998ccCityE
1989
Hey guys, someone may have already asked this, but I abhor the search engine on here, it never brings up anything useful. Basically, my headlights rocker switch on my dash is melting. One of the three terminals on the back has sunk into the plastic so it's not connecting and I can't use my headlights. This happened a while back and a put a dollop of solder on top of it and all was well, but now it's sunk so far that the plastic is creeping back over the top of it. Is it common for that switch to get that hot?? Or am I looking at a wiring problem? I have put some halogens in recently if that makes any difference, but if I remember correctly, the first time I had to solder the switch was before they went in, so I don't think they're related.
Cheers for any input guys!
Melting Rocker
Started by
Prime91
, Feb 04 2010 08:09 AM
8 replies to this topic
#2
Tarks
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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:17 AM
id say you certainly have a fault there switchess should never melt!
check all your earths through the headlight wiring to the switch and check that non of your wires are worn bare in areas.
it sounds like you have wires touching or poor earth.
High 100watts bulbs can also do this as there is to much ampage running through the wires to feed these high power bulbs you dont have them fitted do you??
55/60w are std.
check all your earths through the headlight wiring to the switch and check that non of your wires are worn bare in areas.
it sounds like you have wires touching or poor earth.
High 100watts bulbs can also do this as there is to much ampage running through the wires to feed these high power bulbs you dont have them fitted do you??
55/60w are std.
#3
Prime91
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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:27 AM
id say you certainly have a fault there switchess should never melt!
check all your earths through the headlight wiring to the switch and check that non of your wires are worn bare in areas.
it sounds like you have wires touching or poor earth.
High 100watts bulbs can also do this as there is to much ampage running through the wires to feed these high power bulbs you dont have them fitted do you??
55/60w are std.
No they're not 100W, but as soon as I get a chance I'll follow the wires all the way along and look for any noticeable problems cheers!
#4
Guess-Works.com
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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:31 AM
Do you have spot lights wired in to the same circuit ?
#5
Prime91
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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:32 AM
Nope, no spotlightsDo you have spot lights wired in to the same circuit ?
#6
Guess-Works.com
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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:36 AM
Sounds like the usual, melting headlight switch then, it's not uncommon, and to be honest, the solution is replace the switch... Would be worth seeing what current is being drawn by the circuit when you do tho', just to be safe...
#7
akaflash
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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:36 AM
relay your lights in then you will not be running thruogh the switch and your lights will be better
#8
Prime91
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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:42 AM
relay your lights in then you will not be running thruogh the switch and your lights will be better
Sorry bud but I'm still a baby when it comes to electrics
, how would I do that?Guess Works, this is a common thing then? I could have sworn I'd heard somewhere that these things melting wasn't uncommon, but I wasn't sure so I thought I'd check on here. I've got a new switch on the way though
#9
GraemeC
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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:43 AM
The switches were originally designed for sealed beam headlightss. With H4 headlights there is slightly more current draw which does take the switch towards the edge of its operating window - so much so that any corrosion or poor connections in the wiring can push the current draw higher than the switch can handle and cause it to overheat and melt.
Anything added to the lighting circuit or using 'high power' bulbs will also overload the system.
I would go through all the wiring from switch to bulb carefully and thoroughly and make sure all crimps and soldered joints are sound and that all connectors are clean and and securely connected. Then replace the switch for a nice, new fresh one.
If you still have problems then look into using a relay for high beam (and possiby one for low beam too).
Anything added to the lighting circuit or using 'high power' bulbs will also overload the system.
I would go through all the wiring from switch to bulb carefully and thoroughly and make sure all crimps and soldered joints are sound and that all connectors are clean and and securely connected. Then replace the switch for a nice, new fresh one.
If you still have problems then look into using a relay for high beam (and possiby one for low beam too).
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