Tail Lights Not Working ????????????
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Tail Lights Not Working ????????????
Hello everyone. My tail lights stopped working about 2 weeks ago and everything else that comes on when the headlight switch is at the first notch. At the 2nd notch the head lights do work work fine. I checked all fuses and they were fine. (for continuity also) Then I removed the headlight swith and found some slightly melted plastic. My friend is good with electronics and he took the switch apart and fixed it. I plugged it up and it worked for 1/2 an hour. Then it started glowing and smoking, so I quickly unplugged it. Now I have another switch on the way i got off E-Bay for 25.00. They cost 238.00 new. So before I try this new switch, what could be wrong with it that's causing swith to burn up and why isn't the fuse blowing ? I did find some bulbs that appeared to be bad and replaced them. My Vette is a 96. Sorry if I got long winded, Thanks for help in advance.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
The only way your headlight switch could smoke after being repaired and assuming you have the correct value fuse, is that even after repair, the switch contacts did not have their normal very low on resistance. Current flowing through even moderate resistance makes lots of heat, but insignificant heat through normal very low resistance. You should check the connections on the headlight wiring harness socket which are usually crimped connections. Once these connections are overheated for any reason, the crimp connection resistance may no longer be very low resistance and they should be soldered to ensure a good low resistance joint. If the socket connections are resistive, then you will likely ruin the replacement headlight switch.
