'83 SC Brights Inadvertently Come On

Gordo2 · Gordo2's Garage

Folks,

When driving with my headlights on, my brights come on when I go over a bump or after I use my turn signal. Kind of anoying both for me and the people in front of me who are wondering why I keep brighting them. Think the problem is with the switch cluster on the column.

Can this be fixed or do I need to replace the entire switch assembly?

How much of a PITA is this job?

Thanks, Gordo

autobonrun · autobonrun's Garage

Common problem. I'd replace the entire switch assembly. Once you go to the effort of going into the steering column, you may as well put in a new switch. In the short term. fold over a matchbook cover or thin piece of cardboard and wedge it in next to the switch to hold it in the desired position. There's a little space between the switch and the steering column where it can fit. I used this method for a short period until I could get my switch replaced. At least it stops the brights from coming on when you hit a bump.

Wayne has an article on replacement in his 101 Projects Book. He rates it 2 out of 4 as far as difficulty. The only real issue I recall is making sure the tires are straight ahead when you remove the steering wheel and make sure the steering wheel goes back on in the same position (assuming its straight to start with).

ccandgc · ccandgc's Garage

also, while youre at it, throw in a couple of headlite relays to save your new switch from toasting!

stlrj · 12-26-2002, 09:51 PM

Or you could remove your steering wheel and plastic covers to expose the switch so you can bend the vertical metal strip slightly to give the bright beam contacts some added clearance.

Cheers,

Joe

Kemo · 12-27-2002, 06:39 AM

I had a similar problem until i got a cover for the fuse box in the front trunk. I cant explain it...but I swear the problem went away after that.

Doug E · 12-27-2002, 06:55 AM

Gordo - that's what you get for only paying $1,000, wait I mean $7,500, for your SC

Seriously, I think the experts have already nailed the solution so I was just trying to supply the humor.

Later,

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

definitely add the relays...it's cheap insurance against having to do this again in a year. A search on headlight relay will yield a bunch of "how-to" threads.

Jeff · 12-27-2002, 08:17 AM

I second Joe's suggestion. I had the same problem and was ready to order a new switch. Took the switch off and found one of the contacts needed bending. Works great now. It isn't that difficult to get the switch off and you get to learn its inner workings.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Some can be repaired others need to be replaced.....it comes from flashing at too many other P-cars....

masraum · 12-27-2002, 10:40 AM

I was able to bend the contact myself, but after I added a relay for the lights so I wouldn't/shouldn't have any future problems

Superman · 12-27-2002, 11:00 AM

I repaired mine, and then installed relays. I expect no further problems. Borrow your wife's fingernail file. It is thin enough to get in there and poke around, and the abrasive surface can clean the copper contacts. Be sure it is a brown abrasive, not the black or grey kind.

Gordo2 · Gordo2's Garage

I'm going for broke, thinking I will use the matchbook method until I decide to spring for a new light set up (new switch assy, H-4's with high watt bulbs, relays & rewire w/heavier gauge).

If I use the matchbook and leave it that way would it put me in the running with Superman for the cheapskate of the board award?

Thanks, Gordo

Superman · 12-27-2002, 10:51 PM

"Cheapskate" means the same as "resourceful."

Kurt B · 06:03 PM

Mine did this exact same thing. When I hit a bump, they flashed the people in front of me.
I took off the plastic in the column and got at the switch. You just need to bend the copper connectors so they don't rub..I don't remember the details, but once you get in there, it's pretty obvious. do search for my name and "brights" and you ought to find anything I noted if I commented after I finished the job.

I found it. Someone put a pic in there too.
Brights problem

stlrj · 12-28-2002, 10:01 PM

Bending the cooper strip works fine as a temporary fix but I found that I would have to do it again in 6 months...what a PITA. A more permanent fix is to bend the thicker steel strip on the right to make it push or pre load the bright contacts with added clearance. Doing so will also prevent the brights from coming on even if you gently wiggle the stalk back and forth.

Joe

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

Talk to Leland about the mysterious melting switches! Anyways, this is an easy fix, and a common failure - check the 101 book for the swapout procedure...

-Wayne

stlrj · 10:19 AM

I had my column switch replaced less than 5 yrs ago ($75 plus labor) when it started acting up again. Frustrated, I had to get to the bottom of this recurring problem, that's how I came up with the "bend the steel strip" routine. Only now do I feel confident that this has become a thing of the past.

Joe

Joeaksa · 12-29-2002, 06:03 AM

Gordo,

Have the same thing with my lights for the last few months and too damm busy to pull the steering wheel right now. Good to know I am not the only one. Not going to worry with relays as I am running stock lights for now.

Joe

ccandgc · ccandgc's Garage

I replaced my switch and noticed that my stock lights were less than what I expected, sort of a yellowish glow....sort of like a 6V system. So I replaced both bulbs and fuses....no change. I put on the relays, and wow! what a difference! It took all of half an hour to put the relays on.

Joeaksa · 12-29-2002, 09:14 AM

Chad,

If you had that big of a difference in the lighting, then you probably had some corrosion in the wiring going to the lights in the first place. Granted, relays does offer a big boost in power to the lights but unless you are running larger bulbs or more lights the actual output should not be that different in a correctly working stock system.

Joe