Thread: Help! No headlights

it will be the head light switch
be burnt out , need a new switch but up grade your headlight wiring loam first otherwise it will happen again
cheers

Hans is most probably correct, & assuming he is....

Upgrading the wiring isn't essential, but if you don't upgrade the wiring your new switch will last about as long as the present one has.

One method of upgarding involves rewiring to the extent that relays are used to avoid having the total headlight current draw pass through the switch (it is this high current that eventually renders the contacts in the switch inoperative).


A 20-40 amp toggle switch can be jury rigged in place of the headlight switch to allow ongoing headlight use until the replacement switch arrives.

It's a fairly straightforward replacement job if you are handy with a scewdriver and spanner (or if someone you know is).

In the interests of accessibility, you need to know how to remove/replace the steering wheel and two-piece plastic shroud around the column, otherwise it's a job for the auto electrician

Mine had a similar failure. It was the switch, but the reason it failed appeared to be that one of the switch terminals was loose, which created resistance and heat, resulting in the switch contact receding into the plastic and not making contact...in other words faulty switch.

The replacement has well and truly outlasted the original & I didn't upgrade anything. Just check the new switch carefully to make sure the terminal connections are tight & secure.

All the power for lights passes through that switch, so if you tow, say a camper trailer with clearance as well as front and rear lights as mine has, then the switch has too much power going through it for it to last. As said, fitting a relay will make the switch last much better, but fitting a headlight loom upgrade will do that and give you better lights as well. Tim from Traxide on here can supply the kit for that.
Headlight Kits
Don.

Yes, had that switch burn out for me twice. I did a dodgy roadside fix using a very basic pull out switch last time and haven't got around to doing the upgraded wiring yet. Been going for years like that now - just shows how bad the original switch must be.
I'd recommend doing the upgrade that the others have talked about.

Yes the relays method is the ONLY solution(unless you like replacing switches )
The first time it occurred with me all I could do was bare the ends and twist them together! 500kms later it was still working as I pulled into the shed!
Cheers Scott

Fitting some LED headlights like the TruckLite phase 7 will reduce the power through the switch also....

Just adding to the above - It could be one of either the headlight switch or the multifunction switch, but probably the headlight switch. The switch may be repairable, but as noted above the only permanent repair is to fit relays.

John