Tham Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 (edited) I'm using a 1981 Corolla KE70, Malaysian "DX" model, 4K engine. I was driving around Sunday night today.. The car in front was going a bit slow, so I flashed my headlights at him to hurry up. When the lever returned to its position, the headlights went off ! Turning its switch on the lever off, then on, the headlights came back on again. Then, when flipping my turn signal lever to the right to change lanes, it happened again. Turning the on/off switch restored the headlights. I had been noticing these few months, that whenever I flipped the lever for a turn, especially to the right, the headlights would "blip" a moment when the lever returned. Stopped the car at the roadside, sprayed some Philips contact cleaner into the lever contacts on the inside. Appeared to help a bit, but the problem was still there. So I phoned my car's wireman, and he said the complete switch assembly - turn signal, headlights, flash and wiper - had to be replaced, since the contact surfaces were likely worn, or else the headlights would fail to switch on permanently one day. He said this happened more when using the lever on right turns because this is the direction used most often on the roads here - Malaysia is right-hand drive. Thus the headlight/turn signal contacts tended to wear out more on the right. He could look around for a used or Taiwanese unit for me, said it would cost at least M$100 ++. Or he could try modifying the wiring, and installing a separate switch for the headlights, leaving the lever switch for it redundant. Would cost M$ 50 +. However, I called my car's aircon man for some further info. He said save my money - the problem could just be left alone. No risk of the headlights failing to come on. Just turn the switch on/off whenever the above problem arose, and it would come on again. He said his Datsun 120Y had been having this problem for years. Any opinions ? Edited October 10, 2009 by Tham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corollaart Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 I would be replaceing the hole switch as your wire man suggested.Because one day or worse night it will fail ,not a good feeling going from head lights to pitch black . cheers rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towe001 Posted October 10, 2009 Report Share Posted October 10, 2009 ^^ ditto. Its happened to me and its not a very good feeling going from high beam, flipping down to low beam cause of an on coming car with a corner coming up - hazard lights kinda work. But jeez ;) Its like playing Russian roulette with a gun you know nothing about - could be lucky with the thing for years or it could go off the first time its used. Having a separate switch for turning the lights on/off sounds alright as long as you <1>can still use high/low the lights from the stalk. <2> don't have to take your eyes off the road to turn them on/off. Otherwise the M$100 plus will seam like cheap money well spent. See about hitting up ebay for something or better still For Sale - Car Parts in the market place section of the Club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78ke30 Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 I would be replaceing the hole switch as your wire man suggested.Because one day or worse night it will fail ,not a good feeling going from head lights to pitch black . cheers rob ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altezzaclub Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 Pull it apart yourself and see what the trouble is- It seems one of the wires breaks inside its plastic tube, a common problem on the KE70s. Maybe you can shorten it and re-solder it back on, or solder in a new section of wire. Then if you can't fix it you can decide whether to install it again or buy a new one. How about the wreckers yard if $100 is too much? I expect I'll have this problem sooner or later, my dash lights go out when I use the indicators at night, then come back on a second or two later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towe001 Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 He could look around for a used or Taiwanese unit for me, said it would cost at least M$100 ++. M$100 equals approx AUS$32.60 That'd be Malaysian Ringgit, yes ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
78ke30 Posted October 11, 2009 Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 if so that would be one dam cheap switch, wish they was that cheap here lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tham Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 (edited) Pull it apart yourself and see what the trouble is- It seems one of the wires breaks inside its plastic tube, a common problem on the KE70s. Maybe you can shorten it and re-solder it back on, or solder in a new section of wire. Then if you can't fix it you can decide whether to install it again or buy a new one. How about the wreckers yard if $100 is too much? I expect I'll have this problem sooner or later, my dash lights go out when I use the indicators at night, then come back on a second or two later. Thanks. Will see what I can do, but not good at DIY work, especially cars (most ordinary motorists over here are technically illiterate when it comes to cars, apart from replacing the air filter perhaps or topping up the battery water. Most repairs are left to the mechanics or wiremen). Otherwise I'll try to get a Taiwanese unit. I called a few shops and they don't stock it. Called a few wreckers too, no luck. Parts for a 30-year old car are fast becoming a rarity here. Will try again next week. A wrecker's part may cost maybe M$70 - 80. The problem with these Taiwanese or China parts, they're not known for reliability or durability. May last anywhere from 3 months to two or three years, depending on your luck. (One friend installed a Made-in-China carburettor in his Datsun 1200 and it gave out after ..... 3 months). At least I managed to find out its OEM part no. - 84310-12333, for right hand drive vehicles. Here's some China suppliers. http://www.mac-auto.cn/list.asp?ProdID=2719 http://www.youngbooauto.com/Switch/ColumnSwitch2.htm 84310-12300 looks similar. http://www.mac-auto.cn/list.asp?ProdID=2714 http://www.nbbona.com/product_largerimage.asp?id=5085 Edited October 22, 2009 by Tham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tham Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 M$100 equals approx AUS$32.60That'd be Malaysian Ringgit, yes ? Yes, about that. But Taiwanese/Chinese parts aren't exactly known to last. See my reply above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tham Posted October 11, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 11, 2009 ^^ ditto. Its happened to me and its not a very good feeling going from high beam, flipping down to low beam cause of an on coming car with a corner coming up - hazard lights kinda work. But jeez ;) Its like playing Russian roulette with a gun you know nothing about - could be lucky with the thing for years or it could go off the first time its used. Having a separate switch for turning the lights on/off sounds alright as long as you <1>can still use high/low the lights from the stalk. <2> don't have to take your eyes off the road to turn them on/off. Otherwise the M$100 plus will seem like cheap money well spent. See about hitting up ebay for something or better still For Sale - Car Parts in the market place section of the Club. Yes, I think he'll be leaving the high/low beam function to the lever, and add an on/off switch for the headlights and maybe parking lights as well, on the dashboard. It's a good option actually. Maybe I will get the wireman to do just that. These separate switches for the headlights/parking lights are far more reliable, really. They don't fail due to being messed around with by the countless flipping motions of the signal indicators and hi/lo beam flashers by mounting them all in one big complex unit on the steering stalks, just as is happening now. Now I know why they had a separate simple knob on the dashboard for these lights in my old 1974 Opek Kadett 1200S when I drove one way back in 1979 - 1980. And I had thought these Germans were old-fashioned then ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tham Posted October 19, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 19, 2009 (edited) Well, the wireman managed to install a separate switch for the headlights. There was a lack of space on the dashboard and the switch was somewhat long and bulky, so he mounted it on the bottom panel just to the right of the steering and below it. He used one of those antique pull-pull switches. First pull parking lights, second pull headlights, pretty long pulls, so the knob extends about 3 inches fully. I feel like I'm driving my late mum's 1950s vintage Austin of England ! http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/austina30.htm Edited October 22, 2009 by Tham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tham Posted October 22, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2009 An update on the OEM part number for the switch unit, as informed by John of the Chinese manufacturer, Youngbooauto.com. 84310-12300 - RHD 84310-12333 - LHD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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