Light Switch problem
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Light Switch problem
1978 vet. with key out and battery connected the running lights and instrument lights come on. When you rotate the switch **** from instrument lights off to on the voltmeter goes from o to 13. So the light stich is controlling current to the voltmeter.
Does anyone have an idea what the problem could be, besides a new light switch. I want to eliminate the possibilities before I order one.
Does anyone have an idea what the problem could be, besides a new light switch. I want to eliminate the possibilities before I order one.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
The volt meter/battery charge indicator is mounted in the instrument cluster. It operates normally when the car is running. When the car is turned off, the running lights and instrument cluster lights stay on. By turning the headlight switch **** you can shut the inside lights off but not the running llights. Also when you turn the inside lights on by rotating the headlight **** the needle of the battery voltmeter goes up, when you turn the know down to dim the interior lights the needle of the battery volt meter goes down.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Are you saying that with the key OUT of the ignition and the headlight switch in the OFF position, you still have lights that are ON?
If that's the case, then the headlight switch is the wrong part, is defective or it is wired incorrectly.
If you are saying something else, please clarify>
Also, the '78 C3 has a voltmeter but doesn NOT have a "charge" meter (ammeter). The early C3's had the ammeter (not a voltmeter). These are two different gauges which do NOT provide the same information. One simply measures the voltage level in the car's electrical system. The other displays the amount of current being passed through the electrical wiring main line.
If that's the case, then the headlight switch is the wrong part, is defective or it is wired incorrectly.
If you are saying something else, please clarify>
Also, the '78 C3 has a voltmeter but doesn NOT have a "charge" meter (ammeter). The early C3's had the ammeter (not a voltmeter). These are two different gauges which do NOT provide the same information. One simply measures the voltage level in the car's electrical system. The other displays the amount of current being passed through the electrical wiring main line.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Apr 15, 2016 at 08:52 AM.
