Intermittent headlights all of the sudden

[Henrius]

When I took my 1965 Plymouth Fury over to a mechanic's house last winter, everything worked more or less OK, except a rough idle. That was the thing I wanted worked on.

The mechanic got busy doing other things, and the car was left sitting outside for about 9 months.

When I picked it up, there were no functioning instrument lights. When I turned the headlights on, they would flicker off. By turning the headlight switch off and on, I could get the lights on for a short while, but then they went out. I had to repeat the process several times to get home.

I am guessing the problem is in the headlight switch? Perhaps it got corroded during all that time in the damp outside?

Should I replace it, or drive the car in the daylight, turning the switch off and one repeatedly? Or could there be another cause?

Does anyone know the best place to get a new headlight switch if one is needed?

 

[Mr C]

Okay, so the post say intermittent headlights, but the text talks about instrument panel lights.

If it's instrument panel, it's quite often a dirty rheostat...spin the dimmer back and forth to clean it up and you'll very probably "fix" it. The spring, which is the rheostat, gets corroded over time, by swinging the brush back and forth over it by just spinning it, it cleans the contacts.

 

[Sixpactogo]

If your headlights are intermittently going off and on, the first thing I would check is the dimmer switch plug on the floor. Probably partially unplugged.

 

[Henrius]

BOTH problems occurred. No instrument lights, AND headlights turn on and then go off. I will check the dimmer switch, but I can't imagine that getting plugged and unplugged. And I am sure it has nothing to do with the dash lights. But thanks for the tips!

 

[Sixpactogo]

It happened to me. That is why it was the first thing I thought of. I had a 66 Buick Electra many years ago. I was traveling down a winding two lane road when it happened. By the time I got stopped, I was in the ditch when the lights came back on. I don't recall if the dash lights went out but I do remember it was pitch black dark and scared the Bijeezus out of me. It was a bad connection at the dimmer switch.

 

[Sluggo]

Many people here, and other sites, have used @Devinism for switches. Very good, quick work - switches come back better than when new. If you are set on buying try: moparmall.com but hold on to your hat when you see the prices!

 

[Devinism]

Now that you're home take a very good look at your dash wiring / fuse box wiring / firewall junction. And the wiring plug at the headlight switch.

The floor hi-low switch and plug will cause the headlight problem, but will not affect the dash lights.

 

[Henrius]

Many people here, and other sites, have used @Devinism for switches.

I don't understand. I don't have a cell phone. How do I contact an address with @ in front of it?

 

[Devinism]

I don't understand. I don't have a cell phone. How do I contact an address with @ in front of it?

You can send me a private message here.
Have you taken a good look at your wiring?