Pan: Headlight Switch headache

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by PanZer, Jul 4, 2019.

  1. Cheers. Although i’ve read about dimming the dash I’ve never seen on mine that it is possible. I’ll look in to it more though. Thanks.


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  2. I definitely want one of these!!


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  3. If no one can do them on here, I'll see how much Campbells in Medway charge to make some more.
     
  4. Thanks for all the help so far :)
    Finally wired my new Headlight Switch in accordance with previously posted diagrams. All seems great, however some issues/questions remain:

    •Terminal #56 still gets red hot when headlights are on, but not just with sidelights (dimmer doesn’t seem to alter this)
    •#30 shows a split Red 0.5 wire going to dash, but I don’t have that nor know where on the dash it goes to or what it’s for
    •With no #57 on the switch, how do I wire in the Parking Light Warning light on the dash?
    •Can my RPM bulb, which is a T4W bulb, piggy back #58b and just take an earth from it somewhere?

    I got around the escutcheon nut issue by filing down the sides to use an adjustable spanner in future...
    [​IMG]

    Cheers folks.
     
  5. I am having some more tools made, just waiting for the bloke to come back off holiday.
     
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  6. If #56 is still getting hot and you have cleaned and tightened it perhaps the wire is not tight in the crimp connector itself, just a thought,
    A
     
  7. Thanks for that.
    I haven’t actually cleaned and tightened it, so i’ll try that tomorrow first.
    Did chase it back to the fuse and all seems ok that end.
    I noticed that it only gets hot when the ignition is engaged (not necessarily with engine running). So it’s fine without any power going through the ignition.


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  8. [​IMG]
    Success!
    Decided to just change the ancient connector on that overheating wire and all seems ok...unless the insulation is now disguising it heating up, but I doubt it as it was untouchable before.

    Wired my RPM bulb to #58 on the Headlight Switch and seems to work just fine.

    Now...the only outstanding annoyance is the fact that for some reason the High Beam/Flasher Light is pathetic! Haha Don’t know why it doesn’t illuminate fully like all the others do. Weird.

    Anyway. Practically there now. Thanks folks.


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    paradox likes this.
  9. Another triumph of will over wiring...or in this particular case, a tiny piece of plastic.
    [​IMG]
    It was greatly annoying me that for some reason my High Beam dash light was pathetic. Tried wires, connectors, bulbs, fuse etc to no avail. Eventually decided to take dash apart to see if anything was hindering the illumination. Sure enough, a small piece of plastic...
    [​IMG]
    Purposely cut to fit but lord knows why so took it out and let there be light...
    [​IMG]


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  10. Gingerbus

    Gingerbus Supporter

    Good find! I’ve often wondered the same thing but couldn’t be arsed to investigate.
    Why would they do that?!


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  11. If I don’t make it to Techenders we will know that the piece of plastic is actually an integral part to the functionality of the whole machine. Maybe I should pack it just in case.
    If yours is the same as mine it is well worth the few minutes taking it out. Still isn’t bright enough, nor the rest of the Dash, to see in daylight though.


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  12. On mine you just turn the headlight switch clockwise and the dash lights become brighter
     
  13. mcswiggs

    mcswiggs Supporter

    Similar to mine. But on mine it goes from dim to even dimmer...
     
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  14. nicktuft

    nicktuft Supporter

    Bit late in the day but this might be of help.
    Did this about 15 years ago hope its legible.

    20190912_193419switch.jpg

    Had to photograph it from a print out.

    It sorted my problem as I still have a side light warning light working in the dash.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2019
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  15. You need to swap your battery terminals round. Then it'll work the right way :thumbsup:
     
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  16. mcswiggs

    mcswiggs Supporter

    What? Reverse the polarity? I’ve seen tv programmes on what happens when you do that sort of thing.
     
  17. I was kidding ;). Hopefully you haven’t done it...
     
  18. I suspect that little blue light will now be blinding at night, the mask is to only allow enough light to be emitted so you know the main beam is on. Of course that was 40+ years ago, with shiny new bulbs and brand new cable, things may be a little dimmer now.
     
    snotty likes this.
  19. Interesting. Thanks. I thought it must have served a purpose, but as you say, 40 years have passed and its new purpose was to hinder my ability to see it was on haha
    Cheers for the info.


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