Electrical gremlins - faulty headlight switch?

[Skiing]

Hi all,

Have had various electrical issues with my 88 Mk2 16v - I think it is my headlight switch which is faulty and have searched around but any help would be great.

Basically problem is this: I get sidelights when my headlight switch is on full and only full beam when I pull the stalk towards me - rocking the switch back and forth carefully will sometimes get the lights to work normally - so I think its the switch - however when I took the lower dash off, a brown wire from the switch ( I assume an earth) had melted leaving the wire exposed... So is it just the switch or something else and what else should I check when / before I replace the switch?

Also the dash bulbs don't work either (despite new bulbs) but the other fascia lights do (heater slider etc.) - would this be because of the faulty switch as well?

Finally one of my indicators (front left) is not working (despite bulb replacement) would this be affected by the switch as well or will I need to check earths / connections etc...

Thanks...

[rubjonny]

new switch first, and replace any melted wires. indicator shouldntr be effected but who knows what has also been damaged by that melted brown wire...
disconnect the dim dip resistor as this is a possible cause of the melted brown wire, its near driver side headlights looks like a packet o polos with a yellow wire out of each end. follow the wires up to 2 pin plug and disconnect.

there are several mk2 headlight switches available depending on what year your car is, so match the number of pins on the replacement switch to what you have.

Once you do get a ereplacement switch invest in a relayed lighting loom, this should help increase the liffe of the headlight switch as they can just fail with age, since all the current for the headlights passes thru it they can overheat and melt inside.

[Skiing]

Thanks v much RJ - I will have a look this weekend and have already got my eye on various switchs on ebay, so I will be counting the pins...