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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Electrical => Topic started by: Cs Tree Needs on May 02, 2019, 07:56:49 AM
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the floor dimmer shorted out the other night, due to chewed wires + loose wires into clip (age + possibly hungry mice).
can i "quick fix" it by connecting the "hot" from the headlight switch to the low beam.
I'm not worried about hi/low switching...just working headlights for now.
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Welcome to the site.
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the floor dimmer shorted out the other night, due to chewed wires + loose wires into clip (age + possibly hungry mice).
can i "quick fix" it by connecting the "hot" from the headlight switch to the low beam.
I'm not worried about hi/low switching...just working headlights for now.
Yes, I've done it before in a pinch. Make sure you connect the right 2 wires as to have low beams.
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i would imagine you could but i wouldnt due to the fact if i rig something i might now fix it later.
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thanx fellas...confirmation = confidence w/ electrical ideas!!!
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my headlight dimmer on floor melted the other night,
the wires were "chewed + worn" before hand.
so to get lights "for now" i bypassed melted dimmer and connected the hot/yellow and high beam wires.
that got me HOT wires fairly quickly,
i switched and connected the low beam and have a lil warmth after bit,
I noticed both lights on 1 side have moisture inside, might this have anything to do with my problem?
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i would image the amp draw on the wires being somewhat high. the switch prob gets warm but its encased into a shell so there direct contact for heat to be felt. the rigged connection prob isnt the greatest and that is causing resistance/heat.
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Several years ago I added relays under the hood so that the headlight power does not go through the switch. All the switch does now is provide very low amp power for the relay activation, and the high amp power runs directly from the battery over to the headlights.
I also pulled an additional power junction (like the one on the firewall) from an old truck, so I now have a power point on the passenger side fenderwell next to the battery. I used an old alternator charge wire and fusible link to connect the new power point directly to the battery positive.
Bruce
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my headlight dimmer on floor melted the other night,
the wires were "chewed + worn" beforehand.
so to get lights "for now" i bypassed melted dimmer and connected the hot/yellow and high beam wires.
that got me HOT wires fairly quickly,
i switched and connected the low beam and have a lil warmth after bit,
I noticed both lights on 1 side have moisture inside, might this have anything to do with my problem?
Honestly, you need to find a proper solution to control environmental exposure and rodent activity or you will never achieve lasting success over any repair. :o
Even considering a tight budget and limited time constraints, the "defining problem" will be NOT AFFECTING proper repair at the onset. The cost of repair will be greater than a shortcut, initially, but quite possibly less in the long term. Replace or repair the damaged wiring and then replace the melted dimmer switch, including a new connector. In addition, replace the compromised headlamps that contain visible moisture. Retrofitting headlamp relays with heavier gauge wire, as suggested, is an excellent upgrade that provides both immediate and long-term benefit with zero regrets. Any other "temporary" approach is dubious and tempts fate, inviting a plague of endless grief.