Headlight Switch Failure?

[Jack Olsen]

I pulled a gauge out to make it easier to run a wire through the front firewall, and now my headlight switch turns the headlights on when pulled out two stops, but -- in either the first or the second stop -- doesn't turn the running lights or interior instrument lights on.

I don't think I knocked anything loose in pulling the gauge out. All of its rear connections appear to be intact. All the fuses appear to be good.

My current thinking is that the headlight switch failed, with no connection to my fumbling aorund back there. I get no power to the running lights at the fuse box, but I do appear to have fuse panel power for the interior lights. As a stop-gap measure, I tapped a line from the headlight power to the running light power (on the supply side of the fuse box) to get running lights when the headlights are switched on.

Any ideas for a specific wire I might have knocked loose?

Alternately, is there a way to test the headlight switch before I order a ($135) replacement?

[andrew15]

I know last week, I dislodged the 5 pin connector into the bulkhead from the switch - maybe the same situation here?

AM

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by andrew15
I know last week, I dislodged the 5 pin connector into the bulkhead from the switch - maybe the same situation here?

yeah, that was my first thought..

wild guess is maybe the turn signal flasher connection was knocked loose? Mine is located behind the fuel gauge. I haven't looked at a diagram yet.

did you loose the turn signals?

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks.

Turn signals and all other gauge-based warning lights are working normally.

In the morning, I'll check the connector at the bulkhead.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by JackOlsen

In the morning, I'll check the connector at the bulkhead.

as long as your going in there bring a razor blade to slip in the male pin where it splits to tighten the connection.

[masraum]

Ronin, I don't think "razor blade" and "male pin" need to be in the same sentence with each other. Just something to think about.

[Jack Olsen]

Bulkhead connector appears to be fine as well. When I pull it out, the headlights go out, as do all the dash gauge needles. Still, no power to the gauge lights.

Does anyone know which specific tab on the headlight switch triggers the gauge lights?

[jpnovak]

Jack, according to the wiring diagram, 12V comes into pin K and then uses pins 58L and 58R to the lower fuse block #5/6 for the parking/running lights.

These go through a 6 pin connector on the firewall that also carries the power for the dash lights.

I would check that connection and also the main switch. It will be a pain to look upside down to the dash with that cage. yep, BTDT.

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by JackOlsen

Does anyone know which specific tab on the headlight switch triggers the gauge lights?

this is a dash lite fuse install thread.. pics, wire color, terminal number, etc.

Dash lighting fuse installation

[Jack Olsen]

Thanks for the link, Ron. It got me back in there for another look, and -- after running a hot line directly to the 58a wires -- I still was stumped. I could power all the lights by running a line to the circuit up by the gauges, but the line from the switch was dead.

But that's when I noticed that there are more than two bulkhead plugs. Sure enough, one had come out. It was the one that faces up, and is tucked behind an air duct in my dash.

I put it in, and on came the gauge lights. I closed everything up, and...

...saw the turn signals were suddenly not working. The hazard switch produced nothing, either. Another search on Pelican, and I thought I must have done something to the flasher relay.

But then I got down on my back again, and saw that there's a fourth bulkhead plug. Somehow, I'd knocked it loose.

Now it's back in, and all my lighting is working again.

Thanks for the help, guys.