Light switch, needs advice

[Nielsk]

Hi Guys.
I'm fixing a lot of small issues on a Tudor sedan I bought last autumn.
Besides bent spokes, cracked manifold, brakes not adjusted, I have to look at the electrical system.
It was easy to fix the wiring so the headlights dipped at the same time, the brake light was 21 w in both sides and so on.
BUT: Often switching on high beam, would result in only glow in one headlight and one rear light. I would fettle a little with the light switch and connections, and get none the wiser. .
Then it would work again a couple of times.
I decided that the crappy chinese light switch was to blame, so i soldered a good used original one on instead. I still got the same problem. Have I overlooked something ??
NielsK

[CarlG]

That's typically a grounding problem. Just make sure that all of your light fixtures are well grounded and that will probably fix the problem. I have run extra ground wires to my just about everything. Rust, paint, and a myriad of other things have crept in over the last 80+ years.

[ericr]

what type of connection system are you using where the wires enter the headlamp?

[1930artdeco]

Welcome to the Barn, and the grounding is probably the issue. Please post some pics and a location so someone can give you a hand if you want.

Mike

[Tom Wesenberg]

My taillight has some rust, thus preventing a good ground. Until I get time to restore the complete light I just ran a copper standed wire into the side of the bulb and the other end under the mounting screw. Works great now, but I'll fix it proper when time allows.

[Nielsk]

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Grounding was my first thought. But it's a 2 filament bulb. So I should have problems with the dipped beam also. It also bothers me that taillights are ok with dipped beam. But when shifting to high I have a glow in left front and right rear. Harness is a aftermarked item. Car was "restored" 5 - 6 years ago

[C26Pinelake]

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

My taillight has some rust, thus preventing a good ground. Until I get time to restore the complete light I just ran a copper standed wire into the side of the bulb and the other end under the mounting screw. Works great now, but I'll fix it proper when time allows.

I did the same as Tom but because it worked so well I have not completed the permanent fix. Wayne

[1crosscut]

Could it be your high beam contact post(s) in the light socket(s) are shorted?
Have you left the lights on this way for any length of time? I.E. wires heating up / blowing a fuse.

[Nielsk]

I did change the switch with a original one in good condition. I soldered all the connectors as opposed the China crap that was in there with modern connectors. It didn't change a thing, much to my surprise. I was convinced that it was the Chinese switch failing. Especially because, when I fiddeled around with it, not finding anything conclusive, it would work a short period.

[Nielsk]

Ok guys
I ended up realizing it didn't help feeling sorry for myself.
So I but my brain in forward
I took the light switch apart and used a piece of welding rod to connect the live wire to the other wires one by one. Everything lit up perfectly EXCEPT high beam. Ok switch is ruled out. so it has to be the wiring. While i was pondering this problem I was playing with the piece of rod, and suddenly realised that I could hear a faint clicking sound
Now I just have to locate that small fu½§#%%¤&%@@ng relais and fix it.
It was too cold and too late to continue. But now I victory is in sight