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Anyone have ideas on why my lights go out after being on for 30 min or so? Changed out the light switch thinking it was cutting out after getting hot... Not the fix... Still going out. They wil come back on after being off for a few min. Thanks in advance as always!
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Willwood Engineering
Wilwood Engineering designs and manufactures high-performance disc brake systems.
Wilwood Engineering, Inc. - 4700 Calle Bolero - Camarillo, CA 93012 - (805) 388-1188
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ChatMaster - 7,000
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Sounds like you have an automatic reset circuit breaker that is getting weak or being overloaded.
Steve D
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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OP
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OK.... Would this be located in the fuse block?
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Check your owners manual or a service manual.
Steve D
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The circuit breaker should be in the light switch. There is nothing wrong with it. It is doing its job as you have a short in the lighting department.
Gene Schneider
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Since it takes about 30 min. for the lights to go off I would look for a poor connection that is causeing high resistance as it gets hot. It will be starting to melt the connector. If it is worse on low beam than on high it may be the dimmer switch.
Dens Chevys 1927 Speedster 1928 coupe 1941street rod 1947Fleetline 4 door 1949 1/2 ton Pickup (sold) 1954 210 4 door 1972 Monte Carlo 2003 Corvette convt..
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I would check the dimmer switch first. They are in a location where dirt, dust and water can get. Therefore are known to have bad contacts much faster than other components.
Check the electrical path when hot with an ohm meter. That should pinpoint the problem area. It can be done cold but better hot.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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I would assume the dimmer switch on a 1985 Camaro was a multi-function switch combined with the directional switch - on the steering column.
This problem will be very difficult to pin-point as it could be any place in the wireing, light sockets, etc.
Last edited by Chev Nut; 07/31/15 11:27 AM.
Gene Schneider
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The 85 will have the dimmer switch that is mounted next to the ingition switch and is activated by a rod. There will be three wires on it. Have the headlights been changed to ones that take more amps?
Dens Chevys 1927 Speedster 1928 coupe 1941street rod 1947Fleetline 4 door 1949 1/2 ton Pickup (sold) 1954 210 4 door 1972 Monte Carlo 2003 Corvette convt..
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Car has not had after market headlights installed. Sometimes the lights flash several times before they go out.
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Does it make any difference if they are on high or low beam? When you changed the headlight switch did any of the wire connections look like they have been hot? I would next look at the connection on the dimmer switch to see if they look like they have been hot, also check the connections at the headlights.
Dens Chevys 1927 Speedster 1928 coupe 1941street rod 1947Fleetline 4 door 1949 1/2 ton Pickup (sold) 1954 210 4 door 1972 Monte Carlo 2003 Corvette convt..
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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No difference high or low beams. Gonna start the connector by connector search tomorrow. None of the connectors looked hot that I have seen. Thought the headlight switch would have been the solution.... Thanks for all the tips guys. Going to the garage!
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Could be in the tail lights, dash lights, marker lights, license light, etc.
Gene Schneider
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The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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Only the head lights are are on the circuit breaker, tail Pam and marker lifts will have a fuse.
Dens Chevys 1927 Speedster 1928 coupe 1941street rod 1947Fleetline 4 door 1949 1/2 ton Pickup (sold) 1954 210 4 door 1972 Monte Carlo 2003 Corvette convt..
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Think I found the problem! Started the car up today lights started to flash,turned on the high beams then dimmed them. Low beam went out on one side... Wiggled the connector on the back of the light and it came back on. Lights started to flash again... Replaced the low beam that was out with a new sealed beam and no problems since? Any thoughts? I have been scratching my head!
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Did the connector look like it had been hot? I have seen a double filiment bulb burn out and the broken foment drop down to the other one and cause some weird problems. Not sure that would have been your problem though.
Dens Chevys 1927 Speedster 1928 coupe 1941street rod 1947Fleetline 4 door 1949 1/2 ton Pickup (sold) 1954 210 4 door 1972 Monte Carlo 2003 Corvette convt..
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Guess the gremlin was just sleeping! Went to car show,20 miles away ,3 miles from home flash flash again. Does anyone know where the circuit breaker is located on the Camaro?
Last edited by TIFFIN28; 08/27/15 09:33 PM.
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Tech Advisor ChatMaster - 25,000
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The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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yeah I have looked at the Chilton manual and I can't find where it's located. Need someone to say it is under dash to the right of steering column......or under hood on the left side of....? But thanks we will continue to look for the problem. No burnt wires or anything everything looks good.
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A Chevrolet repair manual should have the info. You can find one online for around $50.00. Also there are several vendors who specialize in Camaro and may have the information. If you are planning to keep the car long term a genuine or reprint Chevrolet shop manual would be a good investment.
Steve D
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yeah I have looked at the Chilton manual and I can't find where it's located For detailed informaiton you need a 1985 Chevrolet Camaro Shop Manual not a Chilton manual.   
The Mangy Old Mutt
"If It's Not Junk.....It's Not Treasure!"
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The circut breaker is part of the headlight switch.
Dens Chevys 1927 Speedster 1928 coupe 1941street rod 1947Fleetline 4 door 1949 1/2 ton Pickup (sold) 1954 210 4 door 1972 Monte Carlo 2003 Corvette convt..
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Thanks for your help with my problems. I have changed the headlight switch already. Evidently if the circuit breaker is in there I still have some searching to do. Thanks for your support. John
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In plain English, you still have a short. Good Luck.
Gene Schneider
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