Stock headlight switch questions
#2792401
07/03/20 06:19 PM
07/03/20 06:19 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630 North Central Florida
eightlitermopar
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630
North Central Florida
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Many of you may have seen my many threads about burning up starters and in dash wiring.
In the process of fixing all those issues, I have a question about the headlight switch.
For 20 years now I have not had "brights" for headlights.
The regular lights work, but when I hit the dimmer switch on the floor, all lights go out. Dash lights, headlights, park lights, everything. So....I simply drove with regular lights. I changed the dimmer switch, and it did not change anything.
However, In my recent search I discovered the in dash switch installed sideways and was actually making contact with my wiper switch. Maybe this was the reason why?
Anyway, finally my question. When comparing the two switches side by side, I see a tab on the new one (circled in red) is this simply a ground?
Thanks!
eightlitermopar
Mopar or no car
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Re: Stock headlight switch questions
[Re: eightlitermopar]
#2792442
07/03/20 08:53 PM
07/03/20 08:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228 Colleyville
3hundred
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 10,228
Colleyville
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I believe the circuit breaker is integral with the switch, when you hit the brights it trips, when the load lessens it switched back on. Bad breaker is what I've experienced in the past. 2¢
'68 Fury Convertible '69 300 Convertible '15 Durango 5.7 Hemi '16 300 S Hemi
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Re: Stock headlight switch questions
[Re: 3hundred]
#2792454
07/03/20 09:23 PM
07/03/20 09:23 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630 North Central Florida
eightlitermopar
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630
North Central Florida
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I believe the circuit breaker is integral with the switch, when you hit the brights it trips, when the load lessens it switched back on. Bad breaker is what I've experienced in the past. 2¢ I am learning a lot about electrical here. Forgive my ignorance. Where is this breaker? Is it inside the switch itself? Will my changing the switch hopefully fix that issue? thanks!
Mopar or no car
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Re: Stock headlight switch questions
[Re: NITROUSN]
#2793313
07/06/20 10:24 AM
07/06/20 10:24 AM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,920 Calgary, Alberta Canada
a12rag
master
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master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,920
Calgary, Alberta Canada
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One way to increase the brightness of your headlights, is to wire in a relay - so when you turn on the "headlights", it turns on the relay - and you wire directly from battery to a circuit breaker, then the circuit breaker to the relay contact on one side, then from the switched side of the contact, to the headlights. This way you get battery voltage DIRECTLY to the headlights. Voltage drop contributes to a drop in light (lumen) output of the headlights . . . and it is less amperage draw on the headlight switch, reducing stress on the wiring.
As to your "new" headlight switch, as was said, the circuit breaker is internal to the switch. The "additional" tab on your switch, is indeed an additional ground . . . good luck !
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Re: Stock headlight switch questions
[Re: eightlitermopar]
#2793404
07/06/20 01:09 PM
07/06/20 01:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555 Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555
Rittman Ohio
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You should do some research about adding relays to power your headlights. That way the switch is only carrying the low current to the relays mounted on the core support near the headlights, The result is much brighter lights and a longer lasting headlight switch due to less current flowing through the switch Gus HaHa A12rag was typing the same idea but only faster then me
Last edited by fourgearsavoy; 07/06/20 01:13 PM.
64 Plymouth Savoy 493 Indy EZ's by Nick at Compu-Flow 5-Speed Richmond faceplate Liberty box Dana 60
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Re: Stock headlight switch questions
[Re: fourgearsavoy]
#2794135
07/08/20 01:08 AM
07/08/20 01:08 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630 North Central Florida
eightlitermopar
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,630
North Central Florida
|
One way to increase the brightness of your headlights, is to wire in a relay - so when you turn on the "headlights", it turns on the relay - and you wire directly from battery to a circuit breaker, then the circuit breaker to the relay contact on one side, then from the switched side of the contact, to the headlights. This way you get battery voltage DIRECTLY to the headlights. Voltage drop contributes to a drop in light (lumen) output of the headlights . . . and it is less amperage draw on the headlight switch, reducing stress on the wiring. As to your "new" headlight switch, as was said, the circuit breaker is internal to the switch. The "additional" tab on your switch, is indeed an additional ground . . . good luck ! You should do some research about adding relays to power your headlights. That way the switch is only carrying the low current to the relays mounted on the core support near the headlights, The result is much brighter lights and a longer lasting headlight switch due to less current flowing through the switch Gus HaHa A12rag was typing the same idea but only faster then me Relays and more LED technology is definitely on my radar. As for now I am trying to track down an electrical short and just get the darn thing running again. Its been sitting for almost two years and I'm starting to go into withdrawals. thanks for all the input! eightlitermopar
Mopar or no car
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