H'light switch trips circuit breaker

Hi there,

I've had a new headlight switch installed in a 69 Charger, now all the headlights work fine except that after a while the circuit breaker within the switch trips plunging me into darkness. The power to the switch is fine and it is definitely the power out that is failing. I spoke with the retailer who claimed they test every switch before sending. So is it a fault in the switch or does it meet the design and therefore there is another problem? Would a relay before the switch solve the problem.

Thanks Mopar brains

You might want to verify that you have a good ground connection for the headlight harness. The ground wire mounts to the radiator housing and is located in front of the battery. A poor ground could add resistance to the circuit.

I agree. Is the switch a repop or original, and if so is it unrestored or refurbished?

Amazingly quick replies, I can rely on you guys! The switch is brand new, but reproduction. I'll get the ground tested and see how we go.

Maybe it has bad contacts and the circuit is not making a connection (open circuit)

What is the amp rating of the circuit breaker? Do you have a mate with a DC amp-meter to measure the actual current with the hi-beams on? Did you crazy Aussies wire in aircraft landing lights to use as hi-beams?

Putting a couple of relays solved the problem and reduced future problems by running a much lower voltage through the firewall and switch.

Scotts it did it with both low and high beam, just took a little longer with the low beam. There isn't a real problem running landing lights :lol: just remember to switch them off below about 100mph as they get real warm ;) Using landing lights means the rabbits are cooked by the time you get to them.