Light Switch Problem

[1986_caprice]

The light switch controlling the headlights and the interior lights (the speedometer, gas, ect "night light") is not working. The head light part of the switch works but the interior lights does not work. I have taken apart the dash the when I manually connect the wires the lights work, so I assume that it is the switch. I have looked at the hayes manual but I can't figure it out for sure.

My question would be: can I jimmy the switch so it does work or will that be dangerous (I think the switch might be a protective relay). Or does anyone know the wiring diagram. From the top it is black-empty-red- yellow-orange-empty.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks
Dan F

[kpw olds]

Originally Posted by 1986_caprice

The light switch controlling the headlights and the interior lights (the speedometer, gas, ect "night light") is not working. The head light part of the switch works but the interior lights does not work. I have taken apart the dash the when I manually connect the wires the lights work, so I assume that it is the switch. I have looked at the hayes manual but I can't figure it out for sure.

My question would be: can I jimmy the switch so it does work or will that be dangerous (I think the switch might be a protective relay). Or does anyone know the wiring diagram. From the top it is black-empty-red- yellow-orange-empty.

The interior lights are controlled by a rheostat that is actually located in front of the actually on/off light switch. The rheostat should be individually replaceable.

The light switch actually has a built-in circuit breaker for the headlights. All other lights go through their respective fuses.

I don't think I would try to rig the lights. Just see about the rheostat. It might just need cleaning as a "cam" on the shaft closes some contacts that are visible. Maybe a contact got bent?

Good luck!

[magicalninja1981]

Originally Posted by kpw olds

The light switch actually has a built-in circuit breaker for the headlights. All other lights go through their respective fuses.

Good luck!

Where is the built in circuit breaker located? I have a problem with my 86 parisienne. When I switch the lights on I have high beams but no low beams.

I changed out the white 3 prong switch under the dash, turned the lights on and the low beams worked again (while the car was off). I started the car up and the darn things shut off again.... still had high beams though?!?! What's up with that?

Just wondering if that was the c. breaker that I changed out or if you were talking about something else.


just a few other things I noticed. the radio would turn off sometimes when I hit the breaks or switched the lites from low to high. This started on the day that the low beams stopped comming on. what else... ohhh the same night the lights when out, when the beams were switched from low to hi or hit the breaks the dash lites would dim quite a bit!

[HLandin]

Hey 1986_Caprice, my '90 had a similar problem: the headlights would turn on but the dash lighting didn't work. The lights are turned on by a button you push in to the lower left of the steering wheel. To the right of that button should be an adjustable resistor a.k.a. rheostat that controls how bright or low your dash lighting is. That is what when bad and caused the dash lighting not to work. My advice would be to replace that rheostat and your problem should be solved. Let me know what happens.