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Tinstar's avatar
Tinstar
Explorer
Mar 16, 2014

Weird headlight problem (Resolved)

I have an unusual problem with my high beam headlights flashing. My equipment is 1994 Allegro Bus, diesel pusher. I have four headlights and when driving at night my last couple of trips, every now and then when driving with my brights, they go off for a few seconds and then come on for a few seconds. It's not like a loose wire because it is so consistent on the timing and rough or smooth road makes no difference. The dash lights, clearance and tail lights also go off at same time as the headlights and they come back on with the brights. With just the dim lights, there is never a problem.

I got a little excited the first time it happened. I was out in the country on the highway in a driving rain, no ambient light anywhere, driving about 60 MPH and suddenly NO LIGHTS. After a couple of seconds and braking pretty hard, I hit the dimmer switch and all was well. I originally thought the rain caused the problem but it still happens every now and then and it's been months since the first time it happened.

Now I'm thinking the headlight switch itself may be the culprit. I guess since all lights that go off work from the headlight switch itself, it's the logical common part in which to look. I thought I'd ask if anyone has ever encountered a similar problem before replacing parts that may not resolve the problem. OH, I haven't found a headlight relay, but if that were the problem, I wouldn't think the tail lights and clearance lights would go off.

HELP!!! Anyone????
  • The headlights are not upgraded and are just stock. As far as the chassis goes, it is a Freightliner/Oshkosh.

    I looked at the headlight switch and it is quite large, about a 3 inch square box with a half dozen or so wires connected. I wonder where I might find one. The headlights are Ford and several dash controls are also.
  • Certainly sounds like the headlight circuit breaker, which is likely an integral part of the headlight switch. Do you have upgraded headlights that might be drawing excessive current? Otherwise, its just a bad breaker.
  • What chassis do you have ? I had same problem on a freight liner it was a headlight controle modual
  • Had that to happen on my older ford van. It was the light switch. Changed it out and never a problem again, (did trade of the van for a new ford.)
  • I had a simular problem (no fun when the lights go out and its dark) I replaced the light switch and it was fine for awhile then it happened once more. Then I replaced the switch and rewired ALL the lights through relays. That was several years ago and it hasn't happened since. BUT--I tow a trailer and maybe the extra lights contributed to the problem.
  • Usually, but not always,the circuit breaker for the headlights is in the headlight switch.
  • Some rigs have a relay that operates the lights. The switch acts as a control circuit to the relays.
  • sch911 wrote:
    It sounds like a self resetting circuit breaker tripping and resetting....


    I haven't thought of that and I know I have several of them. Some in one of the bays and others up front in the genset area (hood). It's a start........
  • It sounds like a self resetting circuit breaker tripping and resetting....