Headlights not getting power

[Van0079]

1988 model. I already rebuilt the motors a while ago, and the headlights had been working with no problems until just last night. Push the button on the dash and the interior and parking lights come on, but nothing for the headlights. Manually cranked one to check and the bulb has no power either. High beam indicator didn't come on when activated. What's the first place to look to track this problem down? They were working earlier that evening too, driving home with just my fog lamps wasn't very fun...

 

Looking at the schematics, unless I'm misreading it the hi-lo relay seems to be separate from the motor controls. Would this be an issue in the switch housing, or am I looking at this wrong?

Edited November 28 by Van0079 (see edit history)

[Van0079]

Went ahead and switched the relays. The lights worked for a couple of presses before failing again, so I'm assuming it's in the switch housing. Went ahead and pulled it out (didn't realize Eaton made these...) and just a quick glance I can already see there's some heat damage around two of the contacts. Scraped off a small chunk of black plastic from one of the leads, and did a quick continuity test on them. Lights off and no connection, lights on and I can get a spotty connection if I apply some pressure to the contact, but just bare touch and I get nothing. I'm going to open this and see if it's fixable, but is there a good way to prevent the contacts from melting due to the heat? I've looked this issue up before, seems some people rig a relay into the circuit, but the links I've followed have died over the years.

 

Edit: Yeah, prying it open and the melting contacts are definitely the problem. Good thing it's a four day weekend for me... If anyone has ideas, I'm all ears. Not sure if soldering some wires to reduce load on the board would help.

 

 

 

Edited November 29 by Van0079 (see edit history)

[2seater]

The most common way to take all the load from the precious switches is to install a relay harness that powers directly from the battery. They are inexpensive and it solves all sorts of problems, including hi powered lights or LED's that don't retract the headlights.

 

For headlight switch repair I strongly suggest Jim Finn on this forum. He rebuilds yours or has rebuilt ones.

[Barney Eaton]

You are also fortunate that you have a 1988...... Riviera used the same headlight switch