Looks like my 1996 T wagon needs a new headlight switch. Last night when I switched the lights on, the headlights come on very quickly and went off while the running lights stayed on. I turned them off and on again and the same thing happened. Then the headlights would only come on when I pressed in the ****. Starting making my way home.

When I would release pressure the headlights went off. Sometimes when I applied pressure all lights, even dash lights went off. Then I would jiggle the **** and running and dash light would return but no headlights.

Read post from a few years ago when someone had a similiar sounding issue. Tech asked if the ****/switch seemed loose or hard. Thiers was hard. However, mine is soft. I can push in, wiggle the whole switch housing as it appears loose. Also when the car is on, this causes the lights to come on and/or go off, except the headlights won't come on anymore at all.

Called the local dealership as Tech thought there was a recall on the switch for the 1996 cars. I was told that was for 1998. I gave them my VIN so they looked up what recalls applied.

It appears to me that as you rotate the switch from off to on, it is now missing making contact, hence the headlights don't come on and the **** is now soft/loose and I don't remember this, I remember it being a solid fit.

So, looked at my manual (Haynes) and I can't see any instruction on how to replace the switch. I don't know if I can pull the ****, and somehow remove the plate as it appears to be independant of the whole dash. Or (like one would expect) it has to come out from behind. So does that mean I have to remove the dash pad cover and then the whole dash, or does someone have the procedure to replace the switch.

Thanks in advance for all your help, as in the past you folks have been great.
Ray

 

Hey Folks
Found a way to remove the switch out through the hole. Uuplugged and found the bottom of the switch plastic failing. Good new electrical tape wrapped it tight and reinstalled and good as new. Now I can go driving this Friday night.

You'all have a great weekend.

Ray

 

Those headlight switches were recalled for that problem...

 

Thanks, just did the "tape repair" on my wife's 96 850. The local auto shop wanted big $$$ just to look at it.

 

Get a switch from a junk yard. You can also take the switch apart and super glue the broken parts.

 

Thanks, that will be a more permanent repair.

 

The tape makes a good "get me home" repair but each time you use it and it heats up that tape will weaken and slip. Come summer with the higher interior temps if you used black electrical tape it's going to melt and be a mess.

 

You are so right. The tape lasted less than 24 hours :-). I took it out and glued it together, works great. Thanks for all the help.

 

For a good inexpensive DIY fix you just need to be smarter than the broken part

Finally fixed my front seat. Works so much better than the bungee cords !!