[Taylor47]

I installed LED headlights a few months back. As most have noticed with this upgrade fog lights no longer operate and high beam indicator no longer illuminates. As I was trying to fix this issue I think I royally screwed the pooch. I was messing with the H-LP relay (I am fairly confident this is the headlamp relay) I was attempting to jump power between the terminals in this relay block when headlights, tailights, gauge lights, and radio stopped working. The headlights still pop up when combo switch is in "flash" position. The headlights only illuminated when I jump H-LP relay terminal 1 to ground and push the relay on the connector (with term 1 still grounded). This is the only way I can get the headlights to illuminate now other than supplying power to the headlight fuses ( which don't have power). Even with headlights illuminated tailight(fuse has power), dash(fuse has power), and radio inop. I feel like it's an issue with the RCR (retract control relay) or potentially the combo switch. Would anyone have some recommendations for me? I know I kinda f'd up but I swear I understand electrical pretty decent. This car is a rats nest of spliced wires.
Every fuse on the car tests good except no power to headlight fuse.

 

[Taylor47]

Well... Here's an update before I try a new post. My lights don't operate under any condition but flash but taillights, markers, and dash lights do not operate unless in flash and combo switch is on head. Any help will be appreciated.

 

[Taylor47]

Update... Fixed! Disassembled the "light control" section of the combo switch found build up on the contacts and the contacts had been bent down. Cleaned it up, sanded contacts, pulled up the 3 little prong contacts and it works great. I have not seen anyone dissassemble the light control section ( the twisty part that turns the lights on) only the dimmer switch section of the combo switch. Maybe this fix won't last forever but it works for now. If anyone wants pictures or more explanation lmk.

 

[GDII]

Update... Fixed! Disassembled the "light control" section of the combo switch found build up on the contacts and the contacts had been bent down. Cleaned it up, sanded contacts, pulled up the 3 little prong contacts and it works great. I have not seen anyone dissassemble the light control section ( the twisty part that turns the lights on) only the dimmer switch section of the combo switch. Maybe this fix won't last forever but it works for now. If anyone wants pictures or more explanation lmk.

I think an explanation and some photo would definitely be useful for people. I've heard of it being an issue for a few people and they end up replacing the whole unit.

Possibly renaming the thread to something like 'How to disassemble, clean and fix light controls SW20'.

 

[Taylor47]

HOW TO DISSASSEMBLE, CLEAN AND FIX LIGHT CONTROL SW20

Start by removing this little cap on the very end of your combination switch. It is easiest if you pry with a pick from the center of the rounded side of this half moon shape.

Pry from here

Now you will see two tabs and a metal bar.

you need to pry these plastic tabs away from the metal bar. Pry the plastic tabs away from the metal bar(outward).

Plastic tabs

Metal bar

Then you can simply pull it off

 

[Taylor47]

Then just clean the contacts on both sides (sand paper a little) and if necessary pull the prong like contacts up and everything should work much better.

Put everything back as you disassembled and hopefully you just saved a little money and headache replacing the whole combo switch.

 

[Taylor47]

Hopefully these pictures are helpful in understanding dissassembly I was concerned about breaking stuff during this fix. Just know you need to pull the tabs away from this metal shaft (I took a ton of pictures of the slot the plastic pieces go into).

 

[GDII]

Excellent documentation! It will help others for sure. I for one had no idea how to do this or what the mechanism was to control the circuits. Thank you.

 

[mtang65]

I know one day, I will have to use this document to repair/refurbish mine. Good job.