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Irritable Highbeam Switch


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greasy one
User

Dec 4, 2012, 10:07 AM

Post #1 of 15 (2258 views)
Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

  Hope I don't get in trouble asking for tips on a prospective hack job. Car is a '93 LeSabre. I have had it for 7-8 yrs and have had it with the highbeam switch. It kind of works but is extremely hard to switch. I have long expected to snap the Turn signal / Cruise / Signal arm off. If you were a hacker, where would you tap into to put an external switch in that actually works? I looked and the fuse panel has no headlight or highbeam fuse. I have no problem routing a wire from the engine cpt. into the car. Thanks. Would another shot of spray of some sort be a known solution?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 4, 2012, 10:45 AM

Post #2 of 15 (2251 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

You won't get anybody here to tell you to do something like that. It's dangerous and a fire hazard. Just diagnose the problem and fix it right.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Fezer 690
Novice

Dec 14, 2012, 5:37 PM

Post #3 of 15 (2180 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

You sure talked alot greasy one but in effect said nothing greasy. What is the car's lights doing that brings you to the conclusion that it's signal arm? Or what are the lights doing/not doing? I wouldn't risk "hack jobbing" something on something I trust to go on the road safely with, too risky.
Tell us that much and you'll have a much better chance at getting some good ideas on how to fix it for good!


greasy one
User

Dec 14, 2012, 7:39 PM

Post #4 of 15 (2171 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In


In Reply To
You sure talked alot greasy one but in effect said nothing greasy. What is the car's lights doing that brings you to the conclusion that it's signal arm? Or what are the lights doing/not doing? I wouldn't risk "hack jobbing" something on something I trust to go on the road safely with, too risky.
Tell us that much and you'll have a much better chance at getting some good ideas on how to fix it for good!


I thought I was clear and also think I will get shut down again by the Mod, lol. You know some cars, like mine, have the high beam switch built into the signal arm? The turn signals move up and down and the high beams move front to rear. It doesn't wanna move front to rear and switch the light. They will work but it takes a couple trys and it feels like the arm is on the verge of breaking off. I doubt the arm is cheap and I don't know how hard it is to change. This is not a fire hazard at least to the extent that a thick enough wire is needed. I knew that at 11, (60's) when I was working in a small transmission shop for my fathers friend. (mostly cleaning) but was hoisting them around at prolly 85 lbs.



Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Dec 14, 2012, 7:56 PM

Post #5 of 15 (2169 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

Well....personally......Given the choice of replacing that switch vs pulling up a diagram, tracing out the right wires, then splicing into them and rigging up some type of switch......... I would choose replacing the switch.....way easier...

The problem is most of the wires you need to tap into are in the column, not in the engine compartment, so you would be in there any way.....

I realize that if you've never had a steering wheel off, this may seem like an impossible task....If you have any kind of mechanical know how then it could be in your realm of getting it done....The 2 toughest things would be removing the steering wheel & lock plate, but some parts houses wheel rent you the 2 special tools you need for free.....

I know it's got to bet out there, so google steering wheel removal & combination switch removal...I'd bet there is a U tube video you watch & then decide if your up for it...

From your post it sounds like the clock is ticking.......Those switches are good for breaking,,,,,so your right about it "feeling like its getting ready to break"


greasy one
User

Dec 14, 2012, 8:45 PM

Post #6 of 15 (2162 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

  It has been this way since I bought it in 2005 or so. I stay off the HB's and have only put 20,000 miles on it. I'm not afraid of the job, having done enough hack jobs and otherwise to keep everyone LOLing all over the place for awhile. Lemme start with twist wires sticking out of grill to start and stop alternator on 76 Coupe /1985.


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Dec 14, 2012, 10:08 PM

Post #7 of 15 (2161 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

Well....if that is the case.......then replace it.....It's well with in your scope.....Price out a new switch.....you might be surprised at how cheap they are.....

Seriously.......This one is easier to fix than hack...


greasy one
User

Dec 14, 2012, 10:36 PM

Post #8 of 15 (2156 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

  Ima look into this, thanks


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 15, 2012, 4:03 AM

Post #9 of 15 (2152 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In


Quote
having done enough hack jobs and otherwise to keep everyone LOLing all over the place for awhile. Lemme start with twist wires sticking out of grill to start and stop alternator on 76 Coupe /1985.


And you're actually proud of that. You're at the wrong site for crap like that.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Fezer 690
Novice

Dec 15, 2012, 5:28 PM

Post #10 of 15 (2134 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

Ah, the second discription was much better.
I took the leberty of looking it up. It's roughly 79 Americain bucks from NAPA. part# BK 7352780
it says it fits a bunch of other vehicles too. You may be able to get good one from a wrecker cheaper, maybe.
Best of luck!


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Dec 15, 2012, 5:50 PM

Post #11 of 15 (2133 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

Junkyards aren't full of nice cars with new parts. You're looking for an electrical component for a 20 year old car. I'd say you're money ahead to buy the new one and never worry about it again. You can try shopping around on EBay or something for a lower price but buy the brand name. Chinese stuff is good for troubles later.


Sidom
Veteran / Moderator
Sidom profile image

Dec 15, 2012, 6:00 PM

Post #12 of 15 (2128 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

Ditto on that.............Wrecking yards are good for hard parts but when you start involving bearing & electrical parts it's not worth it....

I'm sure you could do better than 80 calms online......


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 15, 2012, 6:02 PM

Post #13 of 15 (2122 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

Yes, especially on a car that has probably had no windows for 2 years.



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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



greasy one
User

Dec 23, 2012, 10:29 PM

Post #14 of 15 (2068 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

  Well looky here, I come back for an update and more comments lol. The windows are fine and the problem with the high beams are now history. I decided, on my own, to blast with break cleaner and then canned air. Its like new and no $ or work of unknown quantity.


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Dec 24, 2012, 4:00 AM

Post #15 of 15 (2058 views)
Re: Irritable Highbeam Switch Sign In

I guess the fact that most brakekleen will melt plastic never entered your mind.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.







 
 
 






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