Got a '73 Alfa Spider, US spec. Have owned the beast since I drove it
brand new off the dealer's lot on 30 Jan 1974 (all comments about the stupid
things the previous owner did have to directed to the mirror!). Recently,
when I move the headlight switch lever down for high beams ALL lights go
off, including the instrument panel. On the regular (up position - dipped)
position the lights are fine. Headlights are Carello H4s (probably been
there since the early 80s). Have shot contact cleaner into the switch to
try to get things going to no avail. Switch was replaced with one off a
junked Berlina also in the early 80s. Think I tossed the original switch
then too so I don't have a carcass to experiment on. Have looked at the
switch with the thought of disassembling it but it looks daunting. Any
ideas on how to proceed or test points that I can explore with a multimeter
to troubleshoot?
It's the H4s! You didn't say you added high and low beam relays when you
added the H4s, so I assume you didn't. For the second time you have burned
up the contacts in you headlight switch. These switches were marginal for
the current draw of normal headlights; they were never designed to handle
the draw of high powered headlights.
A standard H4 bulb doesn't draw any more current than the US-spec sealed beams.
-Joe
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