1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

[Melissa N.]

Want to verify proper function of the dashboard headlight indicator. From reading posts etc. the red light on the dash is supposed to go out when the headlights are fully open.

On my '72, when both headlights are engaged and fully open the red dash headlight indicator remains lit. Both headlight switches visually look fine but haven't investigated further.

Do the switches need to be replaced? Any suggestions?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

Want to verify proper function of the dashboard headlight indicator. From reading posts etc. the red light on the dash is supposed to go out when the headlights are fully open.

On my '72, when both headlights are engaged and fully open the red dash headlight indicator remains lit. Both headlight switches visually look fine but haven't investigated further.

Do the switches need to be replaced? Any suggestions?

Melissa------


Most likely, the switches are not properly adjusted.

[Melissa N.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

How do you adjust them?

[Ed D.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

The plastic headlight switches on the bottom of the headlight assemble are either broken or not adjusted properly. Most likely broken, one or both
Ed

[Leonard M.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

If the switches weren't touched, loosened or turned I don't think there would be an adjustment problem, but they must be orriented correctly. They are made of plastic and with age can break. Check if the connectors are fully pushed on and you can also try applying some sideward pressure to check if they are cracked.
Also you can check the function If you have someone available to manually press in both buttons at the same time and you can see if the light goes out.
These pictures may help to see if yours are in the same position.
DSCN7565.jpgDSCN7566.jpg

[Melissa N.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

Lenny,

Thanks! Trying to learn and gather info before attacking this. Where are the buttons that need to be manually depressed?

[Leonard M.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

They are the raised round area facing down as seen in the picture. You can press and feel it.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

Lenny,

Thanks! Trying to learn and gather info before attacking this. Where are the buttons that need to be manually depressed?

Melissa
The buttons/switches are located on the headlight operating mechanism. Leonard's photos are of the mechanism in the lowered position as seen through the opening behind the grille. As the headlamps operate to the raised position those buttons (one on each headlamp mechanism) contact the linkage. Both buttons must be pressed in order to shut off the lamp. It is easiest to access and operate these switches with the car in the air and the headlamps lowered. If you are going to test per Leonard's suggestion it will likely take three people; one at each switch and the third to look at the light inside the car.

My experience is the most common failure is the switch breaks from improper efforts to raise the headlamps by hand. Next most common is the
wire leads at the switches deteriorate and break. The insulation will be in tact, but the wires leaving the switch break from repeated up/down motion. If the switch is broken a visual inspection should reveal the problem. The broken wire will be much more difficult to detect with a visual inspection and may require electrical testing. The most difficult to detect is an intermittent broken wire that makes contact with the headlamps in the lowered position, but is open with the headlamps raised.

Leonard: Excellent photos. Your car is in amazing condition. Well done.

[Melissa N.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

Terry,

I appreciate the response--very helpful. In my prior thread you diagnosed the ignition switch warning buzzer issue. That is now fixed....so onto this problem.

Melissa

[Leif A.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

Leonard and Terry,
For the uneducated and uninformed who likes to learn, is the area you both are talking about the area that I have circled in the picture below? I've owned several C3s in the past and always like to continue the learning process. Thanks.

[Leonard M.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

Hi Leif, The area you circled mostly has the rubber boot that pulls off to reveal the male connectors on the switch. I have found that the switch cracks just above the button where the switch meets that dichromate plated mount.
Thanks Terry, but I have to give credit to Alan the prior owner and Tim Throrpe for the condition of my car.
Also, I think one person can probably reach both switches at the same time, But three makes it even easier.

[Leif A.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

Hi Leif, The area you circled mostly has the rubber boot that pulls off to reveal the male connectors on the switch. I have found that the switch cracks just above the button where the switch meets that dichromate plated mount.
Thanks Terry, but I have to give credit to Alan the prior owner and Tim Throrpe for the condition of my car.
Also, I think one person can probably reach both switches at the same time, But three makes it even easier.

Leonard,
Thank you for the clarification.

[Terry M.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

Hi Leif, The area you circled mostly has the rubber boot that pulls off to reveal the male connectors on the switch. I have found that the switch cracks just above the button where the switch meets that dichromate plated mount.
Thanks Terry, but I have to give credit to Alan the prior owner and Tim Throrpe for the condition of my car.
Also, I think one person can probably reach both switches at the same time, But three makes it even easier.

Leonard,
I don't want to start an argument about how one can reach those switches. Let's leave that subject. I will say one has to be careful when reaching in that area. On occasion when judging these C3s we have had to raise the headlights without starting the engine (no vacuum). I have observed people fumbling around in that area to raise the headlamps and break that switch. As you can see, the black plastic of the switch is threaded with a bolt-like fastener and a metal nut fastens the body of the switch. Push on the switch instead of the metal link behind it (where the springs attach) and the switch will break before the headlamps raise.

The wires I wrote about in my earlier post are the black and white with a green stripe toward the bottom of this photo. I don't know how to put the fancy circles in the pictures, and there is no adolescent in the household to show me.DSCN7566.jpg

[Terry M.]

Re: 1972 Dash Headlight Indicator

Terry,

I appreciate the response--very helpful. In my prior thread you diagnosed the ignition switch warning buzzer issue. That is now fixed....so onto this problem.

Melissa

Congratulations on fixing that ignition warning switch. That area of the steering column is difficult to work in. Well done.