Posted By: Kirby
highbeam problem - 05/14/10 01:03 AM
My A12 Bee's headlights go completely out after they've been on for a while, kick the switch to lows, and they come back on (lows that is) I know that means either the headlight switch, or the dimmer switch is getting hot, or has poor connections. Where is the best place to start?
Posted By: stumpy
Re: highbeam problem - 05/14/10 01:32 AM
Start with the headlight grounds on the radiator support. Then check the floor switch for corrosion. Then the only thing left is the headlight switch.
Posted By: BDW
Re: highbeam problem - 05/14/10 01:53 AM
Same problem here, please post what you find.
Posted By: Evil Monkey
Re: highbeam problem - 05/14/10 10:55 AM
It wouldn't be the headlight switch, because that runs both high and low beams, so it wouldn't matter if you switch to lows when it goes out - they would be out also. I think (but I'm not positive) that the ground would be the same for both high and low beams. If so, then the same thing applies - it wouldn't matter if you switched to low beams, they would still be out.
I'm thinking you have a dimmer switch, or a bad connection, which would most likely be at the dimmer switch, or maybe at the bulkhead connector.
Posted By: buildanother
Re: highbeam problem - 05/14/10 11:02 AM
Headlight switch is very likely cause. (my 79 warlock did that after install of 4 hella bulbs. High beams on for a few minutes, went out, clicked back to low beams, came back on. New switch fixed it. I think there is breaker in switch.)
Posted By: Crunchy_Frog
Re: highbeam problem - 05/14/10 12:59 PM
I would check the dimmer switch first. Do a simple feel test. Turn the headlights on high and touch the DS (use back of fingers). If it gets hot, contacts have hi resistance. Power = current squared x resistance. Easiest thing to get to first.
Posted By: denfireguy
Re: highbeam problem - 05/14/10 02:31 PM
Dimmer switch. Cheap, easy to change. Clean the socket contacts that it plugs into and put dielectric grease in there to protect it from corrosion. It sits in a bad place for moisture.
Craig
Posted By: BDW
Re: highbeam problem - 05/14/10 10:11 PM
Can you buy new dimmer switches?
Posted By: BDW
Re: highbeam problem - 05/14/10 10:57 PM
Thx, didn't know that.
Kind of surprised mine is flakey, I have my headlights on relays, so there's not really any current going through the switch or dimmer.
Because the switch is under the carpet and moisture can get to it.
Posted By: Chilort
Re: highbeam problem - 05/15/10 02:14 AM
Mopar used the same dimmer switch for several decades. My '68 and '83 trucks use the same thing.
Posted By: BDW
Re: highbeam problem - 05/16/10 03:11 PM
Picked up a dimmer switch at AutoZone, $7.
Replacement is a little taller compared to the original, but it fixed my problem.
Thx!
