Stupid headlight problem.... :(

When driving to work today I was shocked by smoke pouring from under my dash (77S). On further investigation, I found the light switch was very hot... This lead me to check my headlamps (H1's) and I found 100W bulbs for both low and high beams - with no realys. I can only assume that with the low milage, the PO never drove the car at night very much.

Anywho, what damage has been done? The lights still work in both running lights and regular full on head lamps. I have a light switch from a 84 and I think it will work OK in my car - won't it??? Anyway - all advise is very much appreciated!

Don

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'77 911S 30K miles

[This message has been edited by VIPRKLR (edited 12-13-2000).]

Wow-you're lucky you didn't end up by the side of the road watching the car melt. If the switch (or the wiring harness) was hot enough to smoke, you really ought to replace it-and install a high-current relay to carry the heavy load for the bulbs-mount it close to the battery and near the lights so the main power wire(s) are as short as possible. Use the existing power wire from the headlight switch (after you put a new one in) as the trigger for the input to the new relay-that way the switch will only be carrying a very small amount of current, no matter how powerful the bulbs are. Inspect the wiring harness near the switch to make sure there's no melted insulation somewhere that could lead to a short (or worse) in the future.

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Clay Mcguill www.geocities.com/the912guy

This makes me think that an easily reachable battery kill switch would be advisable. Good security too...

Switch to PIAA high output lights if your looking for more nighttime light. Does not use any more current them originals so no need for relays and wiring changes, (except for wiring already fried)

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8 9 9 1 1, The last of the line.