Lighting Daemons

erock

Member
Apr 29, 2004
23
0
East Tennessee
I have a problem with my lights. When I turn on my lights, it sometimes takes quite a while before the dashboard lights come on. A nusance to be sure, but I just noticed this weekend that the rear taillights don't come on until the dash lights come on either. So until I get this figured out I have been running the rear fog lights until my dash lights come on so people can see me from behind. Hope someone has a fix.

Eric Rud
'98' Disco
 

Joey

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
976
0
Liberty Township, Ohio
Your light switch needs some TLC.... Follow the below info, or go and spend around $175 on a new light switch... I have heard you can get a used one for $25, but I figure you will be doing the below to it soon enough anyways.

Hope this helps.

Tools required
Small Philips head screwdriver
Emery cloth (sand paper)

Procedure
1. On the underside of the plastic cowling which surrounds the steering column are three screws in recessed holes, undo these screws.
2. Firmly, but cautiously pull apart the top and bottom of the cowling, It snaps together, but do not force it.
3. Turn the steering wheel to the left so that the top of the center body of the wheel is aligned vertically rather than horizontally, which it would be if the driving wheels were straight ahead. It is easier if the engine is running when doing this so that the Power Assisted Steering is working.
4. Before continuing, turn OFF the ignition and remove the key for safety.
5. Access to two small screws used to secure the switch housing to the steering column assembly is now gained. See picture. Remove these two screws.
6. There are two connecter blocks on the back of the switch, disconnect these.
7. Firmly, but again cautiously, pull the switch from the column. It has probably not been removed since vehicle assembly so will undoubtedly be stiff. This took me a little time to work out, but the switch will ONLY come out if pulled straight out through the direction of the drivers door. There are two tracks on the top and two on the bottom of the switch holding its position so it must slide in and out along these tracks.
8. Once the switch is out, remove the two screws on the back and separate the covers from the switch body, there are two, one on top of the other, both held in by the two screws. Be careful when separating the switch as there are moving parts inside which will come out and need to go back in, in the same location.
9. Clean any residue or corrosion from the contacts within the switch using the emery cloth. A light sanding is all that should be necessary, try not to touch the contacts again with dirty fingers.
10. Reassemble the two covers on the back of the switch and plug in the two connecter blocks.
11. Turn on the ignition and try to turn on the lights, if all lights work as they should turn off lights and ignition then reassemble following these instructions backwards.
 

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antichrist

Well-known member
Sep 7, 2004
8,208
0
68
Atlanta, GA
If you're connecting to a lighting daemon, then it's probably just a slow internet connection.

Sorry, couldn't resist, I'm a computer geek. :p
 

JCooper

Active member
Jul 1, 2004
31
0
Memphis, TN.
I read this board every so often just to gain some knowledge. Most of it I retain for future issues with my disco. This thread really came in handy today.
Last week my dash lights quit working. I never knew how important those little green lights really were till I lost 'em. I had to use a cigarette lighter to see how much fuel I had while driving at night... :D

Anyway, I got on the computer and started reading. Hell, I had no idea that my tail lights weren't working either! Ha

So I starting checking everything under the sun including what others said they had checked on their discos. Troubleshooting stinks but It can be kind of fun after I knew more of what to look for thanks to this forum.

It proves that Joey's post saved the day!! I didn't even have to post a question. Just a simple search to find that someone else had the problem and solution.

I took the switch out. The contacts on the switch looked fine. On the other hand the connector and especially the wire that fires up the dash lights was almost burned looking. The spade connector was really loose inside of the connector. I took the wire out of the connecting block to put a new connector on the wire then pushed it back into the block. Problem fixed.

I'm posting just to say thanks.......Great advice!