Turn signal / high beam switch

[targa todd]

So I go out for a late night drive yesterday. I've been traveling a lot lately and wanted to get the car some exercise.

I'm cruising along on the dark, fun, twisty roads and I'm switching the brights on and off as necessary.

A bit later I'm sitting at a traffic light in a well lit area and I see the high beam indicator on in the tach. Huh? I knew I had turned them off. I wiggle the switch and they go out.

Two minutes later they are on again. After some "troubleshooting" it seems like there's a mechanical contact problem within the switch. When the switch is in the low beam setting, it seems to keep the brights on. A (VERY) little pull on the switch toward the driver gets you low beams. A wiggle and the lows will stay on until you touch the switch again, say to use the turn signal.

This is a long winded story to ask: has anyone ever had any success repairing these things? It seems like a "simple" adjustment so the switch sits in the right spot and the lows stay on. I've searched and found many threads about replacing these switches, but no adjustments / repairs. Am I stuck with buying a fairly expensive part?

Thanks guys.

[Barrpete]

The contacts in the switch get worn over time. The fix is to open it up and adjust the contacts by bending them a little. It's really a pretty easy fix.

There is a thread somewhere where the procedure is very well documented complete with photos.


turn signal switch quick fix pictures

[OldTee]

Just happened to me on the 78SC. I replaced the switch. $130 from our host. Not a bad job and do-able.
Hints.

Remove the seat AND the headlight switch. Both easy but will save you time in the long run. U will need a 22mm socket for the steering wheel, a screwdriver, a pair of long nose plyers, a pair of side cutters and a pair of circlip plyers (for the head light switch), some tie wraps.


Dlisconnect battery
Remove stearing wheel
Remove cover (don't forget the two screws on the side)
remove screws holding horn (whatever it is)
Unscrew switch (note it comes out by going down toward the front of the car)
Take out seat
Remove light switch by removing knob and plastic nut (circlip plyers)
Get on your back and study how things are laid out
Push round connector thru hole toward switch
Cut olther cable leaving wires connected to light switch.
Get upright
Remove switch
Push connector thru hole (tight fit)
Push cable thru hole
Get on your back again
Start hooking stuff up the way it came out.
Screw in switch
Hook battery up
Test
Unhook battery
reconnect and reinstall everything.
Reprogram radio
Go drive.

But. Berfore you do any of this check the fuses carefully and replace any that look old.

Have fun.

[tcesar888]

'78 SC - Exact same thing on my end... EXACTLY! Sub'd...

[targa todd]

Barrpete, you are my hero!

That's two of my problems you have solved in record time. First my front condensor fan, now this. The link you provided should be exactly what I need.

Thanks again.

[Barrpete]

Todd,

Best part is someone else did all the real work!

Oh, and if you haven't done it already now's a good time to install the headlight relays. I'm sure all that current flowing through the switch is at least an indirect cause of this problem.

[scottb]

Originally Posted by OldTee

Just happened to me on the 78SC. I replaced the switch. $130 from our host. Not a bad job and do-able.
Hints.

Remove the seat AND the headlight switch. Both easy but will save you time in the long run. U will need a 22mm socket for the steering wheel, a screwdriver, a pair of long nose plyers, a pair of side cutters and a pair of circlip plyers (for the head light switch), some tie wraps.

...


Take out seat

Cut olther cable leaving wires connected to light switch.

...

When I did mine, I was able to do it without removing the seat. Also, I didn't have to cut any wires. I simply unplugged the wires from the back of the headlight switch one at a time and replaced them with the wires from the new high beam switch. It was easy, but time consuming.

[joe payne]

Same thing happened on my 78 sc. Also replaced the entire switch. No more problem...

[jcsjcs]

I repaired mine a few weeks ago - I am not very mechanically inclined (yet), and found it quite easy.

Here is the earlier thread:
Brights keep switching on - '84 Carrera

Spend the $130 on something fun!

[Thrasher]

Guys, if you don't get the Sucros (or other) relays installed, you will be right back where you started on this. I've been down this road, as have many, many others. Use the search button on Sucros+relays and you'll see.

The factory did us all a great disservice by sending the current from the battery, thru the switch, to the lights... the heat does a number on those contacts. A relay will greatly reduce the current (therefore heat) to the switch and save you the hassle in the future.

[OldTee]

Originally Posted by scottb

When I did mine, I was able to do it without removing the seat. Also, I didn't have to cut any wires. I simply unplugged the wires from the back of the headlight switch one at a time and replaced them with the wires from the new high beam switch. It was easy, but time consuming.

Youse is probalby young and slim. I ain't.

[darthracing]

This exact thing happened to me tonight - first rain of the year, I flipped on my HIGH beams with my driving lights and I found my high beams stuck on.

I smelled some burning, so I hope I am in the game as far as the cheap fix.

IS there a proper 911 relay "kit" I can order? I did this on a VW a few years back.

Thanks,Todd

[darthracing]

Yes, looks like the host sells a relay kit, and might be selling me a switch if it turns out to be the fuel for my little fire.

-T

[scottb]

The Sucro relay kit is the way to go. Cheap (about ~$25) and easy to install with good instructions.