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I'm stumped - headlights/ signals

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A continuity checker is not necessarily an indicator of continuity at the amperage of interest. I had an issue with a ground on one of my running lights where the continuity checker lit up just fine. Problem was, there was a lot of resistance across one of the connectors, but just enough continuity to allow the tiny amount of current needed to light the continuity checker bulb, but not enough to light up the running light bulb. You might have high resistance in the circuit but will never figure it out with the continuity checker.
 
good point, I'll follow it up
 
*sigh*


:jester:
 
well, of course the posts above are correct - enough for continuity, not enough for lighting. Futzed with it, sprayed stuff in it and got the lights working - sort of - decided to take apart the switch and definitively clean it. The good news is I've figured out what the problem is - it was corrosion and age that was just impeding everything. The bad news is the switch is in six pieces and totaled. (I just know there is an engineer term for that kind of thorough forensics.) So, next week my Moss guy gets a call.

Waxing eloquent now, I have realized over and over how sitting is the enemy of cars. Ms Triss sat 12-13 years before I got her and everything needed replacing. Certainly she is my car and I know her inside out and the wrenching brings me as much joy as the driving and for the most part I could stagger purchases and it is done right so I have no regrets about going this route, but, I am hard pressed to think of anything like that switch that hasn't been either replaced or disassembled and cleaned. I can also see why a tired car could just be a never ending source of grief to an uneducated owner or one who just wants to drive.

I'vs also said it before and will again - I so appreciate this board for wisdom, experience and encouragement all along.

will keep you posted.
 
I HIGHLY recommend a relay for the brake lights. Even with a new switch, the inherently terrible design can cause failures exactly like the one you just experienced. A relay will work even if the switch can only pass a trickle of current.
 
Interesting - this I hadn't thought of. let me work on that.
 
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