Dash lights not coming on with the headlights

[glenn]

Everything was working fine yesterday. Today, the dash lights don't come on with the headlights. They do come on, however, when I turn on the fog lights (My fog lights can be turned on independently from the headlights.)
Would this be a problem with the multi switch for the headlights, or a faulty relay? Or, am I missing a something really simple (like a switch).

Thanks

[FalcoColumbarius]

I had a situation like this in around '09. Jay and Christine came over to help me solve the problem. Actually they solved the problem, I provided moral support. In the end it turned out to be an old burned out cream coloured plastic connector in the battery bay. There are also three fusible links there that could be worth investigating. However, this is in an Starwagon and you're posting in L400 Tech. How different would the principle be? Have you checked "Chassis Electrical" in L400 Dedicated Category Reference Forum/L400 Shop Manual Downloads/The 1995 L400 Delica Space Gear Shoppe Manual?

Falco.

[glenn]

Thanks Falco. I hadn't perused the L400 manual yet. I haven't found anything relevant though. I'll just drive around with the fog lights on until it warms up a little and I figure it out.

[glenn]

I just realized that all the markers, and all the dash lights aren't coming on when I turn the headlights on. Everything works when I turn the fog lights on - as mentioned, they can be used without turning the headlights on.

Any ideas would be helpful.

[thedjjack]

I think likely headlight switch...

Personally I would wire in dash board switch for headlights like the one used in hot rods...like a $25.00 switch with built in dimer and circuit breaker...combi switches are weak links and not worth replacing..



http://www.ebay.com/itm/12-V-Volt-Headl ... 0761759197

[glenn]

I think you're probably right - I failed to mention how much the steering column heats up where the combi switch is. When I first drove the van, it smelled of burnt electronics and I saw a wisp of smoke come from the steering column. It never happened again but . . . I suppose these things don't self-heal.

$550 for a new OEM replacement - yikes!

Question - what do you do for High/Low beams if you use one of these switches?

[thedjjack]

You could go old school and a floor switch or leave it wired to the combi switch for high/low only....

I like the floor switch

[glenn]

I like the floor switch

Me too - I always liked the sound it makes