Headlight Switch Problems

[Tony Hoffman]

I'd start by checking the grounds for the lights and relays. Also,
double-check the engine to chassis to battery ground.

Are the city lights on their own relay? If so, what position normally
powers them? I'm assuming the parking light circuit. If so, you may
have to get a meter or test light and trace back to where they are fed
from.

Tony




On Thu, Apr 8, 2010 at 7:35 PM, Kevin Kirwin <kev.kirwin at gmail.com> wrote:
> Got some funkyness going on with my headlights.  Car is an Avant with
> Relayed Euros.  Here are a few of the strange symptoms...
>
> The city lights are on all the time even after I shut the car off and the
> key out of the ignition.
>
> With the car off and key out of the ignition when I flick the headlight
> switch all the way up the city lights go out (dash lights come on as
> normal).
>
> With the key in the ignition and turned to the on position when I flick the
> headlight switch all the way up the passenger side High Beam comes on.  When
> I push the headlight switch forward to high beam the passenger side light
> goes out and drivers side high beam lights up.
>
> Things I have checked/troubleshot...
>
> Inline fuses in the wiring harness are fine.
>
> Fuses in the fuse box are fine.
>
> Relays have been swapped with known good ones.
>
> Disconnected battery and cleaned the battery charging post and connection
> from Euro wiring harness with sand cloth to ensure strong connection.
>
> Changed bulbs.
>
> Checked wiring harness for f'ed up wiring.
>
> Installed a used headlight switch from another avant.
>
> Both switches are giving the same weird light symptoms.  Should I assume
> both switches are toast since I have the same problems?  Is there anyway to
> test the switch?  Also, is there a way to take the switch apart and repair
> it?  Is the guts of the switch under those small torx? screws?
>
> TIA
>
> -Kev
>