Headlights won't go off

[artw]

When you operate the dimmer switch do the headlights go from high to low beam?
The results of that test can determine which way the trouble
is - either in front of, or behind that switch. The headlight switch
should be the only thing in front of the dimmer switch, disregarding
the the bedroom secutity light sw.

Art Weatherly
Riverside Ca.
'85 PT36
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan and Cindy" <86bluebird@...> wrote:
>
> Good point Fred. They are almost always a problem.
>
> Greg, as far as the living room fluorescent lights go, there is a connector in
the passenger side overhead about midway behind the backing. I wired around the
bad pins. Check that out.
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Hulse" wrote:
> >
> > Greg
> > I don't quite know how that all is wired,but.........
> > have you looked at the dimmer switch?
> > Fred & Jeanne Hulse
> > Morristown,Arizona
> > 97 WLWB41
> >
>

[Greg Young]

Hey guys - thanks for the help so far. I disconnected the dash dimmer but still have the problem.

Frankly I'm reluctant to chase down a replacement for the dimmer as I think it will be difficult to find locally. Today is my last chance to fix this and I am baffled as to where else to look. Short of tearing out all the wiring under the dash I don't know what to do because the headlight wires are otherwise inaccessible. So I may just end up disconnecting the headlight lead from its breaker when we are not driving.

Thanks again.

Greg

Home is where my iPhone is.

On Aug 19, 2010, at 8:10 AM, "artw" <"amweatherly@att.net"> wrote:

When you operate the dimmer switch do the headlights go from high to low beam? The results of that test can determine which way the trouble

is - either in front of, or behind that switch. The headlight switch

should be the only thing in front of the dimmer switch, disregarding

the the bedroom secutity light sw.



Art Weatherly

Riverside Ca.

'85 PT36

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Dan and Cindy" <86bluebird@...> wrote:

>

> Good point Fred. They are almost always a problem.

>

> Greg, as far as the living room fluorescent lights go, there is a connector in the passenger side overhead about midway behind the backing. I wired around the bad pins. Check that out.

>

> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Fred Hulse" wrote:

> >

> > Greg

> > I don't quite know how that all is wired,but.........

> > have you looked at the dimmer switch?

> > Fred & Jeanne Hulse

> > Morristown,Arizona

> > 97 WLWB41

> >

>

[Greg Young]

Spoke too soon. Looking at the wiring diagrams I can't even find mention of a breaker for the headlights. How do I stop the trigger current from flowing?

Greg

Home is where my iPhone is.

On Aug 20, 2010, at 9:26 AM, Greg Young <"gregy1@yahoo.com"> wrote:

Hey guys - thanks for the help so far. I disconnected the dash dimmer but still have the problem.

Frankly I'm reluctant to chase down a replacement for the dimmer as I think it will be difficult to find locally. Today is my last chance to fix this and I am baffled as to where else to look. Short of tearing out all the wiring under the dash I don't know what to do because the headlight wires are otherwise inaccessible. So I may just end up disconnecting the headlight lead from its breaker when we are not driving.

Thanks again.

Greg

Home is where my iPhone is.

On Aug 19, 2010, at 8:10 AM, "artw" <"amweatherly@att.net"> wrote:

When you operate the dimmer switch do the headlights go from high to low beam? The results of that test can determine which way the trouble

is - either in front of, or behind that switch. The headlight switch

should be the only thing in front of the dimmer switch, disregarding

the the bedroom secutity light sw.



Art Weatherly

Riverside Ca.

'85 PT36

--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com""WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "Dan and Cindy" <86bluebird@...> wrote:

>

> Good point Fred. They are almost always a problem.

>

> Greg, as far as the living room fluorescent lights go, there is a connector in the passenger side overhead about midway behind the backing. I wired around the bad pins. Check that out.

>

> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com""WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com", "Fred Hulse" wrote:

> >

> > Greg

> > I don't quite know how that all is wired,but.........

> > have you looked at the dimmer switch?

> > Fred & Jeanne Hulse

> > Morristown,Arizona

> > 97 WLWB41

> >

>

[Don Bradner]

I don't think they were talking about the dash dimmer. The high/low dimmer
switch was in question. If the lights switch when you use it, the problem is
between the headlight switch and the dimmer switch. If not, it is after the
dimmer switch.

