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Topic: Dead Headlights (Read 1889 times) previous topic - next topic

Dead Headlights

I need some help (what's new:grinno: ).  Sometimes when driving, my headlights cut in and out.  The highbeams still work, but they wont stay on.  The switch panel always feels hot.  My brother replaced the switch a couple years ago, but spliced some wires.  I'm still trying to sodder them, but cant seem to get it right.  Any ideas?
1988 Thunderbird Sport (1st car)
351W in the works
"I'll get it one piece at a time...":D

Quote from: bhazard;300566
You got woman'd.

Dead Headlights

Reply #1
headlight switch

multifunction switch

check wiring

Dead Headlights

Reply #2
Wires touching where they shouldn't,exposed wire.If you can't solder them,get some wire connecters and crimp them together,then wrap them tightly with electrcal tape.
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

Dead Headlights

Reply #3
Multifunction switch.
Had the exact same problem on mine a few years back,contact melted and pushed through inside the switch.

Dead Headlights

Reply #4
I had this same problem. just driving down the road and no lights then they came back on even flickered on and off a few times.  For me it turned out to be the plug that pluged into the dimmer/turn signal switch. The main headlight power wire metal conector wasn't making a tight connection. I replaced the headlight switch and the dimmer never looked at the wireing very much until the problem wouldn't go away. Turned out it was that py metal connector. I just cut it off and put on a push on style speaker terminal. Works great now and has been that way for awhile.
84 Turbo coupe 2.3T Modded with 88 upper and lower intake, 88 injectors, E6 manifold, T3-4 AR.60 turbo, 31X12X3 FMIC, Homemade MBC , Greddy knock off BPV.
4 eyes see better than 2! 
Da Bird!

FreeBird

Dead Headlights

Reply #5
Have you figured out the problem?
'88 Sport--T-5,MGW shifter,Trick Flow R intake,Ed Curtis cam,Trick Flow heads,Scorpion rockers,75mm Accufab t-body,3G,mini starter,Taurus fan,BBK long tube headers,O/R H-Pipe, Flowamaster Super 44's, deep and deeper Cobra R wheels, Mass Air and 24's,8.8 with 3.73's,140 mph speedo,Mach 1 chin spoiler,SN-95 springs,CHE control arms,aluminum drive shaft and a lot more..

 

Dead Headlights

Reply #6
Not yet.  The day after i posted, the weather got real bad and now I'm snowed in.  Hopefully i can get out tommarrow. 
And i think it might be the headlight switch.  My brother said the same thing happend to him, and that is why he replaced it.
1988 Thunderbird Sport (1st car)
351W in the works
"I'll get it one piece at a time...":D

Quote from: bhazard;300566
You got woman'd.

Dead Headlights

Reply #7
Well, I pulled two switches from the JY, tore them down, cleaned them up, and installed one.  I cant really test it, because they cut out after about 30 min., so I'll drive around one night to test.  the dimmer switch is acting up, but thats fine.  the brass contacts on the old one looked pretty burnt up.  if it happens again, i might look at the multi functon switch.  Is this a common problem?
1988 Thunderbird Sport (1st car)
351W in the works
"I'll get it one piece at a time...":D

Quote from: bhazard;300566
You got woman'd.

Dead Headlights

Reply #8
Finally got to test, drove around for over an hour, which is longer than it usually takes for them to cut out.  The Panel gets a little hot, but i guess that is normal.
1988 Thunderbird Sport (1st car)
351W in the works
"I'll get it one piece at a time...":D

Quote from: bhazard;300566
You got woman'd.

Dead Headlights

Reply #9
Relays. Install them and you shouldn't have a problem ever again, with heat or anything. You can get premade ones that plug straight into your headlight socket and you just attach the other wires to the battery (or starter relay) and ground to a bolt somewhere in the engine bay. I purchased my original one through summit for $40
1988 Thunderbird Sport