I have recently rewired my '50 Chevy with all new components including headlight switch and dimmer switch. My headlights work with only one setting , when I step on the dimmer switch they go out. have I wired the dimmer backwards? and if I wire it the other way, what are the risks? I don't want to fry my wiring. Thanks guys and gals for your help.
It's possible to wire the dimmer switch wrong,but there could be other considerations. Is it possible you omitted hooking up one of the wires on the headlights? HRP
No, the wireloom was a kit. My thought is that if the switch is wired backwards then the feed would be reversed so that it would still work on the one setting (high beam?) but not the other as no electricity would flow because the circuit would be broken. Does that make sense?
amazing that it's difficult to find a definitive answer on the 'net. this post makes the most sense; http://www.canadianrodder.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3928 on another forum/post...one person said it doesn't matter which of the 2 is used for HI or LO, but that the center terminal should be the HOT from the main headlight switch.
the wiring diagram in the shop manual shows the front lead as the hot wire from the headlight switch to the dimmer which has three leads with screw type connectors.
think of the dimmer switch as a single pole double throw switch. as gatz said , power comes in one terminal and goes out either of the two other terminals depending on the position of the switch. for it to do what you are saying you must have the working side of the headlights connected on the switch where power in should be , and power where either high or low should be
The dimmer switch really doesn't care which terminal you use for hi or low beam,,but if your switch is like mine it has 3 terminals,,one wire could be crossed. HRP
Might not be the same issue but. My headlights would only work if I switched on my high beams when I re-wired. Check all three prongs are properly seated when you go from harness to high beam switch.
did the dimmer work before it was rewired? and if so how long ago? sometimes when dimmer switches sit and have not been used the contacts get dirty. this can sometimes be fixed by repeated pushing of the switch.
+1. To clarify this a bit, the 'power in' terminal is 'common' to the high/low terminals depending on switch position. Click the switch, and you'll read continuity between the common and low. Click again, common and high.
Good news! the dimmer switch was wired up wrong, did a little testing and swapped a couple of wires and now I'm good to go!
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