Headlight Switch Hot - is this normal??
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Headlight Switch Hot - is this normal??
I have '82 and noticed on a trip this last weekend that the headlight switch bezel gets very hot when the headlights are in up position. It doesn't get nearly as hot when just the driving lights are on. What I mean by "hot" is that you would have to let go of it due to the pain from the heat after about 10 seconds of touching it. Does this sound normal? Would it have something to do with the rheostat (lever that controls brightness of int. lights) acting like a heat sink?
I'm not sure if this is a problem or normal.
Anyone else notice this? You would know by touching the bezel around the switch after headlights have been up for about 10 min.
Thank you
I'm not sure if this is a problem or normal.
Anyone else notice this? You would know by touching the bezel around the switch after headlights have been up for about 10 min.
Thank you
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Unfortunately it is normal and dangerous at the same time. All the power for the lamps runs through that switch and it can get very hot. If the contacts have enough resistance in them, due to age and what not, the switch can actually melt the wires and/or catch fire. I had my contacts scorch themselves pretty good. Wire some relays into the circuit so the power bypasses the switch. That will fix it. Or here is a pre-made harness with relays built for C3's http://cmc.speeddirect.com/customkit...-SK503-125&eq=
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
Thanks for the info. and insight into the issue. The harness is more than I'd like to spend at this time but do appreciate the link. However, I need to keep in mind that if there were a fire it would be a much larger problem and the $225 would seem cheap. Hmmm, does anyone have any fixes that can be implemented cheaply. The relays you spoke of - do you know where to get them, approx. how much $ and how to install?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
No problem. You can get 30 amp relays and wire at an auto parts store and there are general relay wiring diagrams online. That would get you started. The cheapest thing to do would be to just clean all the contacts at the switch and at the headlight lamps. A little sandpaper for the spade terminals and some spray contact cleaner for the switch would be good.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
Bill.. I had a similar problem in my 79. I did what Burner suggested. I installed two 30 amp relays. You can usually do the whole job for less than $20. With relay the load on the light switch is light as it's only switching the relays on. The power for the lights then comes direct from the battery and they are brighter. Here a photo of my relays. They are mounted on the fender well just above the alternator in the photo. Hope you can see them.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Quick fix is to run the interior dash lights at full brightness, so less current is dissipated as heat through the switch.
It is dangerous and should be addressed, it can catch fire or at least burn wires
It is dangerous and should be addressed, it can catch fire or at least burn wires
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 716
Likes: 1
From: Albuquerque New Mexico
You guys are awesome! I'm going to do the relay mod. per the diagram for around $20.
I did notice that running the int. lights brighter helps a little but this is still running way hotter than what should be acceptabe. In the meantime I'm going to buy a small fire extinguisher.
I did notice that running the int. lights brighter helps a little but this is still running way hotter than what should be acceptabe. In the meantime I'm going to buy a small fire extinguisher.
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