Headlamp switch troubles?

[nishby]

I've read a bunch of posts on this topic and have come to the (almost) conclusion that my headlamp switch is toast. I'm hoping someone can confirm that I'm on the right track before I pay big bucks for another one.

I lost my headlights, taillights, and dash lights simultaneously. The fuse is good.
High beams still work, running lights still work. But I blew the horn and high beam fuses shortly before.

I'm thinking headlamp switch, but also wondering about the relay unit. Would a defective relay cause the same issue?

Looks like I'll have to do the DRL modification to dump extra load, but I'm also wondering if my trailer wiring could be causing extra load or ground problems.

Anyone have some wisdom to share?

Thanks,
Shane.

[Firesong]

Mine did all those things and it turned out to be the
5to4 trailer wiring adapter from Canadian Tire.

Cut the adapter off, no more problems. Put on a new one.

Firesong

[nishby]

Firesong, you just saved me $175.00 and a lot of messing about. If you were 2000km closer I'd buy you a beer. It was my Crappy Tire harness as well.

Thanks,
Shane.

[Firesong]

It was a crazy guess thing for me too.
Went with an on sale princess auto adapter.

Crazy stuff.
FS

[mararmeisto]

Most of the cheaper (and inexpensive) trailer light adapters rely on the voltage from the signal line it taps into to power the adapter. While this works, it also means one of two things: it'll generally burn out faster than a powered one; if your trailer shorts out, it has the potential to fry the signal line in your vehicle as well.

The better choice is to select a powered adapter which will isolate the vehicle from the trailer, and it won't load your electrics down in the van. These type take a power feed directly from the battery and use the signal lines on the input side only as an indication to activate the appropriate signal on the output side. As we see from the many posts on headlights, DRLs, turn signals, stereos, dome lights, etc, these vans are running pretty 'hot' as it is and usually it only takes that one-more-thing to bump them over the edge.

[nishby]

Thanks Mararmeisto. Good to know as I have to redo the trailer wiring now.

Shane.