Help - Electrical
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 4
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
Help - Electrical
I replaced the headlight switch in my '81 because the instrument dimmer was nonexistent. Got everything back together and now with the headlight switch in the park or headlight on position I have power to the ignition while the ignition is off. Also I can vary the voltage to the ignition by operating the instrument dimmer.
With the car running (ign. on) everything works properly.
Anyone have any ideas?!
Thanks,
John
With the car running (ign. on) everything works properly.
Anyone have any ideas?!
Thanks,
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
Do your instrument panel lights work now? You may have had two problems. Non working dimmer and a short circuit to the ignition. Normally the headlights are independent from the ignition switch.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 338
Likes: 4
From: Bowling Green Kentucky
OK, I've pulled the headlight switch out and checked it versus the schematic I have in the 81 Corvette wiring diagram I got from a member here. All checks correct on the new switch.
I've put everything back together again and here is what I have.
Ignition OFF, headlight switch OFF. Turn the **** to full bright for the instrument lights and all of the outside lights are on that would normally be on with the switch in the parking light position. Also the ignition circuit is powered as well as all ignition controlled circuits on the fuse panel.
With the headlight switch in the park or on position, ignition off, the instrument lights work properly.
OK, here is where it really gets weird, car running, ignition on of course, turn the headlight switch to either the park position or on position, switch the ignition OFF and the engine keeps running until the headlight switch is turned off.
Here is another thing I noticed. Ignition off, headlight switch in parking or headlight on position, the tach needle zeros out just as it would with the key on and the battery light is illuminated as well as the volt meter is showing battery voltage.
I've put everything back together again and here is what I have.
Ignition OFF, headlight switch OFF. Turn the **** to full bright for the instrument lights and all of the outside lights are on that would normally be on with the switch in the parking light position. Also the ignition circuit is powered as well as all ignition controlled circuits on the fuse panel.
With the headlight switch in the park or on position, ignition off, the instrument lights work properly.
OK, here is where it really gets weird, car running, ignition on of course, turn the headlight switch to either the park position or on position, switch the ignition OFF and the engine keeps running until the headlight switch is turned off.
Here is another thing I noticed. Ignition off, headlight switch in parking or headlight on position, the tach needle zeros out just as it would with the key on and the battery light is illuminated as well as the volt meter is showing battery voltage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
If the only change was the switch.......
