Headlight dip switch on stalk

[Mike Anderson]

Hi again any advice appreciated.
The dip main switch works but is very sensitive. Often when going over a bump it will go from full beam to dip.
Has anyone else encountered this problem?
Will it involve new parts and can they still be obtained?
Many thanks Mike

[fay66]

Hi again any advice appreciated.
The dip main switch works but is very sensitive. Often when going over a bump it will go from full beam to dip.
Has anyone else encountered this problem?
Will it involve new parts and can they still be obtained?
Many thanks Mike

Mike.
Are you talking series one Fulvia? if so the springs in the switch are weak, unless you can tighten them up I think you'll need another switch, I had to do so to cure the problem on my 2c.
If you need one I can probably help.

Brian
8227

[JohnMillham]

It could be quite useful when driving over a hump back bridge. Years ago I did just that in my Mini, driving much too fast, only to find that the road turned through 90 degrees on the other side and there was a wall in front of me.

Trouble was I didn't know which way the road went! My headlamps lit the sky and the wall, but not the road. Luckily I guessed correctly - or I wouldn't be here now.
Regards, John

[Mike Anderson]

Hi Brian and John thanks very much for your replies. I should have mentioned that my car is a 1970 Flavia 2000 Coupe.
I don't know how the Flavia stalk compares to the Fulvia one. I'm reluctant to try to take it apart as it may go from malfunctioning to non functioning.I'm quite new to Lancia's but it does seem that parts can be difficult to get hold of and expensive. I don't drive that much after dark so it may be a problem that I have to live with. I think my days of driving fast are behind me otherwise I wouldn't have sold my '66 Mustang V8 and got a much more sedate but incomparably better engineered and built Lancia! 

[brian]

My guess is that it is shorting through the column or the middle part of the switch. I had something similar many years ago on my 2000 saloon and the small grey wire had lost a mm of insulation.
Also I have disconnected the headlight flasher relay on my Sport as the lights came on going round corners and I found locating the short somewhere down the steering column too difficult. So if I sail past a Lancia coming in the opposite direction it is not rudeness!

Brian

[Mike Anderson]

Hi Brian. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll have a look to see if there is a short but it does seem to be more like the actual switch being jolted by bumps etc.

[peterbaker]

My switch also has a mind of its own and is on the list of jobs to do. Will let you know the outcome.

[Mike Anderson]

Hi Peter having a sensitive dip switch certainly adds excitement to night driving.Hope you can fix yours. I'm scared that if I try to sort mine out it will only make matters worse.

[Dilambdaman]

Hi Mike,

I have a feeling that Omicron offer a reconditioning service for these switches. Might be worth a call to them.

http://www.omicron.uk.com/

Robin.

[peterbaker]

Turned out that all the components were ok but the end button was missing. My electrician friend cleaned everything and made up a new button using a modified soft tyre valve cover. Now works a treat.

[the.cern]

Turned out that all the components were ok but the end button was missing. My electrician friend cleaned everything and made up a new button using a modified soft tyre valve cover. Now works a treat.

Now that is a friend!!!!!

 I am so pleased to know that all is well and you have been enjoying your new acquisition ..... and thank you for sharing the journey home on the Forum.

                                   Andy

[Mike Anderson]

Thanks again for all your suggestions, regards Mike.