Strange BX electrical problem

DenisM · Aug 29, 2011

I have a BX 1500. Today when I started it up I noticed my head lights were on but the switch was in the off position. Turned the switch to on and the lights went off for a few seconds then came on. Turned the switch off; the lights went off for a few seconds then came back on. Any ideas what's going on?? They now do this all the time. Only way to shut then off is pull the fuse.

Also noticed when I use the turn signals, either side, one side flashes but the other side will stay on. Is this normal?? I really don't remember them working like that.

oldballs · Aug 29, 2011

Maybe the switch is just loose in its mounting; or maybe the whole switch is bad.....or just corroded and needs cleaned up and tightened. Sounds like Gremlins at work here......good luck.

dodge man · Aug 29, 2011

On my BX, I think thats the way the turn signals work. I also would try and clean up the headlight switch.

schrand · Aug 29, 2011

Sounds like water in the switch to me. I've had it happen several times on mine. Do a search here for possible fixes, other than keep it dry of course!

rdsaustintx · Aug 29, 2011

x2 you got water in the switches. seek and you will find lots of posts on it.

I replaced mine with boat switches. The blinkers would flash for days any time the dash got wet.

ultrarunner · Aug 29, 2011

x3... water related switch malfunctions are well documented.

Kind of surprising for equipment that may be left outdoors.

Some have up graded to after market marine grade rocker switches and others avoid getting the switches wet.

I think someone even went to the trouble of drilling little weep holes and you can always blow them out with some compressed air...

DenisM · Aug 29, 2011

I'll check the switches for water in the morning and post what I find. Tractor is stored under an open front shed. We we hit by Irene over the weekend and there was a lot of wind blown rain so the water in the switch makes sense.

DenisM · Aug 30, 2011

Took the head light switch apart and found some dirt and moisture under the contacts. Cleaned everything up and it's now working properly.
Thanks for the help.