Electrical: Headllight switch kicks on and off

[dallastx75208]

Have a 62 Hawk. Just installed a new headlight switch. This is not rocket science. After about 5 min the headlights will shut off. I can hear the breaker kick them off. Then about two min later they will turn on. It seems the breaker is kicking things on and off. I did not have this problem with my old switch. The only reason I changed them was so they would match the other switches. There are only 4 wires. One, power in. The other three are headlights, taillights, and front running lights. They are wired so the headlights and taillights come on in one direction and then wired so front running lights and taillights come on. That is all there is to it.
Has anyone else had this problem? Both switches have a 20 breaker. I wonder if my new breaker is bad causing them to kick off.

[rkapteyn]

Replace the breaker.!

[thunderations]

If you have switched headlights to something that draws more current it could be just doing it's job. If that were the case, you would need to wire a relay into the circuit.

[Bud]

It sounds like the circuit breaker needs to be replaced. Try switching the new breaker with the old one and I would suspect your problem will disappear. Bud

[raoul5788]

Since you just replaced the switch, that's the first place I'd look. It may be faulty.

[studegary]

I agree with Chip. The relay worked correctly before you changed the switch. Either when you installed the switch something is wired incorrectly or is touching ground or the switch is defective (could be the case either for a new one or a used one).

[dallastx75208]

Thanks for all the replies. Going to try a new breaker. I went back to the old switch with all the same wires and it stayed on. Then put on the new switch and it all happen again. Even kicked off with just the headlights on and the bulbs puled for the tail lights.

[thunderations]

If it worked with the old switch and didn't work with the new switch, why are you replacing the breaker. It's the switch that malfunctioning.

[dallastx75208]

Both switches have a different breaker system. You can hear the breaker kick off and kick back on when the new one is wired in. The old one does not do that. Because the breakers are different I can't swap them out.

[55 56 PREZ 4D]

Could it be that the old breaker wasn't working and it wouldn't trip ?
Are the existing wires crispy ?
You may have had a problem with the wiring all along and the new one is working.
Can you test the circuit breaker, put a load on and find out at what amp they trip ?
Pulling the bulbs doesn't address a ground at the wires.
Can you put the wires on independently to see is one circuit is grounded ?

[dallastx75208]

It seems it was the breaker. PUt a new one in and the lights have stayed on for 20 min. They use to go off about 4 min after being on.
Thanks for everyone help. Electric can be a pain to deal with when wires go everywhere under the dash.