Headlight problem

mickey356 · 09-03-2009, 02:02 PM

I discovered last night that when I pull the headlight switch my lights didn't come on. The parking lights come on and so do the dash lights but no headlught. After pushing and pulling the switch a few times they came on. It happened twice last night and again today when I was trying to figure it out. The fuses are fine. Is this a switch issue or a wiring issue? Anyone ever deal with anything similar? No electrical work done recently. This seems to have just started happening. Thanks.

Oh Haha · 09-03-2009, 02:07 PM

Time to get a new or slightly used switch. Mine did the same thing until it finally quit altogether. I purchased a used one from a fellow Pelican and, except for my ROW city lights not working, all is well.

I quit dinking around with the city lights to get them to work. Just ran out of patience being under dash.

Here is a good thread on replacing it. You can find many more if you do a search. I thought this one was "best of the bunch" that I found.

Headlights not working properly?

Canada Kev · 09-03-2009, 03:29 PM

Mickey: It is likely your switch. In a pinch, you could take the head light circuit wire and move it to another pin on the switch to get them to light up. This would help if you got stranded somewhere after dark and needed lights. The headlights should be on pin 56 of the switch, I believe.

The switch is really quite easy to remove. I expect that even with an SC, it will be very similar to my Carrera. Just pop the round centre plastic icon piece from your switch. You'll need to use a small flat screwdriver or similar to pry it out. There is a phillips screw in the middle of the switch knob under the cover you just pried off. Take the screw out. Behind the big round knob of the switch, there is a round piece at the base of the splined pin of the switch. It will have two little holes or divots at opposite sides of the round piece. This is the "nut" that holds the switch to the dash. Take a pair of needle nose pliers of similar and put the tips in the two holes and turn the cover out to get it off. It is just threaded onto the pin of the headlight switch. When that is off, just reach under the dash and pull the switch back out towards the underside. There should be enough length on the wires to see the backside of the switch without crawling around on the floor too much. Install your new switch or move the wires around to get your lights to work.

If you don't put in a new switch, make a note to yourself stating exactly what you did and keep it with your maintenance records. A previous owner of my car moved some stuff around on mine and it took a while to figure it all out. YOU could be the next person that has to get it to work and likely after you forgot what all you did. Temporary fixes tend to become semi-permanent...

Wayne: Your city lights don't work at all? They should come on with the parking light circuit. Was your car "federalized", with the addition of new running/turn signal lights on the bumper? Did they ever work? If your rear running lights work, then it is unlikely that it is the switch that is your problem.

mickey356 · 09-03-2009, 04:06 PM

Thanks Kevin!!!!! I was just logging on to cry for help because not only are my headlights out so are my fog lights so all I have is parking lights and I gotta drive home tonight.
I'm going out to try to switch wires now. If it doesn't work it looks like it's gonna be parking lights and a huge flashlight out the window. Thankfully I only live 4 miles from work.

mickey356 · 09-03-2009, 04:20 PM

Kevin, you just made my Christmas Card List!!!!!! At least I can get home tonight. I don't know what wire I disconnected but all lights are still working so I'm OK with it. I'll still get a new switch but at least I can get by until I get it. Thanks again!!!!!!
This site is the greatest!!!!

Canada Kev · 09-03-2009, 05:06 PM

Glad things worked out for you.

You might not be getting fog lights because there is no voltage to your head lights. I believe your H/Ls need to be on for the fogs to work. Once you replace your switch, your fogs might work. Try them now that your H/Ls are working. If they now work, it's the of the faulty H/L switch that is messing with your fog lights.

myamoto1 · myamoto1's Garage

When you do get a new switch, I'd highly recommend the headlight relay kit. Only takes a few minutes to install and will ensure this is the last time you have to replace the switch. It will also protect your highbeam switch on the column (this may actually be your problem, not the pull switch). Draco A50G on this board sells the one I bought.

My lights went out one night, and I could only get the high beams to work by constantly pulling back on the stalk. I pulled the steering wheel off and examined the switch and w/ some tweaking was able restore functionality. My "flash" pull back feature doesn't work, but highs and lows are back. If I find the post I used to repair mine, I'll post it.

EDIT: Here's the link:

turn signal switch quick fix pictures