Headlight switch problem
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte (Area) North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Headlight switch problem
My dash lights havent worked since I got the car over the winter. Tonight I was taking out the car and put on the lights...BINGO the dash lights came on(I just assumed my bulbs were all out) then I touched the light switch and off they went again! If I wiggle it I can get them back on. Think its a short or something with the switch?? Anyone ever have this problem? Just wondering if I can fix it. Thanks! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 971
Likes: 7
From: roanoke va
You may have a bad switch or just dirty contacts. The dash lights work off of a reiostat (I think thats the proper name but unsure of the spelling) when you turn the switch to the right it makes the lights go dim but when you turn to the left they go brighter and then you turn on the dome light.
Work the switch left to right mutiple times and see if it gets better.
Work the switch left to right mutiple times and see if it gets better.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 705
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
New switch time
If the lights only work when you fiddle with the switch it is probably the rheostat for the dash lights. When they come on can you dim the dash lights or do they look like they are on bright? The reostat cily can break near the rivet. The lamps will only work when you use the dimming part of the switch and can bridge the break.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,443
Likes: 326
From: Indy Indiana
it works by completing the circuit to ground, make sure your switch is grounded.. and as stated above.. spend about 5 minutes rotating it with your fingers back and forth, off and on.. hundreds of times.. this should wear off any corrosion or rust on the contact
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 297
From: Midlothian VA
If the lights only work when you fiddle with the switch it is probably the rheostat for the dash lights. When they come on can you dim the dash lights or do they look like they are on bright? The reostat cily can break near the rivet. The lamps will only work when you use the dimming part of the switch and can bridge the break.
The trick above works and you can also try pulling the switch out to the "on" position for the headlights and then gently push in on the **** "just a bit" and sometimes the dash light rheostat pickups will then contact the resistor coil. As the switch ages either the coil breaks as described above and/or the spring that holds the contact pickup against the coil loses stiffness. Pressing in a bit will close the gap.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 442
Likes: 6
From: jacksonville Florida
my dashlights are like that too, someitmes they will go out I just have to toggle the dimmer that adjusts their brightness and eventually i find a sweet spot that turns them back on. I think the switch just needs replacing
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 8
From: Charlotte (Area) North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Thanks for the help everyone. I have tried all the remedies, it still isnt working right. I think I'll just change the switch. Thanks again!!!
Racer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 404
Likes: 1
From: roscoe il.