On 8/20/2010 at 9:26 AM Greg Young wrote:

>Hey guys - thanks for the help so far. I disconnected the dash dimmer but
>still have the problem.
>
>Frankly I'm reluctant to chase down a replacement for the dimmer as I
>think it will be difficult to find locally. Today is my last chance to fix
>this and I am baffled as to where else to look. Short of tearing out all
>the wiring under the dash I don't know what to do because the headlight
>wires are otherwise inaccessible. So I may just end up disconnecting the
>headlight lead from its breaker when we are not driving.
>
>Thanks again.
>
>Greg
>
>Home is where my iPhone is.
>
>On Aug 19, 2010, at 8:10 AM, "artw" wrote:
>
>>
>> When you operate the dimmer switch do the headlights go from high to low
>beam? The results of that test can determine which way the trouble
>> is - either in front of, or behind that switch. The headlight switch
>> should be the only thing in front of the dimmer switch, disregarding
>> the the bedroom secutity light sw.
>>
>> Art Weatherly
>> Riverside Ca.
>> '85 PT36
>> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan and Cindy"
><86bluebird@...> wrote:
>> >
>> > Good point Fred. They are almost always a problem.
>> >
>> > Greg, as far as the living room fluorescent lights go, there is a
>connector in the passenger side overhead about midway behind the backing.
>I wired around the bad pins. Check that out.
>> >
>> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Hulse" wrote:
>> > >
>> > > Greg
>> > > I don't quite know how that all is wired,but.........
>> > > have you looked at the dimmer switch?
>> > > Fred & Jeanne Hulse
>> > > Morristown,Arizona
>> > > 97 WLWB41
>> > >
>> >
>>
>>

[Greg Young]

Thanks Don! When i read "dimmer" i thought rheostat, not switch.

All four headlights do switch from hi to low with the high beam switch, as usual. So is it possible that the high beam switch is the fail point, and there is a short in that switch across the low beam line? It appears I can reach it through the headlight cutout so I'm going to try to take it out.

Greg

Home is where my iPhone is.

On Aug 20, 2010, at 9:48 AM, "Don Bradner" <"bluethunder@arcatapet.com"> wrote:

I don't think they were talking about the dash dimmer. The high/low dimmer switch was in question. If the lights switch when you use it, the problem is between the headlight switch and the dimmer switch. If not, it is after the dimmer switch.



On 8/20/2010 at 9:26 AM Greg Young wrote:



>Hey guys - thanks for the help so far. I disconnected the dash dimmer but

>still have the problem.

>

>Frankly I'm reluctant to chase down a replacement for the dimmer as I

>think it will be difficult to find locally. Today is my last chance to fix

>this and I am baffled as to where else to look. Short of tearing out all

>the wiring under the dash I don't know what to do because the headlight

>wires are otherwise inaccessible. So I may just end up disconnecting the

>headlight lead from its breaker when we are not driving.

>

>Thanks again.

>

>Greg

>

>Home is where my iPhone is.

>

>On Aug 19, 2010, at 8:10 AM, "artw" <"amweatherly%40att.net"> wrote:

>

>>

>> When you operate the dimmer switch do the headlights go from high to low

>beam? The results of that test can determine which way the trouble

>> is - either in front of, or behind that switch. The headlight switch

>> should be the only thing in front of the dimmer switch, disregarding

>> the the bedroom secutity light sw.

>>

>> Art Weatherly

>> Riverside Ca.

>> '85 PT36

>> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Dan and Cindy"

><86bluebird@...> wrote:

>> >

>> > Good point Fred. They are almost always a problem.

>> >

>> > Greg, as far as the living room fluorescent lights go, there is a

>connector in the passenger side overhead about midway behind the backing.

>I wired around the bad pins. Check that out.

>> >

>> > --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Fred Hulse" wrote:

>> > >

>> > > Greg

>> > > I don't quite know how that all is wired,but.........

>> > > have you looked at the dimmer switch?

>> > > Fred & Jeanne Hulse

>> > > Morristown,Arizona

>> > > 97 WLWB41

>> > >

>> >

>>

>>

[Don Bradner]

Typically, 12V flows through the dash switch to the dimmer switch, then on from
there to relays/lights. Since it is switching, I would think it has to mean
something is continuously supplying power to the dimmer switch.

