head light problem

Topic: head light problem (Read 1562 times) previous topic - next topic

head light problem

January 10, 2005, 01:06:10 AM

I have a large problem: when I'm driving around at night as of lately, my headlights will just turn off, then in less than a minute turn back on. So, I've gotten In the habit of holding them on with the bright switch. Not too shure of what to check to fix the problem.
:87' thunderbird
:HO 5.0 transplant.
:all the bolt-on mods

Re: head light problem

Reply #1 – January 10, 2005, 06:59:43 AM

Sound like the "thermal overload" switch (circuit breaker) inside the headlight switch is tripping. Any chance you're using "high-power" headlight bulbs that are overloading the system?

If not, check the wiring between the switch and the headlights for a short, maybe a wire that's rubbed through and is touching the body metal somewhere. The "flash to pass" switch bypasses the headlight switch, that's why they stay on that way.

Re: head light problem

Reply #2 – January 10, 2005, 06:57:17 PM

Had an similar problem with mine once.
Low beams wouldwork then shut off,would only work if i used the high beams.
The cause was my highbeam/flasher switch(multifunction switch) had a melted terminal inside that actually sunk down so that it would make contact when cool but not after about a minute when it warmed up.
I took the switch apart heated up the contact and pushed it back up into place, all was good after that.

Re: head light problem

Reply #3 – January 13, 2005, 09:23:48 PM

I also had the same problem, I just replaced the switch and I was fine after that. I got a used one from a junk yard, but make sure that the coiled wire on the side of the switch is not burned into before you buy it.