Headlight Switch Questions

[AugustneverEnds]

The other night I experienced trouble with the headlight button in my car. It would not stay pushed and after several jabs at it it did stay on. Today the headlights will turn on but none of the car's other lights come one i.e. side marker lights, tail lights and the binnacle light. I checked any related fuses and all test fine. My next guess is that the headlight switch is skipping the first push which turns those on and going straight to turning the headlights on. Is this possible? What else should I check for? As always thank you for any assistance.

[David T]

The headlight switch is melted inside. If you take it apart you may be able to use it for a while but the best advice is to buy a new one. SpecialT sells one with a relay kit so the switch does not have to carry the full load of the headlights and side markers.
David Teitelbaum

[Bill Robertson's Sock Puppet #1]

Headlight switch doesn't carry headlight loads. That is why they are on relays.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Headlight switch doesn't carry headlight loads. That is why they are on relays.

Correct. The relay modification is just to eliminate the "parking" light loads (about 6 amps if you have all incandescent).

[AugustneverEnds]

Thank you very much. I will place an order with SpecialT today.

[David T]

The best part of the relay mod is not just the load of the running lights. That isn't all that much. The problem is when they corrode and you get a short, that's when the current draw goes way up and you melt the innards of the switch. The switch is also all plastic inside and was never intended to last 30 years and a lot of switch cycles. Every time you turn it on you hit it 3X. Once to get the running lights, once to get the headlights, and once to turn it off.
David Teitelbaum

[skynet]

Mine got fire after getting stuck when pushed too hard. If I were you I'd definitely replace it with the improved switch before.

[Chris 16409]

See this link:

https://store.delorean.com/p-7024-headlight-switch.aspx

[thirdmanj]

Mine got fire after getting stuck when pushed too hard. If I were you I'd definitely replace it with the improved switch before.

Oh god!! That sounds scary! I'm assuming you were able to get it put out ok? Did you by chance get any pictures of it?

[LEVY]

The best part of the relay mod is not just the load of the running lights. That isn't all that much. The problem is when they corrode and you get a short, that's when the current draw goes way up and you melt the innards of the switch. The switch is also all plastic inside and was never intended to last 30 years and a lot of switch cycles. Every time you turn it on you hit it 3X. Once to get the running lights, once to get the headlights, and once to turn it off.
David Teitelbaum

;
What do you mean by this: ......The problem is when they corrode and you get a short,.........
Corrosion itself does not cause a short.

LEVY