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Old 06-09-2017, 08:20 PM   #1
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Headlight confusion--Part Two

Headlights work intermittently—I start the car, turn the knob to the right, sometimes they come on, sometimes they don’t. I fiddle around with the light switch but can’t seem to “jiggle” it in such a way that the lights come on with any predictability. It just seems totally random. When they do come on, they are normal—ie when they work, BOTH ALWAYS come on—I never have just one side or the other. When they aren’t working I can get the high beams to come on with the normal (momentary) pull back on the high beam/low beam stalk on the steering column. Due in part to my lack of experience using them, I not sure if the fog lights are working normally or not. They come on when I pull back on the light switch knob, but when I then turn the knob to the left and release it, they go out. If I do the same thing but turn the knob to the right and release, they stay on. Is that proper functioning for the fogs?

With these symptoms, is my problem very most likely the dashboard light switch? If not, what’s the next step diagnostically? Litronics, btw.

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Old 06-09-2017, 09:10 PM   #2
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Replace the switch
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Old 06-10-2017, 02:35 AM   #3
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Aye Aye, Cap'n.
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Old 06-10-2017, 09:12 AM   #4
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Try electrical contact cleaner first. Spray it down inside the switch while turning the knob back and forth to clean the carbon buildup off of the internal contacts. Many have revived switches this way.
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Old 06-10-2017, 10:14 AM   #5
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So you are talking about doing this without any disassembly, right? Just spraying in the gap/on the cylinder (made visible when I pull the switch out towards me), correct?
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Old 06-10-2017, 10:20 AM   #6
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I would take it out. I don't know what the chemicals in the contact cleaner might do to the interior. Pelican has a nice article on removal of the switch and it's not difficult. I can have mine out in about 5 minutes.

Yes, spray down around the shaft so it goes inside the switch. Be generous with the cleaner.

Last edited by particlewave; 06-10-2017 at 10:22 AM.
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Old 06-10-2017, 10:38 AM   #7
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Sounds like a plan. Thanks!
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Old 06-10-2017, 06:58 PM   #8
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YES!
My results, and my helper--tucked away behind my toolbox.
Thanks again.


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