Headlights

Tiny
PRESSMAN1965
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 DODGE DYNASTY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
When I have my headlights on and switch to high beam after a few minutes both of my headlights
start to go off and on and I switch back to low beam they stop going off and on I have replaced the headlight switch and also the combination
headlight dimmer and turn signal wiper switch
is there any other relays to check
thanks

Saturday, February 12th, 2011 AT 4:05 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
If they blink on and off at a fairly steady rate, look for an automatic-resetting circuit breaker in the fuse box. There is one built into the head light switch too, but you replaced that already. You can install a 20 amp fuse in place of the circuit breaker for testing, but put a circuit breaker in there later. It is designed to let the lights come back on after an intermittent overload. That's for safety to allow you to see to safely stop the car. Sometimes the contacts inside the circuit breaker become pitted. The high resistance causes heat buildup in the sensing element. Excessive heat is what trips the breaker. It resets after it cools down.

If the lights flicker rapidly and randomly, suspect a lose connection. The common places to look are for overheated terminals in the switch connectors. Usually the connector body will be melted too.

Caradiodoc
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Saturday, February 12th, 2011 AT 4:37 AM
Tiny
PRESSMAN1965
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have checked fuse block for a circuit breaker there is only fuses
checked for loose connectors and melted wires found nothing there is a relay under the hood on the left side next to the bat. But is also for the fuel system
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Saturday, February 19th, 2011 AT 3:52 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
I searched all through the service manual and can't find a convenient test point other than going right to the dimmer switch. Since you already replaced it and know how to reach it, use a clip lead to connect a digital voltmeter lead to the red / orange wire. Ground the meter, then turn it on to the 20 volt DC scale when the problem occurs. If the voltage goes up and down when the headlights do the same thing, move the clip lead to the light green wire and monitor that one.

Caradiodoc
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Saturday, February 19th, 2011 AT 5:04 AM
Tiny
WINDER316
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a similar problem with my Dyansty. I replaced the headlight switch once already but my problem is the green wire that goes to the H terminal on the switch becomes over heated and melts the plug. Im not sure if there is a ground that is shorting out somewhere and if so where would it be located?
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Sunday, August 14th, 2011 AT 10:09 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
A melting plug can't happen on its own from too much current because ideally, it has no resistance, so there's no voltage drop, and no heat buildup. HOWEVER, undesired resistance WILL cause heat buildup that can melt the plug. That resistance appears at the connection between the terminal in the plug and its mate on the switch, or between the contacts inside the switch. When that happens, both the switch and the offending terminals must be replaced. Typically you'll find two wires in the plug that are hardened for about 4" from being overheated. That 4" of wire must be cut out and replaced, the switch must be replaced, and the overheated terminals must be cut out of the plug and replaced. The entire plug does not have to be replaced. Cut out the melted parts, install crimp-type terminals to the new spliced-in sections of wire, and plug them in individually.

If you don't replace everything at the same time, the high resistance will continue to develop heat and transfer it to the new parts, and the problem will pop up again.
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Sunday, August 14th, 2011 AT 10:42 PM

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