HEADLIGHTS stuck on high beam ! ! !
Thread Starter
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,316
Likes: 144
From: Southern Mississippi
HEADLIGHTS stuck on high beam ! ! !
OK, Ever since I have had my 88 turbo (for 9 months) the headlight "high beam flasher" never really worked without really pulling back with effort. Last night I used my bright lamps on the way home. When I got home, I pulled back to turn the brights to dim. The lever clicked back normally but the lights stayed bright. This afternoon, I drove the car and the brights are still stuck on, no matter what the setting is "clicked to.
I can't figure out how to remove the collumn cover (the two, small screws didn't do much).
Need advice, thanksm mark
I can't figure out how to remove the collumn cover (the two, small screws didn't do much).
Need advice, thanksm mark
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 435
From: kansas
Yep, need a new switch.
Short term, fold a piece of paper up and press in the space behind the stalk until it keeps the switch forward. At least it will let you drive without blinding others until you get to the repair. The cover of a matchbook works great.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,212
Likes: 3
From: Bernardsville, NJ
Mine did that. It was the switch (the turn signal stalk/high beam switch). It isn't expensive, and is easy to replace. When wiring up, thread the new cable into the column before disconnecting the old switch. Then, move the wires from the old switch to the new one wire by wire, so that they don't get confused. When all are replaced, remove the old switch and pull out its wiring.
Advanced
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Apex, NC
What happens over time is that the metal contact for the high beams bends. My Carrera was beginning to have the same problem, so when I had the wheel off to replace the steering column bushing, I just bent the contact back into place with a pair of needle nose pliers. Took all of 5 minutes. Take a look at this thread on Pelican:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...n+signal+stalk
You have nothing to lose. If this does not fix it, then you buy a new switch anyway.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showt...n+signal+stalk
You have nothing to lose. If this does not fix it, then you buy a new switch anyway.
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,001
Likes: 3
From: Sunny Oregon
Part of the reason this happens is due to the high current that goes through those contacts. Over time the contacts corrode and heat up causing the failure.
Do yourself a favor and install some headlamp relays. Marus Sucro (http://members.rennlist.com/msucro1/relaykit.htm) makes a nice setup as does Daniel Stern.
Here is the wirng diagram I used:
Do yourself a favor and install some headlamp relays. Marus Sucro (http://members.rennlist.com/msucro1/relaykit.htm) makes a nice setup as does Daniel Stern.
Here is the wirng diagram I used:
Wallflower
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,552
Likes: 3
From: NW Arkansas
My switch burned up quite some time back. Hadn't really driven at night on roads where I needed the high-beams, but when I clicked them on, I started smelling electrical burning. Couldn't turn the high-beams off no matter how I held the stalk or anything. Smell eventually went away and high-beams were on until I replaced the switch.
Bummer is I think I got a bad switch as it won't stay in the right turn position, so you have to hold it there.
Bummer is I think I got a bad switch as it won't stay in the right turn position, so you have to hold it there.
