Headlight wierdness

[showbizkid]

Okay, I got another wierd wiring thing going on here [:I]

The headlight switch in my Lark is a new one. The PO told me he replaced it. However, it does not match the others in my car (smooth HL switch vs. ribbed everything else).

When I turn the headlight switch to the first position (which should be parking lights only), the low beams come on. Moving the switch to the second position (which should be headlights on) produces no change. And the hi/lo dimmer footswitch has no effect whatsoever.

I haven't dug into this yet (because my frustration level is rising!)... before I do, does this sound familiar to anyone? Is there a simple solution? (I hope...) Wrong switch? Stuff hooked up to wrong switch terminal? [?]


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 Lark Standard

[imported_n/a]

I would try using a switch that you know for certain is the correct one. Then, you can go from there.

[Roscomacaw]

I'm with Packe on this. Obviously, they got something that sorta worked. Electrical systems don't know when they're supposed to act different than how they were designed. They're kinda dumb, like that.[B)]

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[N8N]

A smooth switch should work fine, but make sure that you have the correct switch. I think there's at least two different switches that go into a Lark dash (there's four switches total, but two different basic designs) unless you have a box of spare switches laying around it might be easiest to just order the correct switch for your car and go from there.

Your problem might also be as simple as miswiring, but you might as well eliminate the switch as a potential source of problems first.

good luck,

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight

http://home.comcast.net/~njnagel

[Dwain G.]

The rocker switches used in sedan and wagon models '63 to '66 could have horizontal or vertical ridges, or be smooth. They could also be black. It all depends on what year model they were for. As Nate says, as long as it is the correct switch, with the correct terminals. These were used in a lot of commercial vehicles, such as school busses and semi tractors.
Yours should be installed thusly: Green wire to top terminal marked 'L', 2 black wires with yellow tracers to inside (toward center of car) middle terminal marked 'T' (this terminal busses over to the outside middle, but there is nothing attached there), Insulated black wire to inside bottom terminal 'B', Red wire with black tracer to outside bottom terminal 'H'.
Make sure your switch has the correct terminal letters, and that it isn't installed upside down.


Dwain G.

[showbizkid]

Thanks, guys. I'll order the part today.


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 Lark Standard

[showbizkid]

I find that the '63 Lark headlight switch is NLA. Anyone have a good used one they'd like to sell? [B)]


[img=left]http://members.cox.net/clarknovak/lark.gif[/img=left]

Clark in San Diego
'63 Lark Standard

[Roscomacaw]

I think I have one. I'll have to check.

Miscreant at large.

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe
1957 President 2-dr
1955 President State
1951 Champion Biz cpe
1963 Daytona project FS

[StudeRich]

Clark; it sounds to me like the headlights are plugged into the Instr. lights terminal on the Hd. Lt. Sw. The NO High beams is probably another condition like: disconnected wire at dimmer sw., bad dimmer, burned out high beams etc.

quote:Originally posted by showbizkid

Okay, I got another wierd wiring thing going on here [:I]
The headlight switch in my Lark is a new one. The PO told me he replaced it. However, it does not match the others in my car (smooth HL switch vs. ribbed everything else).
When I turn the headlight switch to the first position (which should be parking lights only), the low beams come on. Moving the switch to the second position (which should be headlights on) produces no change. And the hi/lo dimmer footswitch has no effect whatsoever.
I haven't dug into this yet (because my frustration level is rising!)... before I do, does this sound familiar to anyone? Is there a simple solution? (I hope...) Wrong switch? Stuff hooked up to wrong switch terminal?

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA