Headlight Dimming Problems. Not to do with Switch!
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,592
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From: Toronto, Corporate Canada
Headlight Dimming Problems. Not to do with Switch!
Thought atleast, It was the Switch. One Headlight (HD) goes dim, I gave It a light wack - Crystal Clear. Weeks later same thing. In the same week, the other one goes dim. So I proceed to correct It by giving It a whack. Problem solved.
Tonight the left HD goes dim. I took off the Bezel etc, only to find the Harness Plug Is brittle and crumbling. I clean the contact points with steel wool and reinstall It and brightness again. The exact same thing on the other HD.
Why Is It like this? Before, when the HD(s) were going dim, on my Instrument Cluster, the High Beam light would be going off. But when all was well, the High Beam light would not be lit In the Instrument Cluster unless I activated It.
I don't think It's the Switch but can't figure out why I have a smoked, yet still functioning, HD harness.
Tonight the left HD goes dim. I took off the Bezel etc, only to find the Harness Plug Is brittle and crumbling. I clean the contact points with steel wool and reinstall It and brightness again. The exact same thing on the other HD.
Why Is It like this? Before, when the HD(s) were going dim, on my Instrument Cluster, the High Beam light would be going off. But when all was well, the High Beam light would not be lit In the Instrument Cluster unless I activated It.
I don't think It's the Switch but can't figure out why I have a smoked, yet still functioning, HD harness.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, Corporate Canada
I should also state I am running the new Sylvania Silverstars. However, the smoked Harness existed before this but not the dimming that Is occuring as mentioned above. I thought I would make mention of this know.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
From your description it sounds like a bad harness. They are very prone to burning and becoming brittle. Running with a bad harness will kill the headlight switch.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,592
Likes: 5
From: Toronto, Corporate Canada
Thanks Aaron. Been waiting for a response.
How did the harness end up getting smoked?
Is the entire length of the Harness run from the Switch all the way to the HD'? Or Is there a Plug In b'n seperating/branching off?
How did the harness end up getting smoked?
Is the entire length of the Harness run from the Switch all the way to the HD'? Or Is there a Plug In b'n seperating/branching off?
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 29,798
Likes: 128
From: London, Ontario, Canada
The harness dies because the switch contacts heat up and burn the plastic connector. This is easy to see because it will be scorched....
The headlight switch harness is actually a 3 foot long pigtail that connects to the main harness under the dash. Pretty easy to swap if it is actually the problem.
The headlight switch harness is actually a 3 foot long pigtail that connects to the main harness under the dash. Pretty easy to swap if it is actually the problem.
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Former Rx7 *****
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,534
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From: Mississauga
increase in contact resistance
remember
Power = Current^2 * resistance
power can be thought of in terms of heat disspated.
if R increase. Power increases (in this case heat) enough so to melt the insulation around the harness and cause a short
remember
Power = Current^2 * resistance
power can be thought of in terms of heat disspated.
if R increase. Power increases (in this case heat) enough so to melt the insulation around the harness and cause a short
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