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I bought a new headlight switch. When I hooked it up it started smoking. What do I check next?

Tiny
DALLASKLAGES
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 OLDSMOBILE CIERA
  • 72,000 MILES
The old headlight switch blew and I thought a new one was the answer
Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:23 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
The old one blew for a reason and since it was not determined, the new one has failed as well. It has a short somewhere and you need to find out whaere it is, repair it then replace the switch.

What happened that the original switch blew. Was any work performed?

Roy
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:25 AM
Tiny
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No there wasnt any work performed on the vehicle. I was parking the car at my house and sparks shot from the dash. I checked the fuses they are okay, the dimmer is okay, everything else seems to be in order. Where should I begin looking for the short?
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:40 AM
Tiny
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Was the old switch burned up?

Is the connector to the switch black from heat?

Are all the wires intact?

How did you know it was the headlight switch?

Roy
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:42 AM
Tiny
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Well I removed the old headlight switch and removed the case from it. One of the pieces of metal inside looked burnt in half. The lights on the dash and the radio started flickering and then it blew.
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:44 AM
Tiny
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Are you talking about the connector?

Roy
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:46 AM
Tiny
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No not the connector, it was a piece of metal on the inside that blew.
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:48 AM
Tiny
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Inside of what?

Roy
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:50 AM
Tiny
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The headlight switch, to track a short do I just follow the wires from the back of the switch? Are there any other hot spots for a short?
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:52 AM
Tiny
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The new one melted also?

Ok, look at the connectors at all the bulbs in the car to be sure nothing is rubbed through or shorted.

From what your saying, it originated at the switch and may be still at the switch. I would concentrate there to see if any wires are bare, burnt or laying on something metal

Roy
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:55 AM
Tiny
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I will do that. Is there anywhere else I should look?
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 12:58 AM
Tiny
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Look there first

Roy
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Friday, August 10th, 2012 AT 1:12 AM

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