On 8/20/2010 at 10:14 AM Greg Young wrote:

>Thanks Don! When i read "dimmer" i thought rheostat, not switch.
>
>All four headlights do switch from hi to low with the high beam switch, as
>usual. So is it possible that the high beam switch is the fail point, and
>there is a short in that switch across the low beam line? It appears I
>can reach it through the headlight cutout so I'm going to try to take it
>out.
>
>Greg
>
>Home is where my iPhone is.
>
>On Aug 20, 2010, at 9:48 AM, "Don Bradner"
>wrote:
>
>> I don't think they were talking about the dash dimmer. The high/low
>dimmer switch was in question. If the lights switch when you use it, the
>problem is between the headlight switch and the dimmer switch. If not, it
>is after the dimmer switch.
>>
>> On 8/20/2010 at 9:26 AM Greg Young wrote:
>>
>> >Hey guys - thanks for the help so far. I disconnected the dash dimmer
>but
>> >still have the problem.
>> >
>> >Frankly I'm reluctant to chase down a replacement for the dimmer as I
>> >think it will be difficult to find locally. Today is my last chance to
>fix
>> >this and I am baffled as to where else to look. Short of tearing out all
>> >the wiring under the dash I don't know what to do because the headlight
>> >wires are otherwise inaccessible. So I may just end up disconnecting the
>> >headlight lead from its breaker when we are not driving.
>> >
>> >Thanks again.
>> >
>> >Greg
>> >
>> >Home is where my iPhone is.
>> >
>> >On Aug 19, 2010, at 8:10 AM, "artw" wrote:
>> >
>> >>
>> >> When you operate the dimmer switch do the headlights go from high to
>low
>> >beam? The results of that test can determine which way the trouble
>> >> is - either in front of, or behind that switch. The headlight switch
>> >> should be the only thing in front of the dimmer switch, disregarding
>> >> the the bedroom secutity light sw.
>> >>
>> >> Art Weatherly
>> >> Riverside Ca.
>> >> '85 PT36
>> >> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan and Cindy"
>> ><86bluebird@...> wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> > Good point Fred. They are almost always a problem.
>> >> >
>> >> > Greg, as far as the living room fluorescent lights go, there is a
>> >connector in the passenger side overhead about midway behind the
>backing.
>> >I wired around the bad pins. Check that out.
>> >> >
>> >> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Hulse"
>wrote:
>> >> > >
>> >> > > Greg
>> >> > > I don't quite know how that all is wired,but.........
>> >> > > have you looked at the dimmer switch?
>> >> > > Fred & Jeanne Hulse
>> >> > > Morristown,Arizona
>> >> > > 97 WLWB41
>> >> > >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>

[Dan and Cindy]

Greg

Have you had any luck yet on the headlight problem?

Dan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Don Bradner" wrote:
>
> Typically, 12V flows through the dash switch to the dimmer switch, then on
from there to relays/lights. Since it is switching, I would think it has to mean
something is continuously supplying power to the dimmer switch.
>
> On 8/20/2010 at 10:14 AM Greg Young wrote:
>
> >Thanks Don! When i read "dimmer" i thought rheostat, not switch.
> >
> >All four headlights do switch from hi to low with the high beam switch, as
> >usual. So is it possible that the high beam switch is the fail point, and
> >there is a short in that switch across the low beam line? It appears I
> >can reach it through the headlight cutout so I'm going to try to take it
> >out.
> >
> >Greg
> >
> >Home is where my iPhone is.
> >
> >On Aug 20, 2010, at 9:48 AM, "Don Bradner"
> >wrote:
> >
> >> I don't think they were talking about the dash dimmer. The high/low
> >dimmer switch was in question. If the lights switch when you use it, the
> >problem is between the headlight switch and the dimmer switch. If not, it
> >is after the dimmer switch.
> >>
> >> On 8/20/2010 at 9:26 AM Greg Young wrote:
> >>
> >> >Hey guys - thanks for the help so far. I disconnected the dash dimmer
> >but
> >> >still have the problem.
> >> >
> >> >Frankly I'm reluctant to chase down a replacement for the dimmer as I
> >> >think it will be difficult to find locally. Today is my last chance to
> >fix
> >> >this and I am baffled as to where else to look. Short of tearing out all
> >> >the wiring under the dash I don't know what to do because the headlight
> >> >wires are otherwise inaccessible. So I may just end up disconnecting the
> >> >headlight lead from its breaker when we are not driving.
> >> >
> >> >Thanks again.
> >> >
> >> >Greg
> >> >
> >> >Home is where my iPhone is.
> >> >
> >> >On Aug 19, 2010, at 8:10 AM, "artw" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >> When you operate the dimmer switch do the headlights go from high to
> >low
> >> >beam? The results of that test can determine which way the trouble
> >> >> is - either in front of, or behind that switch. The headlight switch
> >> >> should be the only thing in front of the dimmer switch, disregarding
> >> >> the the bedroom secutity light sw.
> >> >>
> >> >> Art Weatherly
> >> >> Riverside Ca.
> >> >> '85 PT36
> >> >> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan and Cindy"
> >> ><86bluebird@> wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Good point Fred. They are almost always a problem.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Greg, as far as the living room fluorescent lights go, there is a
> >> >connector in the passenger side overhead about midway behind the
> >backing.
> >> >I wired around the bad pins. Check that out.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Hulse"
> >wrote:
> >> >> > >
> >> >> > > Greg
> >> >> > > I don't quite know how that all is wired,but.........
> >> >> > > have you looked at the dimmer switch?
> >> >> > > Fred & Jeanne Hulse
> >> >> > > Morristown,Arizona
> >> >> > > 97 WLWB41
> >> >> > >
> >> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
>

