Headlight Issue!
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Headlight Issue!
So after driving for about 30min or more my headlights will just shut off, then after a second come back on. few minutes later do it again. Seems to only do it after driving a while. Ive tried to turn the lights on and wiggle connections and I cant get them to go off. It just seems to do it on its own. Its very frustrating. When they go off, noting I do corrects it. Ive jiggle the switch hit the dimmer button etc. Any ideas?
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Classic symptom of the circuit breaker in the headlight switch going bad.
However, if any of the connections are corroded, including the headlight sockets, dimmer switch connection and any grounds can also strain the circuit.
Also installing hi-wattage modern headlamps can over power the headlight switch.
Josh
However, if any of the connections are corroded, including the headlight sockets, dimmer switch connection and any grounds can also strain the circuit.
Also installing hi-wattage modern headlamps can over power the headlight switch.
Josh
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: New Glasgow, Nova Scotia
This is common with a bad headlight switch, it's annoying as hell too. There was a heavy duty switch available a few years ago but when Dad's switch went he only could get the standard one.
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Just went out and looked. I cant see wattage from the fron of the light but it does say Sylvania Halogen and its still a sealed beam. I'll take it off and see what its rated.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
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Possible that the halogen is overloading the breaker in the switch. If you swap out, and the light swork fine, ou can wither leave em or I believe you can up grade the switch.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Arlington,Wa
Had the same problem a few years ago. Check for corroded connections to rule out anything like that, but most definetly your headlight switch. You've described the classic symptoms to a T. Not a darn thing you can do when its happening. It was getting dark when it happened to me. Talk about frustrating.....OH I just remembered.......I bought a new switch from Sch**ks and it was bad too. That's when I went through the whole wiring for the headlights before I found out the new switch was bad. Long story short....buy good quality stuff.
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It's a really poor design. With the several feet of wire running from the battery, thru the harness to the switch and then to the dimmer and then all the way back to the headlights. Even if you are running 14 volts at the battery, by the time you get power to the headlight sockets you might barely have 10 volts.
And then throw in some brand spakin' new silverstar whatchamacallits you have now overloaded the system. I am pretty sure I might be wrong, but I think the system was designed for a 30/50 or 35/55 headlamp and what you get now days is the usual 60/40.
Josh
And then throw in some brand spakin' new silverstar whatchamacallits you have now overloaded the system. I am pretty sure I might be wrong, but I think the system was designed for a 30/50 or 35/55 headlamp and what you get now days is the usual 60/40.
Josh
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So, I picked up a set of incandesent sealed beams for it today. when removing the halogens I realized the halogens were actually lower wattage than the incandesents. So, I called Car Quest and had them order a new headlight switch and dimmer. I didnt put in the incandesents cause I figure if they are higher wattage it will just make my problem worse. The headlights in it now are just the basic Sylvania H6024.
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I still haven't found the problem, the dimmer button sent a shock through my foot when hitting it bear foot last summer, but this problem just started and it's winter.
the Headlight switch is a fighter, it doesnt wanna pull out or push in without, convincing, I assume I'll be replacing both my dimmer switch and my headlight switch to fix that.
$22 and it's all replaced.
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reading this made me think of an ol 86 i had where it would do the sam long story short it was the switch but something that i thought was funny was when i took it to this one guy who said he knew everything about fords well he messed with it and said he fixed it so i was heading home and stopped at the gas station and went to shut the trcuk off and it wouldnt shut off so i was curious to see if the head light at least worked now and i pulled the switch and the truck shut off and the headlights came on. i was like WTF is going on well i shut the headlights off and went in got me a pop came out started the truck and tried shutting it off same thing happen so i took it to the local automotive electrical shop and told the guy what it was doing he looked at me and laughed and asked what i had been smoking that day, he went out and looked and found that the other guy that i had work on it hooked the lights up wrong (was told it was during the trasitional period were it still had the old system along with a newer system) he swapped a couple of wires around and sure enough it fixed the problem but it was just funny as hell i had to turn the headlight on to shut it off 
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My 77 gives dimming troubles sometimes. The first time I dim or bright the lights, they go out for maybe 5 seconds. After that it's fine. I am going to start with replacing the dimmer switch. Doesn't matter if it starts dim or bright. Only on the first click of switch.
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