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I have a 77 and a new problem came up last night with the headlights randomly turning off and on and it is completely random as to when the lights go out or back on, lamps stay up just the light goes out on both high and low beams. So it does not matter if the car is parked or driving, all other parking and tail lights work as they should. I tried to replicate the problem in my garage today and lights worked perfect for about 15 minuets before they started acting up again ( same as last night ), possibly a heat issue? I put a new light switch in a month ago, I changed the gauge cluster bulbs and figured while the dash was apart it was worth putting in the new light switch. Thanks for any help / ideas
Sounds like to me that the internal breaker in the light switch is tripping.
It is a safety feature but who knows about today's replacement switches...
Get yourself a small tube of Permatex 22058 Dielectric Grease.
Remove and inspect each plug of each headlight bulb and headlight bulb prong, clean if necessary.
Just shoot a small dab into the headlight bulb plug with dielectric grease.
I use it for most all electrical connectors and bulbs.
It makes removing bulbs and splitting connectors much easier in the future...
Joe is correct, it is the internal breaker. It will only affect the headlamps and usually only when the high beams are on. Reproduction headlight switches are notorious for this. But originals will do it too with aged wiring. The best fix is to add a couple of headlight relays. It takes all the load off the switch and vintage wiring. There are many posts about this same issue. I add the relays to all my vintage cars. Relays are available at any parts store. Quick, easy and affordable. Here is a basic diagram. You don't have to run the main 10 g. lead to the battery, only to the alternator. You can have this done in 45 minutes.
77 Headlights
