Ethan Posted November 11, 2019 Share Posted November 11, 2019 My headlights were not working so I traced the problem back to the switch, and I found this. I believe this is the rheostat that is causing the problem. I do not know how to fix this problem. Is it possible to get a new one, I dont believe this could be repaired, I could be wrong though. All other light switches I have found are aftermarket and do not have the three notches or settings like the original. Any help is appreciated!! Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted November 11, 2019 Share Posted November 11, 2019 The rheostat serves to adjust the brightness of lights within the instrument cluster only. Not the headlights. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Posted November 11, 2019 Author Share Posted November 11, 2019 That you for your response. Before I took out the light switch all the interior lights and parking lights worked. Also I could dim the interior lights. What could be causing the headlights to not work? There was no power at the headlights or at the dimmer switch on the floor board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted November 11, 2019 Share Posted November 11, 2019 Ethan, what car are we discussing? The dimmer switch WILL NOT have power if the headlight switch does not. The dimmer switch receives power THROUGH the headlight switch. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gdmn852 Posted November 11, 2019 Share Posted November 11, 2019 Does the switch itself have a circuit breaker or fuses on it? Might be worth checking switch if it’s out of car with a hot lead on input and test light on the outlets and also check the input on car to make sure the switch is getting power,sounds like it is with the other lights working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ethan Posted November 12, 2019 Author Share Posted November 12, 2019 Yes that is important information!! It is a 57 Buick Special. No fuse on the fuse panel and that rheostat is the only thing resembling a fuse in the switch. I thought that was the fuse. I am new and learning!! Thank you for your imput!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 (edited) Headlight switches (or at least headlight switches that have a rheostat like what you posted) typically have a circuit breaker for the headlights inside. You might not be able to see the breaker. No fuse. The circuit breaker is thermal and will TRY to turn the headlights back on after being tripped, unlike a fuse. The wire supplying headlight power to the switch might be a different one that what powers the other lights. Some or all of the other lights are probably fused. If none of these guys know, you are probably going to need a wiring diagram to figure that out. Edited November 12, 2019 by Bloo (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beemon Posted November 12, 2019 Share Posted November 12, 2019 Sometime, and in the case of my switch, the slider block that controls the headlights and park lights will corrode. You need to disassemble the switch and clean the contacts in there so they are nice and shiny copper again. Be careful not to lose the tension spring. It is a PITA to put back together. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now