1970 2002 hazard switch

[DW144]

Hello - I just picked up a 1970 2002 in fairly original condition - my headlights aren’t working unless I pull the ‘twig’ on the left side of the steering column toward me. I’ll assume that is activating the bright lights? When I do this and release, the lights turn back off. My headlight pull switch is not turning anything on but the amber running lights and tails. When I turn the dimming functionality of the switch hard over to the right, the instrument cluster lights up and red and yellow dash lights turn on as if the ignition key is turned on in the auxiliary position. 

 

also, if the engine is running and the headlight switch is turned (dimmer function) all the way hard over to the right, and I turn the ignition key to the ‘off’ position, the engine keeps running as if the  ignition is still on. 
 

 I know this is a lot, but I can’t sleep because of it. 
 

im also I’m search of a hazard switch for this if anyone out there has an extra one. 
 

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I’ll assume a PO did some stuff. 
 

wiring diagrams I’m finding are hit or miss for this thing. 
 

but man, do I love this little car! 

[MikeD]

What is the VIN?

[DW144]

1671831

[Son of Marty]

do you have the ignition switch in the run position when your testing your headlights? It must be in the run position or all that will come on is the parking lights.

[DW144]

Yes, I am testing with the ignition in the run position. 
 

There are two sticks on the column, the right one which runs the turn signals and washer, and the left one which I am uncertain of it’s functionality. 
 

when the ignition is on or off and I manipulate the left one toward me, the headlights come on like I am flashing my high beams in a normal car. It will not stay in this position. It has an up and down position as well but as far as I know, it is not doing anything. 

[dlhoovler]

It sounds like something is shorting out in the steering column; removal of the under-dash panels and steering column pads will be your best bet to find out what is going on. 

 

What I can be more helpful with is your controls. On my early 1971 (7000 cars behind yours), the headlights are not on switched power - they stay on with the ignition off. The top left pull switch beside the gauges should turn on first the parking lights, then the headlights. Your left-hand stalk is the dimmer switch. As you've discovered, pull to flash the brights. The lower position rotationally is low beam; moving the stalk up switches to high beam. 

 

The right-hand stalk controls the turn signals rotationally and activates the windshield washer when pulled toward you. The lower right pull switch beside the gauges turns the wipers to low (first position) and high (second position). 

 

And, possibly, the right-hand stalk will also activate the European single-sided parking lights when signaling a turn with the ignition off. Signaling left lights the parking lights on the left side of the car, and right for right. 

 

For the short, I'd start looking around the ignition switch and the left stalk, then move to the light switch on the dashboard. 

 

-Dave

[DW144]

Thank you very much Dave. I know it may seem elementary to some, I need to establish a starting point and you have given me a good one.

[Mike Self]

Since you have a six fuse car, you'll soon discover the headlights not only don't have relays, they aren't fused at all (scary, but I've not had a fire yet from mine).  If I had to hazard a guess as to your problem, I would point my finger at the high/low beam stalk on the steering column's left side.  All headlight wiring runs through that switch, so if it's broken or unplugged, no lights.  

 

IIRC your year's 2002 has individual wires running to each terminal on the column stalk; if a critical one is unplugged/broken, or if the contacts inside the switch are dirty, then no headlights.   If you take the steering column covers off, that will reveal the business end of the high/low beam stalk so you can check for loose or missing wires, and clean the contacts with a can of spray tuner cleaner. 

 

You might also check the ground wires for both headlights--they run from the sealed beam plugs to a ground on the body; they're probably OK since your high beam flasher will turn the high beams on. 

 

13 hours ago, DW144 said:

also, if the engine is running and the headlight switch is turned (dimmer function) all the way hard over to the right, and I turn the ignition key to the ‘off’ position, the engine keeps running as if the  ignition is still on. 

This isn't normal.  The PO must have mis-installed some wires somewhere, probably at the ignition switch.  On the electrical part of that switch, there's a big thick red wire that's hot all the time; your lights all feed from there.  There's also another wire that's hot only when the ignition is on (color varies by year); that's what feeds things like gauges, horn, heater blower, turn signals etc.  Another possible crossover point--between always hot and only-hot-with-the ignition-on--is at your (missing?) emergency flasher switch.  Turn signals work only with the ignition on; emergency flashers must work with the ignition off.  If the switch is defective, or if a PO has tied the wrong wires together to make up for the missing switch, you'll get a +12v feed from the always hot circuit to the ignition on only hot circuit, causing all sorts of interesting problems--as you're discovered.

 

Do some checking and let us know whatcha find...and welcome to the '02 fraternity/sorority.

 

mike

Edited May 31, 2020 by mike

[DW144]

Thanks Mike! I’m going to be all over this now! 

[DW144]

Ok so I’ve spent some time reading wiring diarrhea-grams on this car and like Johnny Cash said, it’s a 49,50,51,52....

seems my ‘70 has wiring from many different 2002s. Not one diagram is 100%, but when used together I think I’m getting somewhat educated on the subject. Pshychobilly Cadillac.

 

I have a new (old stock) headlight dip switch that just arrived for the left side stock and I’m going to put it in tonight. Hopefully that works. I’ve “hotwired” a toggle switch for that last few days after tracing wires and checking continuity and fuses, so I have headlights when I scream around the neighborhood. So far, it’s working. I was able to single out the 4 wires on the switch to determine what went where and why. Yellow, yellow/white, red and white. 
I’m turning on the amber running lights, tails and number plate lights with the normal pull switch in the dash and flipping the toggle I wired to turn on the headlights separately. 
 

wires look like they’ve gotten hot in the past and are getting warm fellas. Not burning hot, but warm, which concerns me. I’m a fire safety guy and don’t like warm wires. 
 

Attached is a pic of the old switch with wires as I found it. The switch is wiggly and toasty. 

 

 

[DW144]

As for the hazard- I installed a new-ish hazard switch just to make sure. That doesn’t do anything. When I pull it up (assuming that’s to activate) all that happens is my turn signals stop working. (Ignition on)

 

ignition off,  nothing.

ignition on, dead turn signals. 
 

 

thanks to you guys and this FAQ, I’m feeling confident it’s only a matter of time before it’s all sorted. I’ll keep you updated on my progresses 

Edited June 6, 2020 by DW144

[DW144]

Update: 

 

The new high beam dip switch has solved the headlight mystery. The pull switch now works the system as it should. 
 

I am focusing my attention now on the cause of the failure - heat to the switch. 
 

I’ve seen others speak on this faq about adding relays to the system for protection.  I am not familiar with the process, any help here would be greatly appreciated!

 

hazards still no bueno. 

Edited June 6, 2020 by DW144

[dlhoovler]

For your hazards, check on the left inner fender just below the fuse box. On the wiring looms there, you may have a black fuse holder for one of the original-style ceramic fuses. This is the fuse for the hazard circuit; see if it's blown. 

 

-Dave 

[DW144]

Thanks Dave - I do not see a fuse holder. Could it be under the fuse block where the wires tuck into the fender? See photos 

Edited June 6, 2020 by DW144

[dlhoovler]

I doubt it's hiding under the fuse block. See the picture of mine. Yours also doesn't have the diagnostic plug. Both must have been added somewhere in those 7000 cars between ours. 

 

-Dave