schematic for headlight switch?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,847
Likes: 439
From: Spring Texas
schematic for headlight switch?
helping a friend out and need a schematic for the headlight switch. Or if anyone can tell me what the "self resetting" breaker is and if it's supposed to be a closed or open circuit with the headlight switch assembly removed from the car.
The car is a 1996.
thanks in advance
The car is a 1996.
thanks in advance
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 5
From: Howard PA
96 for ya...
The self resetting circuit breaker is just what it's name says it is. I haven't looked inside mine but typically it's a bi-metal contact, when too much current is drawn it heats up and bends away from the contact. When the excessive current draw is removed it will cool and bend back into contact with whatever it's supposed to make contact with.
With the switch removed from the car you won't have jack to the headlights.
The self resetting circuit breaker is just what it's name says it is. I haven't looked inside mine but typically it's a bi-metal contact, when too much current is drawn it heats up and bends away from the contact. When the excessive current draw is removed it will cool and bend back into contact with whatever it's supposed to make contact with.
With the switch removed from the car you won't have jack to the headlights.
Last edited by ALLT4; Jul 12, 2006 at 11:46 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
The GM part number I found was 3-H21,4. But, I think you are looking for a general part number. Keep in mind that most car parts are custom molded to "fit" where they need to go.
If you are not sure if it's bad and the price for a new one is too pricey, try a junk yard. Just because the front-end was totaled on a bad car dosen't mean a switch is bad.
I Hope that atleast I got you going in a somewhat right direction...
If you are not sure if it's bad and the price for a new one is too pricey, try a junk yard. Just because the front-end was totaled on a bad car dosen't mean a switch is bad.
I Hope that atleast I got you going in a somewhat right direction...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
As far as I know, it's part of the switch - there isn't any servicable part and all of the headlight switches I've seen appear to be epoxied together. The schematic shows that the switch is hot at all times, so there should be power at the switch regardless of whether the breaker is open or closed. Pull on the switch and as long as the breaker is closed, the contacts will direct power to the headlights, motors, etc. If there's a short or overload, the breaker will open and the closed contacts don't get any power. To troubleshoot, simply check the power at the switch first - in and out. If in, but no out, you're going to have to work your way through the downstream stuff to find the short or whatever is sucking the life out of it. If in and out, there's just a bum ground somewhere. Anyway fix what's broken and the switch should work again.
