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Problems with low beam switch - And, how to reattach signal stalk properly?

Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2018 8:19 pm
by Ava92
Hey all

I put in LED sealed beams about 1 year ago. Been dailying it without issue until now, the Low-beam stopped working only on one side.
I swapped the bulbs and problem persisted (same side), so it's not the bulbs.

1. I read online it could be either the signal stalk, or the white dial switch. Removed my white dial, took it apart, and all my circuit board and wire connections look fine. Should I just blob some solder on each point to be safe?

2. While tinkering, I stupidly removed the 2 golden screws holding in the signal stalk spring. I now have no clue how to reattach it properly? The stalk wants to "push" itself forward all the time now (highbeam). With the slightest pressure it pops into highbeam mode (forward)...is there a certain way to put the spring back so it work like OEM? It felt 100% fine before. Tried reattaching it for an hour straight. I only detached the little silver cover that holds the spring inside the gold cylinder. Is the spring supposed to sit naked against the silver part? did i lose some tiny piece somewhere? searched my floor and didn't see anything

Thanks for taking the time to look at my post. I do have a test light if needed

Re: Problems with low beam switch - And, how to reattach signal stalk properly?

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2018 2:38 am
by jondee86
You were messing with this thing... ?

Image

This page from the AE86 Body Manual has a mention of installing the lever...

Image

Apparently there is a ball involved and a specific way for assembling the arm
to the switch. But I have never played with one so I can't give you any advice.

Cheers... jondee86

Re: Problems with low beam switch - And, how to reattach signal stalk properly?

Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2018 1:48 pm
by UNLIMITED 86
Yes. The problem sounds like the ball detent isn't working properly. One of the pieces (ball or spring) probably fell out without you noticing. Works kind of like a retractable pen.

Take it apart again and look carefully. Due to age, you should see the wear marks where the ball (or spring thats usually behind it) once lived.

Re: Problems with low beam switch - And, how to reattach signal stalk properly?

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2018 11:54 am
by Ava92
Yea that's the thing
I have the spring but no ball! I'll keep lookin around for it
I have it reassembled and it "works", but doesn't feel OEM-smooth - it sort of grinds when I push it into highbeam

Still haven't fixed the low beam problem either, I guess it must be wiring somewhere since the switch looks fine and the bulbs are ok

I appreciate the help especially the page

Re: Problems with low beam switch - And, how to reattach signal stalk properly?

Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2018 3:52 pm
by UNLIMITED 86
Any ball that fits will work. Sounds like the original is a lost cause. Take an old ball bearing apart or use a BB (as in BB gun?), they come in different sizes.

I recently had the same issue with my left side headlight. I thought it was the bulb so I bought a replacement. Decided to wait until I finished my swap to install the new bulb but once I got it running, the light was working again.

While doing the swap, I did notice a few wires going to my under hood fuse box had seen better days so I fixed them. Looking back, i probably fixed my headlight without knowing kt. You might want to look there.

Re: Problems with low beam switch - And, how to reattach signal stalk properly?

Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2018 8:14 am
by notnilc20
Never mess with the 2 Golden screws! j/k...been there before and it is a total pain to get it back in place. took me around an hour fiddling with it...finally my wife had to do it for me because I was about to snap the thing out of frustration. hope you got it situated.

Re: Problems with low beam switch - And, how to reattach signal stalk properly?

Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2019 10:07 pm
by assassin10000
It's a 7mm ball bearing. I bought a switch missing that a few years ago and had to source a replacement.

Need one? I still have a few spares laying around. Email me at my 'username' at hotmail.com

Re: Problems with low beam switch - And, how to reattach signal stalk properly?

Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:23 pm
by Ava92
thanks all, got it fixed soon after but forgot my forum password.

it was a wiring issue like you said UNLIMITED 86

appreciate the offer assassin10000, but got it working great again with a BB