high beams cut out on an 84 ranger

[small ranger]

My 84 ranger has the stock headlight/dimmer switch installed. The fuse box has no fuses for the headlights. When I run the headlight on low beams they run fine but on high beams after a minute or two the lights cut out leaving me in the dark. If I turn the lights off and turn them back on again but on low beams they work fine. My question is since there is no fuse for the high or low beams is there a biometalic strip in the headlight/dimmer switch that could be worn out after 23 years? Thus causing light to go out only under the strain of high beams? Thanks for any input.


---dave

[RobbieD]

The headlights on an '84 have a fusible link (it should be on the fender well near the voltage regulator). Sounds like either the light switch or the dimmer switch is getting flaky.

[OilPatch197]

On my '84 the light switch was flaky!!!

Replaced it and a few months and same problem, just installed some relays and reduced current draw thru the switch and got current direct from a fused link to battery, no problems since.

[AllanD]

It isn't the main light switch but the hi-Lo contacts in the multifunction switch

If you are patient and used to doing "micro-surgery" you can take the switch apart and clean the contacts, but in general you are better off replacing it.

AD

[Wicked_Sludge]

i drove an 84 e-350 in which the high beams, after being on for 5 minutes or so, would start to flash on an off like christmas lights. turned out to be the dimmer switch (had a floor mounted dimmer).