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22900013A



Member Since: 23 Dec 2010
Location: Oxfordshire
Posts: 3150
United Kingdom 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Keswick Green
Headlamp switch
My headlamp switch is burning out *again*. This is the second if not third genuine one that's been fitted. It now cuts out entirely if I go over bumps, if I push and hold the switch they stay on.
Is there any aftermarket solution that doesn't fail every couple of years, as obviously headlights randomly cutting out in winter is a bit of an issue... 2011 110 USW
1973 Series III 1-Ton
1972 Series III 1-Ton Cherrypicker
1969 IIA 1-Ton
1966 IIA 88"
Post #970202 7th Nov 2022 7:13am
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blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 17526
United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
Your only long-lasting solution is to rewire the headlights so that the switch operates relays and the relays operate the lights. Your headlights will be brighter and you'll have no more switch failures.

There are off-the-shelf looms for this if you like spending money (many threads on here on these) or if hit by the cost of living you can make your own for a fraction of the cost.
Post #970203 7th Nov 2022 7:36am
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swt



Member Since: 24 Aug 2018
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 164
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
A replacement headlamp loom with relays so that the switch doesn't take the full current draw seems to be the usual solution, available from such as Landreiziger.

I've wondered about replacing things at the switch end instead, but not seen a commercial offering for that.
Post #970204 7th Nov 2022 7:36am
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Martin
Site Admin


Member Since: 02 Apr 2007
Location: Hook Norton
Posts: 6630
United Kingdom 2015 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Montalcino Red
Other option is the LR parts to add the relay to reduce the load on the main lighting switch:

https://www.defender2.net/gallery/albums/u...0relay.pdf

Or a clone of that kit.  1988 90 Td5 NAS soft top
2015 D90 XS SW
Post #970211 7th Nov 2022 8:42am
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swt



Member Since: 24 Aug 2018
Location: Cumbria
Posts: 164
United Kingdom 2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Stornoway Grey
Thank you, Martin! In years of following threads on overloaded headlamp switches (and replacing a couple), I've somehow never noticed that option, which seems so much simpler.

I suppose that it doesn't give the advantage of reducing voltage drop to the headlamps, so there's still a place in the world for new looms, for folks who not unreasonably want brighter headlamps.
Post #970212 7th Nov 2022 8:59am
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