911 Headlights Main beam / Dip problem

[Stephen William]

Hi,

The head lights on my 1983 911 SC keep going to main beam. Pretty sure it's the wiper stalk / switch thats the problem. Can the switch be cleaned or does it need to be replaced?
I had the same problem 20 years ago on another 911 & a new switch fixed the problem, slightly short of cash right now!

[Joe Bob]

Doesn't hurt to try....some have claimed success. Pencil eraser, contact cleaner and sometimes bending of contacts.

[RSTarga]

you might be able to clean up the contacts, you need a pair of relays on your headlights to avoid this again.

[uwanna]

Do a search! There are many threads on this very problem.

[Stephen William]

Originally Posted by uwanna

Do a search! There are many threads on this very problem.

Many thanks for your help, I was having a problem with the search function which is why I posted the question!

For anybody else who finds this thread, the most detailed answer with pictures is here
turn signal switch quick fix pictures

[dshepp806]

both cleaning and retensioning will get you back in the game,...I've a nice burnisher that works great at cleaning the contacts,..however, my resolution was assisted with retensioning (bending) the offending arm..

BEST!

Doyle

[nettles503]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

you might be able to clean up the contacts, you need a pair of relays on your headlights to avoid this again.

How would relays would solve the problem, as the high beam switch would still be in the circuit? It would just trip the relays instead of the headlights directly, no? What am I missing here?

[redridge]

this prob is mostly mechanical, the cleaning part is due to electrical arcing. The relay will help in this aspect as well as keeping the heat down, which in turn will help the mechanical aspect of the switch. So the relays will help.... but won't totally eliminate the OP prob.

[RSTarga]

Right now all the current to the headlights is going through the switch. With the relays the headlight current goes through the relays and bypasses the switch. Right now the current overheats the switch and weakens the contacts. Your headlights will be brighter too. Normally it is 2 relays one for high beams and one for low beams.

[fastfredracing]

Originally Posted by dshepp806

both cleaning and retensioning will get you back in the game,...I've a nice burnisher that works great at cleaning the contacts,..however, my resolution was assisted with retensioning (bending) the offending arm..

BEST!

Doyle

Just did this on Saturday with my old SC, took me maybe a little more than an hour. I also had to retension the arm. Works like a charm

[nettles503]

Originally Posted by RSTarga

Right now all the current to the headlights is going through the switch. With the relays the headlight current goes through the relays and bypasses the switch. Right now the current overheats the switch and weakens the contacts. Your headlights will be brighter too. Normally it is 2 relays one for high beams and one for low beams.

Cool! Thx for the explanation.