headlight switch gremlins
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
From: melbourne,Australia
headlight switch gremlins
My instrument lights in 74R are suddenly now not working properly;they have bn working fine,now they only work if i pull the **** hard out and keep pulling on it,as soon as i stop pulling the lights go out....i suspect it is something to do with the internal of the switch(is is only 12 months old) has anyone else come accross a similar problem?....better yet,has anyone got a solution?......john 
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by jdunne
i suspect it is something to do with the internal of the switch
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
From: melbourne,Australia
I was hoping to find some way to test it without having to take the dash out yet again....seems to be something to do with the switch shaft,but i dont remember the switch itself as being rebuildable....so i guess i just have to get a new one...again...john
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by jdunne
My instrument lights in 74R are suddenly now not working properly;they have bn working fine,now they only work if i pull the **** hard out and keep pulling on it,as soon as i stop pulling the lights go out....i suspect it is something to do with the internal of the switch(is is only 12 months old) has anyone else come accross a similar problem?....better yet,has anyone got a solution?......john
There is the answer, sorry I don't have a solution.
I guess you could try a second hand one but again it is a wild card.
Pete
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
I'm no Electrical Engineer, but the part of the switch that controls the courtesy lights and the dimming function is a variable rheostat.
You've got a coiled "spring like" device, upon which "rides" a brass contact which rotates as the **** is turned. I'd check to see if the contact is touching the spring like device. No contact....no current....no dimming.
Do the courtesy lights work when you crank it all the way over?
I'd guess you would have to take the switch out to check. Chuck
You've got a coiled "spring like" device, upon which "rides" a brass contact which rotates as the **** is turned. I'd check to see if the contact is touching the spring like device. No contact....no current....no dimming.
Do the courtesy lights work when you crank it all the way over?
I'd guess you would have to take the switch out to check. Chuck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 977
Likes: 1
From: wash. dc
headlight switch
don't mean to jump on his question but while we're on the subject of h/l switches, how do you get the **** and shaft out of the switch housing. can't tell whether its supposed to unscrew or what... thanks for all the help you experts give to us novices
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
From: Sayreville New Jersey
Not an expert but a novice too that had to replace the headlight switch on my '78. If i remember correctly there's a springed release on the bottom of the headlight switch. Push in and it will release the **** and shaft. 
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 963
Likes: 0
From: melbourne,Australia
Originally Posted by Chuck Gongloff
I'm no Electrical Engineer, but the part of the switch that controls the courtesy lights and the dimming function is a variable rheostat.
You've got a coiled "spring like" device, upon which "rides" a brass contact which rotates as the **** is turned. I'd check to see if the contact is touching the spring like device. No contact....no current....no dimming.
Do the courtesy lights work when you crank it all the way over?
I'd guess you would have to take the switch out to check. Chuck
You've got a coiled "spring like" device, upon which "rides" a brass contact which rotates as the **** is turned. I'd check to see if the contact is touching the spring like device. No contact....no current....no dimming.
Do the courtesy lights work when you crank it all the way over?
I'd guess you would have to take the switch out to check. Chuck
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
From: Poquoson VA
St. Jude Donor '05-'09-'10
Switch
My '73 has the same button that has to be pressed to remove the Switch pull, and unfortunately it's on top and the dash has to be lifted up to get at it. I had my dash out so I think I will replace the switch. It has been operating eraticly also...
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
yesss!!!
my headlights actually went out on me in the middle of the night( very unplesant getting home) put the car up for a few months ( didint have time to fix) and i went out there one day tolet it run a little and they work again! 
im sure it is the switch going bad
im sure it is the switch going bad