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Old 10-21-2019, 09:48 AM   #1
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Headlights

My headlight switch is overheating with headlights on, no with running lights. Should I replace headlight bulbs with leds and will this help. 97 dutchstar dp
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Old 10-21-2019, 10:06 AM   #2
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The headlight switch should not be "overheating"
First - how are you determining "overheat" Is it getting warm? A certain amount is to be expected.

A bad ground can be contributing.

LED lights generally take less amperage for same light output so that would help. But...there is an issue with the electrical system that needs attention if it truly is overheating.
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Old 10-21-2019, 10:46 AM   #3
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Headlights

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dav L View Post
The headlight switch should not be "overheating"
First - how are you determining "overheat" Is it getting warm? A certain amount is to be expected.

A bad ground can be contributing.

LED lights generally take less amperage for same light output so that would help. But...there is an issue with the electrical system that needs attention if it truly is overheating.


I have replaced the ground, it is making good contact. The terminal on the switch gets hot enough to burn if you touch it.
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Old 10-21-2019, 11:00 AM   #4
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Unplug the headlamp bulbs and see if it still gets hot.

If it does, you have a short or overload somewhere.

It worked for years so a LED bulb change isn't the answer.
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Old 10-21-2019, 11:07 AM   #5
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I unplugged headlights and switch doesn’t get hot
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Old 10-21-2019, 11:54 AM   #6
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All suggestions are appreciated.
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Old 10-21-2019, 12:11 PM   #7
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If it is a ford switch then replace the switch, ford had problems some times with

there switches over heating.

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Old 10-21-2019, 12:57 PM   #8
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Headlights

Chevy switch, replaced it last year after it was doing the same thing, Ford headlights.
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Old 10-21-2019, 12:58 PM   #9
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Also replaced the ground
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Old 10-21-2019, 01:53 PM   #10
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Does the light switch control a relay or drive the headlight bulb directly? What ground did you address? There are probably several. Post a link to the schematic.
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Old 10-21-2019, 02:11 PM   #11
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Don’t know about a relay, I’m sure there is one, the ground from the headlight wiring harness.
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Old 10-21-2019, 03:04 PM   #12
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You need to find the electrical schematic to know what to do next.
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Old 10-21-2019, 05:14 PM   #13
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The switch is getting hot. The SWITCH is bad. It has developed a high-resistance connection within the switch. That bad connection generates heat when current passes through it.
Installing LED headlights will fix the problem...for a while. They always (not “generally”) draw less current than an incandescent lamp. Less current = less heat. But you would be treating the symptom, not the disease.

It’s not a relay.
It’s not a ground.
It’s the switch.
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Old 10-21-2019, 05:34 PM   #14
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Or............your problem could be a loose connection at the switch?
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