My Willys 3A and 3B Community
TECH FAQ SECTIONS => Electrical Systems => Topic started by: aboyandhisdog on May 24, 2017, 11:12:02 PM
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Maybe somebody has had this happen or will know what to do.
When I pull out the Lights switch, the lights (head, running, and dash) will go on for an instant - maybe a half a second and then go dark. When they die, I hear a faint "ding" coming from the switch. If I pull it out again right away...nothing, no lights. But, if I wait about 5 seconds after pushing the switch back in, I will hear the same faint ding. Then if I pull the switch out again the lights will once again come on for an instant and then die.
Any thoughts? Is my switch bad? Thanks!
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Your switch seems to be working correctly. That ding you hear is the circuit breaker doing it's job of disconnecting the circuit because of a short in the wiring. Trace the wires, there's a bare spot touching the ground causing the breaker to trip.
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Yup better check your shorts Tom.. :D
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Is it a repro switch? There could be a short inside the switch, unlikely with an original switch but common in the repro stuff.
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Is it a repro switch? There could be a short inside the switch, unlikely with an original switch but common in the repro stuff.
Good to know, Bob. I don't have the switch out yet but do remember that it was pretty crusty last time I saw it. It could well be the OE switch. Going to go over all the wiring I can see first before pulling out the switch.
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It does look like it is probably the Omix switch, as best I can tell. The wires look okay and I can't smell a burned smell at all, but am having a time getting up under there to see what is going on. I ordered another switch on the hope that it is the problem. When I get the new switch, will probably just change out all of the wires for it - they look really old. Thanks for the help!
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Have you checked the muffler bearing?
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Will get right on that after I inspect the Johnson rods.
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Tom, while you are waiting on the switch disconnect the headlights at the bulkhead on the left fender. Pull the switch to the on position and see if the circuit breaker opens. If it does, your problem is the switch or the wiring from the switch to the bulkhead. If it doesn't your problem is from the bulkhead to the headlamps. I don't remember for sure, there may be a separate wire for the park lamps that you may also need to disconnect.
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Awesome, Glen - will try this tomorrow or Sat. thanks!
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Found a bad wire back by the RR tail light. All good now, thanks for the help!
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So you're good to go! See ya in 2 weeks!
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So you're good to go! See ya in 2 weeks!
You betcha!