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Since we are asking really dumb dash questions

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davidrobrien1

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So, I'm new here and need some help, and since we are asking "really dumb dash questions", I have a problem that I cannot seem to solve.
My headlight switch stopped working and I bought a new one from Victoria British (who don't have staff that can help me solve my problem).
New switch has three prongs..three wires come from dash (brown, blue, and red w/green stripe). Have tried EVERY (and I do mean every) possible combination of wires on tabs and cannot seem to get lights to work.
Any suggestions (and I did verify that fuses are intact).
New switch has three toggle positions. I assume that up is parking, middle or neutral position is off, and down is headlights..right?
 
The other thing that you might consider is that the switch is fine, but you have a short or bad ground.

Where in WA are you?
 
David,

The brown wire is the power wire TO the headlight switch. This wire is hot all the time and is NOT fused.

The blue wire is power FROM the headlight switch to the dimmer switch. It is hot when the headlights are on, and is not fused.

The red/green wire is power FROM the headlight switch to the fuse box, and then to the parking lights. It is hot when the switch is in the middle position, and is not fused until it gets to the fuse box (it becomes red wires after the fuse).

Before you go further with the switch, confirm that the wiring is correct. Connect the blue wire to the brown wire and you should have the headlights on. Then conect the red/green wire to the brown wire and the parking lights should be on. If these tests work, then you can go to the switch and figure it out (I don't have the connection data handy right now - maybe someone else will have the answer).

In the OFF position, there should be no connection betwen any of the switch terminals. In the middle position, there should be continuity between two of the terminals. In the other position, there should be continuity between ALL the terminals.

UP on the switch should be all lights off, mid position should be parking lights only, and down should be all lights on - headlight and parking.

For a clear set of wiring diagrams, in color and easy to read, go to: https://www.advanceautowire.com and click on the "Stock Schematics" button.

Hope this helps.

Dan
 
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