[Greg Young]

I'm pretty sure the failure is in the high beam switch. However, to get to it requires tearing apart the floorboard around it, a task which I have neither the time nor energy to do right now. We are packing for our annual trek to Burning Man, leaving on Monday. So I installed a cutoff switch for the line going to the headlight relays (used a 50A switch and 10ga wire to minimize heat and loss) and we can roll that way. However, it's certainly something I need to fix. Even if it turns out to be wiring on the way to the high beam switch, I'll need to do a major tear down, so either way that's in my future. But not now.

One of the two blowers that exhaust hot air from the genny compartment was broken - the blower wheel was torn to pieces. It took me
quite some time to locate a supplier, then they sent the wrong wheel. Then they failed to ship when they said they would, so I missed the window to install it while at home. So now I've asked them to ship it to a stop on the way next week, hoping that it will be the right one and on time. If not, we probably won't be able to use the genny during the day for long as 110 degree temperature and 40MPH dust storms really overwhelm its cooling system.

And I had to replace the high temp sensor switch on the 8V92. It had failed and the fan wasn't coming on, as well as having the engine alarm triggered. Dan at Parliament was very helpful getting the part. While I was at it I replaced the water temp guage sensor. Got a nice coating of coolant all over me in the process (dummy standing in front of the thermostat as I removed the switch).

So everything else seems to be OK! I really love working on this... but
sometimes it frustrates me because my knowledge is so spotty. I don't know what I'd do without the forum. Probably would never have bought it in the first place!

Thanks again and hope to see some another Bluebird or two on the playa!

Greg
AKA Smoke Blower to other burners
1986 PT-40 "Bluefire"
Oceanside CA

Each time you judge yourself you break your heart.
-Kirpal Venanji

---

From: Dan and Cindy <86bluebird@...>
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Fri, August 20, 2010 7:12:45 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Headlights won't go off

Greg



Have you had any luck yet on the headlight problem?



Dan



--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Don Bradner" wrote:

>

> Typically, 12V flows through the dash switch to the dimmer switch, then on from there to relays/lights. Since it is switching, I would think it has to mean something is continuously supplying power to the dimmer switch.

>

> On 8/20/2010 at 10:14 AM Greg Young wrote:

>

> >Thanks Don! When i read "dimmer" i thought rheostat, not switch.

> >

> >All four headlights do switch from hi to low with the high beam switch, as

> >usual. So is it possible that the high beam switch is the fail point, and

> >there is a short in that switch across the low beam line? It appears I

> >can reach it through the headlight cutout so I'm going to try to take it

> >out.

> >

> >Greg

> >

> >Home is where my iPhone is.

> >

> >On Aug 20, 2010, at 9:48 AM, "Don Bradner"

> >wrote:

> >

> >> I don't think they were talking about the dash dimmer. The high/low

> >dimmer switch was in question. If the lights switch when you use it, the

> >problem is between the headlight switch and the dimmer switch. If not, it

> >is after the dimmer switch.

> >>

> >> On 8/20/2010 at 9:26 AM Greg Young wrote:

> >>

> >> >Hey guys - thanks for the help so far. I disconnected the dash dimmer

> >but

> >> >still have the problem.

