doesn’t seem very likely.
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Headlight uncommanded extension
Dennis
