HMMWV headlights don't turn on!

[Woodshumvee]

Brand new LEDs, switch is new. They were working fine but now I have no headlights. Markers, brake lights, directional a and black out all work. But no head lights. Do these switchs go bad often? Check all the connections and back of lights all good. Help its dark out here.

 

[KansasBobcat]

I would try another switch. Don't forget to disconnect the ground cable when doing anything on the HMMWV.

 

[MtnSnow]

If it's one of the push-button light switches they have been shown to be not as reliable as the older 3 lever version

 

[gimpyrobb]

Did you check for voltage at the leads? Did you make sure they are hooked to the right numbers? I don't think leds like reverse polarity.

 

[Woodshumvee]

Cleaned all the grounds and nothing works. It wasn't just head lights it's all lights that don't work. Switch on no power to lights. Black out side works no running or headlights

 

[MtnSnow]

With the blackout side working I would have to say the switch has failed

 

[gimpyrobb]

With the blackout side working I would have to say the switch has failed

This.

 

[DoctorCheney223]

I would agree with the others about it failing. I won't use them anymore in any of our HMMWV's.

 

[Woodshumvee]

Took the switch apart and found the running/headlight side melted the plastic housing and glazed over the copper contacts that the switch pivots over. So when I turned on my lights, the contacts where sitting on plastic and not connecting. I ground down the plastic with a dermel to expose the copper, soldered over copper to build it back up then filed it down level with the rest. Pu back together and it works great! Will be ordering another one to have on hand.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Wow, what a pos.

Thanks for the follow up though, a lot of folks fail to offer any resolve.

 

[Wile E. Coyote]

Those electronic switches are problematic. There are also some really shoddy late-contract three-lever switches out there with more plastic components than the older types which are also awful, and I've had many melt down. The light switches and turn-indicator levers are a good thing to keep in your box of running spares if you drive your machine regularly both for the purposes of troubleshooting and (inevitable) replacement.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Even with the trusted old 3 lever switches, I keep a spare with me. If it goes out you are dark!

Pretty easy for a tractor trailer to smash into you while your dark!

 

[Retiredwarhorses]

Most of what's in the market these days are Chinese knock offs...I have to really look to get an NOS switch.

 

[Wile E. Coyote]

Quick way to tell the Good from the Bad (and Ugly) is take one of the screws out holding the levers on. If it's machine-thread, chances are it's the better model; if it looks like a wood screw going into plastic - run away screaming. Very generally the Phillips screws are the 'wood screw' run-away-screaming variety, where the standard/slot type are the better ones, but I think one or two contracts used Phillips-head machine screws too just to keep you on your toes.