Headlight problem - dimmer switch extinguishes all Headlights

[Grant M.]

I have a 1965 convertible and when I press the dimmer switch on the floor, instead of illuminating the high beams it turns off the low beams. The switch, as I recall (it's been 35 years) is a replacement/reproduction from one of the suppliers (CC or Ecklers). The headlight bulbs are incandescent (one or two may be original T-3s), not halogen (which I believe draws more current).

Can anyone suggest a troubleshooting path?

Thanks,

Grant

[Stephen L.]

Re: Headlight problem - dimmer switch extinguishes all Headlights

The switch is probably faulty. Install a new one and you should be good to go. If not, then the high beam wiring is faulty. use a clip lead to jump the wiring at the dimmer switch from the 12v supply to both the high and low beam wires. Easy test.......If the lights still don't work then the next area to check is the bulkhead connector on the firewall..

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Headlight problem - dimmer switch extinguishes all Headlights

rock auto has a number of the switches for reasonable money if you need a new one. hope this helps

[Jimmy G.]

Re: Headlight problem - dimmer switch extinguishes all Headlights

Exact same thing happened in my 60 in July Bad dimmer switch They are cheap and not too hard to replace

[Grant M.]

Re: Headlight problem - dimmer switch extinguishes all Headlights

Thanks Stephen. I'll check the switch first.

[Grant M.]

Re: Headlight problem - dimmer switch extinguishes all Headlights

Thanks. I'll check the switch.

[Grant M.]

Re: Headlight problem - dimmer switch extinguishes all Headlights

Thanks. I'll be checking the switch first.

[Norm B.]

Re: Headlight problem - dimmer switch extinguishes all Headlights

There is nothing quite like the feeling you get on a moonless night in Northern Ontario when you hit the high beam switch and your headlights go off , so here is an old trick I learned from back in the day of driving GM buses up there. If that switch has not been used regularly or in quite a while try working it hard a few times. Because of where they are the contacts tend to collect dust and dirt and sometimes doing that clears it. It may not be the ultimate fix but it often gets it working again.

[Grant M.]

Re: Headlight problem - dimmer switch extinguishes all Headlights

Norm, moonless night, northern Ontario, two-lane highway, 'moose' warning signs and no headlights...I know of what you speak. I almost hit one (moose) in my 78 Formula Firebird heading west in 1979, and that was with working headlights...
Thanks for the tip. As I noted in my original post, it's not the original switch but a (35+ year old) replacement, that's almost never used (I don't drive the car after dark). So your tip may work. I'll let you know...
Thanks,

Grant