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How to test this switch.

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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 07:23 PM
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From: Cameron Tx
Default How to test this switch.

I admit I do not understand which terms apply to the specifics of the switch. I have no headlights and they are wired into this switch.
How do I check to see if the switch is bad. I have attempted to find which poles are what and and cannot. Thanks for helpin a novice.
Here is a link to the picture of the switch

http://www.volvette.com/EL65.ht
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 07:28 PM
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Check your link, I got page not found.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 07:35 PM
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EL65 at volvette is a horn relay- (your link is incomplete =-didn't work)

ANyway a simple relay has 4 or 5 terminals. 2 of them are for the control- they make and break the switch for the high current/voltage application. Another one is the power feed. that goes to feed whatever it controls. Then another one for the source power. the last termnal if used, is a ground for the control or system.

The only way to test is to figure out which 2 terminals are for the make/break coil, then feed them the voltage and ground to make the switch, and then check that the other terminals have continuity.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 07:37 PM
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EL65 at volvette is a horn relay- (your link is incomplete =-didn't work)

ANyway a simple relay has 4 or 5 terminals. 2 of them are for the control- they make and break the switch for the high current/voltage application. Another one is the power feed. that goes to feed whatever it controls. Then another one for the source power. the last termnal if used, is a ground for the control or system.

The only way to test is to figure out which 2 terminals are for the make/break coil, then feed them the voltage and ground to make the switch, and then check that the other terminals have continuity.
Rereading your post, I see your headlights are wired into this. That would lead me to a fusible link being bad.
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 10:52 PM
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headlights are not on a relay... only horns are relayed... and actually the starter solenoid is also, although it is technically a relay.. the headlights are switched and not relayed.

check your foot dimmer, all headlight power goes thru this switch also

get a wiring diagram, you can easilly trace back the wires back thru your foot switch and into your headlight switch.

do you have taillights? dash lights? brake lights? or is everything off?
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 11:07 PM
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I have tail lights , dash light and rear plate lights
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 11:14 PM
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Default Joe will

could it be the trun signals that are wired into the relay
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Old Jul 31, 2009 | 11:18 PM
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From: Cameron Tx
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Also
I cant read the fuse box so i don't know which fuse is for the headlights.
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Old Aug 1, 2009 | 01:01 AM
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There is no fuse for the headlights, there is an internal circuit breaker built in as part of the headlight switch, however the feed for the headlights is protected by a fusible link, which may be located on the line at the starter solenoid.
Here's a link to the wiring diagrams http://www.nrjvette.com/johdotukset/?c=d;o=d PG.
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Old Aug 1, 2009 | 01:17 AM
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thanks pete.
I might just take it to somone who understand the electricity
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Old Aug 1, 2009 | 10:02 AM
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there is no fuse for headlights, and again there is no headlight relay... the horn relay is also used as a junction point for power, maybe that is what you are thinking..
if you have other lights then your headlight switch is working at least to some degree.. start at your foot dimmer look for power there, then you will know whether to go back to the switch or on to the headlights.
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Old Aug 1, 2009 | 10:22 AM
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Some people install relay's on thir headlight circuits to take the load off the main headlight switch and provide more current to the lights. If your sure the headlights are wired to this relay. (this can be verified with a ohm meter and no power on the circuit)...I would start tracing out the all the leads and find out where they go. As TimAT stated, if your headlights are running through the relay you have identified then the control points will connect to the main headlight switch....or as stated maybe this is really the horn realy and you've mistaken where things connect. Either way an ohm meter should be able to sort it out.

Good Luck!
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Old Aug 1, 2009 | 11:49 AM
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I'd check the dimmer switch first. Also with a tilt front end someone may have modified your wiring
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