Headlights turned off
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Headlights turned off
I just took a ride down to Houston. It was early when I left so I had my headlights on. The headlights went off about 20 minutes into my drive. They stayed off for about 10 minutes and came back on. The headlight doors remained open the whole time. The lights came back on and I had no problems the rest of my trip. I just replaced my headlight switch prior to my trip. Any ideas on the cause of this?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1978-1983.html
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
At one time some bad switches were out there with faulty breakers in them, this may be your problem.
One thing to remember is it is possible to get a bad one from a good supplier too, and LL is a good supplier.
You can see the breaker in the picture below.
If you do need the switch I have plenty. http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=24359
One thing to remember is it is possible to get a bad one from a good supplier too, and LL is a good supplier.
You can see the breaker in the picture below.
If you do need the switch I have plenty. http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=24359
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Jan 22, 2013 at 08:04 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 836
Likes: 26
From: Harrisburg Pa
I AGREE WITH THE BREAKER IN THE SWITCH, this is a known problem with all early cars and pickups, yes you can replace it with more China junk but I think the best way for a permanant fix is to add a relay in the light circiut, the relay will take the amps draw instead of the light switch. This is a very good fix for the brighter headlight bulbs that draw more amps like hologen "now old" and zeon bulbs.
Problem fixed.
Problem fixed.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I'm taking TOM B1's advice and putting some relays into the headlight circuit. I found plenty of information on this modification on the internet. Thanks for pinpointing the problem guys. 
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 650
Likes: 1
Before you start into all of that......
I had the same issue. My headlights would not work on very cold nights. Additionally they would go off all together with no explanation. I was really scratching my head going around testing all grounds for existence and good contact. Then after giving up and sweating cold weather driving for about a year, I ripped out my interior for a wiring over haul and discovered my dimmer switch plug was worn out and loose. New plug from another harness and the headlights never went off without me turning them off again.
Good luck.
I had the same issue. My headlights would not work on very cold nights. Additionally they would go off all together with no explanation. I was really scratching my head going around testing all grounds for existence and good contact. Then after giving up and sweating cold weather driving for about a year, I ripped out my interior for a wiring over haul and discovered my dimmer switch plug was worn out and loose. New plug from another harness and the headlights never went off without me turning them off again.
Good luck.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
Before you start into all of that......
I had the same issue. My headlights would not work on very cold nights. Additionally they would go off all together with no explanation. I was really scratching my head going around testing all grounds for existence and good contact. Then after giving up and sweating cold weather driving for about a year, I ripped out my interior for a wiring over haul and discovered my dimmer switch plug was worn out and loose. New plug from another harness and the headlights never went off without me turning them off again.
Good luck.
I had the same issue. My headlights would not work on very cold nights. Additionally they would go off all together with no explanation. I was really scratching my head going around testing all grounds for existence and good contact. Then after giving up and sweating cold weather driving for about a year, I ripped out my interior for a wiring over haul and discovered my dimmer switch plug was worn out and loose. New plug from another harness and the headlights never went off without me turning them off again.
Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Even with a relay in the headlight circuit, you still need a circuit breaker or fuse to protect the wiring. Using a fuse in the headlight circuit is NOT a good idea, so you still need a breaker.
Pete
Pete
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 5,339
Likes: 546
From: Central Texas
I'll be using short sections of fusible link wiring on the battery supply side of the relays.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
This thread has been interesting. I will say that I've not had any issues with the lamp switch breaker so I've never really seen a need to run a relay or fuse link. As I posted earlier, it is possible to get a bad switch from a good supplier and I think this may be the issue you have.
IMHO,
Willcox
IMHO,
Willcox