> >> >

> >> >Frankly I'm reluctant to chase down a replacement for the dimmer as I

> >> >think it will be difficult to find locally. Today is my last chance to

> >fix

> >> >this and I am baffled as to where else to look. Short of tearing out all

> >> >the wiring under the dash I don't know what to do because the headlight

> >> >wires are otherwise inaccessible. So I may just end up disconnecting the

> >> >headlight lead from its breaker when we are not driving.

> >> >

> >> >Thanks again.

> >> >

> >> >Greg

> >> >

> >> >Home is where my iPhone is.

> >> >

> >> >On Aug 19, 2010, at 8:10 AM, "artw" wrote:

> >> >

> >> >>

> >> >> When you operate the dimmer switch do the headlights go from high to

> >low

> >> >beam? The results of that test can determine which way the trouble

> >> >> is - either in front of, or behind that switch. The headlight switch

> >> >> should be the only thing in front of the dimmer switch, disregarding

> >> >> the the bedroom secutity light sw.

> >> >>

> >> >> Art Weatherly

> >> >> Riverside Ca.

> >> >> '85 PT36

> >> >> --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Dan and Cindy"

> >> ><86bluebird@> wrote:

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Good point Fred. They are almost always a problem.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Greg, as far as the living room fluorescent lights go, there is a

> >> >connector in the passenger side overhead about midway behind the

> >backing.

> >> >I wired around the bad pins. Check that out.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > --- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", "Fred Hulse"

> >wrote:

> >> >> > >

> >> >> > > Greg

> >> >> > > I don't quite know how that all is wired,but.........

> >> >> > > have you looked at the dimmer switch?

> >> >> > > Fred & Jeanne Hulse

> >> >> > > Morristown,Arizona

> >> >> > > 97 WLWB41

> >> >> > >

> >> >> >

> >> >>

> >> >>

> >>

> >>

>

[billpatty@...]

the bedroom security panic light switch, uses a multi-contact relay.
probably located in the rear load center, it is a see through plastic plug-in
relay, lot of contacts, unplug the relay, see if the lights turn Off.

Bill 88 FC Michigan


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "artw" wrote:
>
>
> When you operate the dimmer switch do the headlights go from high to low beam?
The results of that test can determine which way the trouble
> is - either in front of, or behind that switch. The headlight switch
> should be the only thing in front of the dimmer switch, disregarding
> the the bedroom secutity light sw.
>
> Art Weatherly
> Riverside Ca.
> '85 PT36
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan and Cindy" <86bluebird@> wrote:
> >
> > Good point Fred. They are almost always a problem.
> >
> > Greg, as far as the living room fluorescent lights go, there is a connector
in the passenger side overhead about midway behind the backing. I wired around
the bad pins. Check that out.
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Hulse" wrote:
> > >
> > > Greg
> > > I don't quite know how that all is wired,but.........
> > > have you looked at the dimmer switch?
> > > Fred & Jeanne Hulse
> > > Morristown,Arizona
> > > 97 WLWB41
> > >
> >
>

[artw]

Greg,

The dimmer switch does not have its own power source. It switches
the power sent by the headlite switch to either high or low beam.
The dimmer sw. is doing what it is supposed to do.

The relay that the security light sw. in the bedroom operates
could have a stuck contact (high possibility). Hope you have all your drawings.


Art Weatherly
Riverside Ca
'85 PT36

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, billpatty@... wrote:
>
>
>
> the bedroom security panic light switch, uses a multi-contact relay.
> probably located in the rear load center, it is a see through plastic plug-in
relay, lot of contacts, unplug the relay, see if the lights turn Off.
>
> Bill 88 FC Michigan
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "artw" wrote:
> >
> >
> > When you operate the dimmer switch do the headlights go from high to low
beam? The results of that test can determine which way the trouble
> > is - either in front of, or behind that switch. The headlight switch
> > should be the only thing in front of the dimmer switch, disregarding
> > the the bedroom secutity light sw.
> >
> > Art Weatherly
> > Riverside Ca.
> > '85 PT36
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan and Cindy" <86bluebird@>
wrote:
> > >
> > > Good point Fred. They are almost always a problem.
> > >
> > > Greg, as far as the living room fluorescent lights go, there is a
connector in the passenger side overhead about midway behind the backing. I
wired around the bad pins. Check that out.
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Fred Hulse" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Greg
> > > > I don't quite know how that all is wired,but.........
> > > > have you looked at the dimmer switch?
> > > > Fred & Jeanne Hulse
> > > > Morristown,Arizona
> > > > 97 WLWB41
> > > >
> > >
> >
>