Can U Bypass Bad Headlight Switch ?

[roadsubiedog]

headlights don't work on 84 gl. tailights worked until i started playing with the headlight switch and then fuse blew.

 

checked fuses and fusible link. they appear fine. even changed them all.

 

high beams work if i hold in turn arm on steering column. but tailight fuse keeps blowing if i play with the headlight switch.

 

i took the switch from behind dash and see that all the connections are soldered, and the switch goes round and round without clicking from tail to headlights.

 

my question is before i try to find a new switch can i bypass it somehow and have the lights and tailights on all the time?

[desertsubaru]

Since the ignition has to be on for the lights to work then it should only be a matter of temporally jumping the right wires for them to stay on while the car is started.

[The FNG]

The only issue I see with that is that if the lights are on while trying to start the car, it may not provide enough amperage to start the car. It seems like these cars have pretty weak starting systems (at least mine does). If you want, pm me I may have a lead on a new switch for you. It is actually really easy to replace.

[desertsubaru]

I leave my light switch on all the time and my car starts with no problem.

[987687]

What do you mean play with the switch?

If you turn the headlight switch to have the headlights on, and that blows the fuse. I doubt it's the switch, it sounds like a short somewhere along the line to the lights. Possibly even at the lights, have you checked the bulb connectors?

[The FNG]

I leave my light switch on all the time and my car starts with no problem.

 

It was just a suggestion. If it works that way, then all the better. I was just stating that it may not work for mine. I also did not red the original post correctly. If it blew a fuse when turned on, then I would be looking for a short. Look for wear points where the wires are in the engine bay. If you have one to use, you can always megger the wires too. That would tell you right away if you had a short.

[roadsubiedog]

What do you mean play with the switch?

If you turn the headlight switch to have the headlights on, and that blows the fuse. I doubt it's the switch, it sounds like a short somewhere along the line to the lights. Possibly even at the lights, have you checked the bulb connectors?

 

 

the switch is no longer clicking from the tail to headlight setting. i took the switch out.

 

i will check the bulb connections. one of the low beams has a lot of water in it but was working ok before they all went out . ( condensation?)