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I did a bunch of wiring fixes on my truck this spring, all successful except for the headlights.
My original headlights switch worked on everything except the headlights. Parking and tail lights work as expected, but no headlights. I ordered a re-pro switch from Dennis Carpenter, waited a week for it and installed it today. A similar issue. Pull it halfway and parking and tail lights work, all the way and no headlights. However I heard the relay click as I pulled the switch. Turns out if I leave it about 1/2” from all the way out, the headlights work. I don’t feel any click at the halfway point or all the way out, it just pulls smoothly all the way.
Has anybody run into this? Any ideas how to fix it? This is the switch I bought.
Hi Bob, we must have went through at least 3 different DC headlight switches back in 2021 when I had my truck rewired! We finally gave up and I found a NOS or a NORS headlight switch on eBay. They do pop up every now and then. I recommend getting one of them instead of the new repro.
What did Dennis Carpenter tell you? I would call and talk to them explain what is happening and ask them to inspect their stock for a good switch. I would even ask to send them a video of what is happening so they know. Looking at the switch design, if it wasn’t a new switch that was $55.00 I would be bending the tabs that hold the circuit board on top back and taking a look inside. Are you responsible for return shipping on a defective part?
My original when pulled all out for headlights , the tail lights went out. I bought a repo and same thing. If you push back in 1\4" they will come on. I bought mine about 5 years ago. So apparently this has been ongoing. I don't skim eBay or other market places, but I to will have to start. Maybe an older scrap yard? Dean
Thanks everyone for the responses, there are several NOS on eBay and Dennis-carpenter has some too. My only concern is the NOS switches don’t have threaded terminals. I think that means I need a nut on it, which makes installing under the dash difficul, or is there another way?
Thx. My only concern now is that one terminal has 3 connectors, dash lights, temp gauge lights (under dash add on) and tail lights. I’ll figure that out.
This thread brought back some memories... and the reference pictures used to help me rewire.... The logic legend for the way the switch works... had to figure out what, went, where...
... this is a behind the dash of Rose, the 1949 F-1 pickup... before my rewire efforts...
Lower right is the headlight switch after the rewire... (there were other 12v down to 6v revisions to the gauges later!)
Hope this helps!
This thread brought back some memories... and the reference pictures used to help me rewire.... The logic legend for the way the switch works... had to figure out what, went, where...
... this is a behind the dash of Rose, the 1949 F-1 pickup... before my rewire efforts...
Lower right is the headlight switch after the rewire... (there were other 12v down to 6v revisions to the gauges later!)
Hope this helps!
That matches my wiring except that I also have the under dash temperature gauges, so there’s a 3rd wire along with the tail lights and dash lights.
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