Re: Instrument Panel Dimmer Switch Problem
Posted by HH56 On 2017/8/21 11:59:53
The headlight switch is notorious for the contacts oxidizing on the rheostat section and killing instrument lights.
Factory wiring is the lights are powered via a short jumper from the double tail light terminal in the middle of the switch to a single outer terminal on the ceramic section same side as the tail light terminal. They are on with the headlight switch in either position and are dimmed or turned off by the combo rheostat/switch. Dash lights come off a double terminal in the center of the ceramic. The single terminal on the opposite side of the switch is for the courtesy lights and gets grounded when the switch is turned to the left.
The rheostat section of the switch is not able to be removed for cleaning easily because rivets have to be drilled out and then replaced with something. You may have some luck with contact cleaner but generally you can't direct the spray unless the switch is out of the car. You can bend the tabs and disassemble the switch section and then remove the shaft and wipers for a partial cleaning. If the rivets holding the terminals have loosened and oxidation has started between the terminals and rheostat sections it is usually a futile effort to keep it from recurring.
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Factory wiring is the lights are powered via a short jumper from the double tail light terminal in the middle of the switch to a single outer terminal on the ceramic section same side as the tail light terminal. They are on with the headlight switch in either position and are dimmed or turned off by the combo rheostat/switch. Dash lights come off a double terminal in the center of the ceramic. The single terminal on the opposite side of the switch is for the courtesy lights and gets grounded when the switch is turned to the left.
The rheostat section of the switch is not able to be removed for cleaning easily because rivets have to be drilled out and then replaced with something. You may have some luck with contact cleaner but generally you can't direct the spray unless the switch is out of the car. You can bend the tabs and disassemble the switch section and then remove the shaft and wipers for a partial cleaning. If the rivets holding the terminals have loosened and oxidation has started between the terminals and rheostat sections it is usually a futile effort to keep it from recurring.
Attach file:
(52.64 KB)
(37.33 KB)
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