I just recently registered here to help my uncle fix his '90 Camaro which was having headlight problems. His dimmer switch began getting picky and then flickering, only to eventually completely fail and leave him with NO headlights at all.

After scaring the crap out of someone by following them home with no lights on, he took it to a local mechanic who held onto the car for three days and was stumped and told him the complete turn signal/dimmer stalk would have to be replaced to the tune of over $100 not including labor.

Luckily my uncle is a cheap bastard and did not bite on that offer. I try to do a lot of my own work on my own car (VW) so I offered to take a whack at it. I searched and found some great threads on these boards and replaced the dimmer switch for him for less than $10. I just wanted to thank this community for the indirect help you gave. My first car was an 86 Camaro not unlike his... I wish I knew about this board back then!

I'll be grilling you guys some more later as his headlight problems go further than just the dimmer. When I replaced the switch, I found that it had a meltdown and partially fused itself to the harness. There was some damage to the harness, so first of all, would replacing this harness be cheap? Also, is it normal for these switches to burn/melt when they fail, or does this indicate further problems? (Please no....)

Thanks again!

 

If the headlight switch failed due to marginal contact, there may have been enough resistive heating conducted out the terminals to cause damage to the switch connector. If the connector is damaged, it should be replaced to insure good contact and prevent another failure, or worse, fire.

You can get a replacement connector at most good auto parts stores. That leaves out places like Ought-Tow-Zone and Larry, Curly, and Moe's. You'll have to go to a REAL parts store that has the Standard Motor Products or full Dorman line of parts, They can match or look up your connector and order one.

 

And not to pick on you, but if you have a VW, you likely have quite enough experience in automotive wiring repairs. If not, you're one of the fortunate few.

 

Now that was cold Vader!!!!!!!!! J/K

 

Ironically, I had loads of electrical problems with my camaro (alternator, coil, no rear window defrost, etc) and the Jeep that replaced it, but I haven't had a blessed one with the VW in the four years I've owned it. I guess comparing a 2001 with a 1986 is a bit lopsided though.

I appreciate the input. Thanks.