Headlight fuse keeps blowing

[liltuber]

So I have a little problem I cant turn on my headlights on my 71 z. If I remember correctly I used to be able to fiddle with the light switch on and off and eventually the lights would come on. This was about a year ago. I have since gone away to school. At some point when I was back I realized that the "on and off until the lights come on" tactic no longer worked. I found a blown fuze to be the issue. I replaced the fuse but as soon as i turned the ignition to acc the second fuse down on the right blows(I cant remember if that matches with the left or right headlight at the moment).

Anyway, I followed the wires as best as I could, and didnt find any damage or shorts. I did make the mistake of putting a 20 amp fuse in its place. Then the first fuse on the right blew and the lights came on and stayed on even if i turned the lights off via the switch. I quickly fixed this fuse error though. I was wondering if anyone had some advise.

Another strange fuse issue. The fuse for the dome light and side markers gets pretty hot. Its the correct size fuse and everything works, but im worried about the heat. The fuse doesnt blow so I dont know what to think.

Any advise helps,

Adam

[beandip]

Adam, if the fuse and or the wiring become heated , you either have a short or partial one, or some corrosion on some contacts. This causes high resistance and will damage your wiring and may melt the fuse block. Putting the combo switch under a load like this can/will cause it to fail.

It sounds like your Combination switch is in trouble .

There is a member on this site that rebuilds them. Not cheep to replace.

Gary

[gotswap]

Mine was not as bad as the fuse would get VERY hot. I ended up pulling the combo switch off pulling it apart to clean all the contacts then went through all the connections with some dielectric grease. That helped a bunch but since my fuse box was also shot I purchased the aftermarket fuse box from MSA I think. Problems solved.

[liltuber]

Thanks guys. I understand the dangers of hot electrical components so I pulled the fuse that was getting toasty. I will give the combo switch a good cleaning and see if that gets me anywhere. Before I go out and buy another set of fuses... I can measure amperage with a meter cant I? If its too high it would have blown a fuse, correct? That way im not using trial and error technique with fuses.

Also, the turn signals dont work, FML. I'm down to hand signals .

[liltuber]

Small update. I put my multimeter across the fuse gap and it was reading 33 amps! So isn't there something that should be chopping that down like a relay?

[Zs-ondabrain]

did'nt read Gary's post, did ya?

Email me at wolfin32z and I'll sell you a Headlight upgrade harness, which is a Relay upgrade for your headlights. Or buy one from Motorsport Auto at www.zcarparts.com go to the stock parts area and look in the "New Technologies" area. Think hard about the Parking light upgrade harness as well.

And I'm the guy that sells the upgrades and rebuilds the switches.

Dave

Edited August 12, 2009 by Zs-ondabrain

[liltuber]

Haha, yes i read his post. I believe he has helped me greatly in the past. I guess i just like to tinker and try to fix stuff myself first. I'll be dropping the car off at the painters in a week so if I cant fix it I will definately be in contact with you when I come back from college. Im going to go with a metallic charcoal I think.

I'll post results of my tinkering.

Adam

[Zs-ondabrain]

That should look nice on a Z.

I'll be here, just let me know,

Dave