Dimmer Switch:

[Captain D]

Hello,

Curious about the dimmer switch, to ask please:

Coming home from an evening car show, I noticed the following sudden 'symptoms:' a small red light on the speedometer gauge came on, the dimmer switch seized up (unable to change between high/low beams), the lights flickered off/on (luckily I was at a stop sign), and we smelled an ever so slight burn scent.

Fortunately, I was only minutes away from home. But, while I'll certainly install a new dimmer switch, could that red light on the speedometer gauge be caused by something else altogether entirely? The only modification made in awhile was upgrading to two LED bulbs from 'Vintage Car LED.' I wouldn't think that they got too hot, but I'll look at anything and everything.

If it is a faulty dimmer switch, where may we get a quality unit? Granted, I know that I can go to the local parts store and *bay, but I don't mind paying extra for something made other than in Mexico and China that self-destructs every 6 months...

Thank you,

[70 sublime]

Red light you are talking about
Is it the light that comes on in the dash when you have high beams on ?

[Captain D]

Good morning,

Yes, the small red light on the speedometer gauge when the high beams were on. Thank you again for your time and info.

Best regards,

[b5blue]

Just get a foot switch from NAPA and install it before you fry something!

[Captain D]

Installed a new dimmer switch (NAPA, spent a few extra bucks on an option even though it's probably all the same). Anyhow, the good news is that the new switch can click between low and high beams now.

However, the bad news is that when I click from low beams to high beams, the small red light on the speedometer gauge still comes on. Maybe it's just too much for the system even though I've heard that LEDs have less draw, etc. So, I'm puzzled as to why the red light comes on.

The only changes were: just two LED bulbs changed out (the other two are factory). According to Vintage Car LED and a slew of other people, this wouldn't be a problem. So...back to all 4 factory bulbs, perhaps, ugh?

[LaOtto70Charger]

There should be a red light that comes on when high beams are on to notify you which setting it is on.

[70 sublime]

yes the red light is factory and comes on when on high beam

[Captain D]

Ah, fantastic to hear - I figured that's all it was, but the vibe I was getting was that, it being a 'red' light, something was wrong.

Nevertheless, the fact that the dimmer wasn't changing when clicked and the lights flickered was cause enough to swap out. Anyhow, this was a learning experience and I appreciate all the responses!

[b5blue]

 

[Nacho-RT74]

Become blue since 74