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-   -   Headlight question (http://www.clubcobra.com/forums/classic-roadsters-ii/144627-headlight-question.html)

eaks 03-23-2021 05:45 PM
I think I figured it out guys. It jumped around and went to a harness end with nothing connected. I point-pointed and verified I had my switched hot (from relay) and the wiring to go to both the low and high beam fuse. I did a quick test just by putting a short between the hot and low/high and everything worked as it should.

I believe I have an old GM column (not sure what it is). I think I will just install the dimmer switch mentioned by 74PROii and mount it either through the dash or somewhere accessible and out of the way.

One issue down many more to go I am sure (although this was the big one).

Still trying to decide how I want to wire that 3 position switch but will think about it and go from there. EDIT: Decided to throw a diode in and do it an easier way. Down is parking lights only and up is headlights+parking lights. Low/high will be controlled by my dimmer switch once it comes in on friday.

Thanks for all the help and I am very surprised with the responses I got from this community in such a short time frame (i expected it would go a week before anyone gave any things to try). Looks like I joined the right community.

Thanks

74proii 03-23-2021 11:05 PM
The dimmer switch i talked about was floor mounted, left side of floorboard. It only cycles between high and low beams. Please do not confuse the dash dimmer switches, they control the amount of light at the gauges. (e.g. bright to off)

Roylerumble 03-24-2021 07:34 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by 74proii (Post 1490763)
The dimmer switch i talked about was floor mounted, left side of floorboard. It only cycles between high and low beams. Please do not confuse the dash dimmer switches, they control the amount of light at the gauges. (e.g. bright to off)
here is a link to a floor mounted switch that was used in 60's and 70's mopars

https://partsavatar.ca/1962-1965-dod...SABEgI6PfD_BwE

eaks 03-24-2021 07:58 AM
Thanks I did order one already off amazon and should be here tomorrow or Friday. Once I get that in I will clean up all the wiring again and should be good to go until I find something else to look into.

I was really hoping to find a switch I could dash mount with a light symbol on it but all the ones I found were either off or on..

I was very confused with them calling these dimmer switches which I guess they still are but I was thinking like a potentiometerand not just a 2 position switch.

When it shows up and I get it installed I will update and should be good to go.

Thanks for allthe help

cycleguy55 03-24-2021 02:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by eaks (Post 1490777)
Thanks I did order one already off amazon and should be here tomorrow or Friday. Once I get that in I will clean up all the wiring again and should be good to go until I find something else to look into.

I was really hoping to find a switch I could dash mount with a light symbol on it but all the ones I found were either off or on..

I was very confused with them calling these dimmer switches which I guess they still are but I was thinking like a potentiometerand not just a 2 position switch.

When it shows up and I get it installed I will update and should be good to go.

Thanks for allthe help
As you've discovered, headlamp dimmer switches aren't like household dimmers, they're just to switch between 'low' beams and 'high' beams.

I had thought about using a push button and a latching relay (like my '75 VW Rabbit), but I'm wiring mine with a toggle switch that will actuate a relay, switching between low and high beams. There will also be a blue high beam indicator lamp wired in to indicate when high beams are on.

eaks 03-25-2021 08:11 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cycleguy55 (Post 1490792)
As you've discovered, headlamp dimmer switches aren't like household dimmers, they're just to switch between 'low' beams and 'high' beams.

I had thought about using a push button and a latching relay (like my '75 VW Rabbit), but I'm wiring mine with a toggle switch that will actuate a relay, switching between low and high beams. There will also be a blue high beam indicator lamp wired in to indicate when high beams are on.
Yeah I considered wiring in an extra relay and as the headlights are on a 3 position switch was considering down would be low beams+parking and middle off and top high beams with parking. But then I figured that going completely black while switching to high beams may not be the best idea (even for a fraction of a second). And I thought down for just parking and up for headlights with the dimmer to control high/low wasn't too bad of an idea. If I dont like it I can always modify later especially since I have gone through the circuits and know where the wiring goes and what it does for the headlight circuit.

eaks 03-26-2021 10:34 AM
Well just an update. All is well with the car now (we got some snow so I still need to put it through its paces and find other little things I want to work on).

I looked at the connector that was wired and bought the closest dimmer switch I could find and it actually just plugged right in. I mounted just below the dash on the left hand side which is easily accessible. I also have a blue light on the dash that lights up when my high beams are on (not sure how that is wired but it works properly so thats good news).

Thanks everyone for the help with this and I cant wait to put some miles on it and get it sorted out exactly the way I want.

kitcarbp 03-26-2021 12:03 PM
2 Attachment(s)
I used this GM designed multi-function headlamp switch that includes dash light dimmer, and dome light switch, it even has fog lamp circuit to turn off main beams if desired. There are multiple aftermarket companies making these so beware. I used the Cole Hersee version. Painless sells them too as an example.


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