'63 Electrical Gremlins - High Beam Light Comes on when Using Headlight Switch

[Frederick H.]

Headlight switch worked fine after getting car home from shop a couple of weeks ago but a couple of days ago, the headlights don't spin up but the high beam indicator light comes on when using the headlight switch. The "Lights" warning light does not come on with the headlights in the down position. I have not had time to look at but am not electronically skilled other than checking for loose connections and very basic troubleshooting. Taking it back to the shop means taking a day off so any help is appreciated.

Thanks in Advance.
Fred

[Richard M.]

Re: '63 Electrical Gremlins - High Beam Light Comes on when Using Headlight Switch

Fred, If they worked on the instrument cluster......

.... it could be they swapped the HI BEAM and LIGHTS bulb sockets but that'd mean your HI BEAM lamp would be flashing with the buckets down & lights on. Unless they didn't use a #257 flasher bulb intended for the LIGHTS socket.

If they didn't work on the cluster we need more info......

Did it all work right before you brought it to that shop?

When the lights are on and HI BEAM dash lamp lights, are the Hi beams in fact ON?

What happens when you hit the foot dimmer? Do the Low and High beam lamps work properly?

Did they do ANY work on the headlights or buckets? Often times the colors of the wires at the forward harness bucket plugs gets reversed.
Result... HI BEAM dash lamp on when LOW beam lamps on, etc.

If not, what exactly did they do?

Rich

[Norm B.]

Re: '63 Electrical Gremlins - High Beam Light Comes on when Using Headlight Switch

Turn on the headlights and use the dimmer switch to turn on the high beams. If the "Lights" warning light comes on then they have reversed the position of the bulbs. Why the headlights don't spin up is very likely the switch.

[Frederick H.]

Re: '63 Electrical Gremlins - High Beam Light Comes on when Using Headlight Switch

Nice to know about the # 257 flasher bulb (can you still get these at the dealerships or over the counter?).
- Yes, everything worked with the original harness before they replaced.
- I haven't had a chance to look at the lights when testing the dimmer switch.
- They installed the headlight assemblies and motors.
- Headlight switch and buckets worked fine after I got it out of the shop - just started when I got in to drive it this weekend.
- It will just take some time and process of elimination I guess.

Thanks.

[Frederick H.]

Re: '63 Electrical Gremlins - High Beam Light Comes on when Using Headlight Switch

Thanks Norm and Rich. I'm betting they crossed the bulbs and the switch may have decided to go bad as well. If it's the switch, I will have to shop around for an original unless there is a way to restore.

[Richard M.]

Re: '63 Electrical Gremlins - High Beam Light Comes on when Using Headlight Switch

Fred,

Yes maybe just swapped lamp sockets, but...

... keep a eye on that LIGHTS lamp. Does the LIGHTS lamp work at all? If it does, does it flash?

If it stays OFF with headlamps ON but buckets DOWN, and if the LIGHTS lamp goes ON with buckets UP, since they did bucket installation work it's not uncommon to install the "inner" motor bucket brackets reversed with each other. They're marked LH and RH and are reversible. Everything mounts basically normal(except telltale switches position) but causes the LIGHTS lamp to operate just the opposite of its intended design. I've seen 2 midyears with this anomaly over the years. One was our own '63 coupe, another a '66 before I restored it a while ago.

The #257 bulb can be purchased from many places(many vendors, Ebay, online, surplus, etc) but the best is to find original GE brass base used or NOS. Repros flash erratically and have poor reliability. Original GEs flash with repeated on-off cycle times and better overall quality. Since it's a bear to change that bulb, best to get the best.

As far as the bucket underdash HL motor switch, There's a article written how to remove, repair/clean, and reinstall them. HERE listed in the Sticky Database of Restoration Documents. Contacts inside the switch get dirty, a typical problem.

Rich