Intermittent Random Headlight Issue

[thefladge]

I have a 1957 Bug. It's actually and old school Baja Bug.

The headlight switch and floor mounted dimmer switch were salvaged from a 1965 Bug many years ago.

Recently there has been an occasional problem with the headlights.

I turn on the headlight switch and all the running lights and license plate light come on, but the headlights stay off. The high beam indicator light comes on and stays on even when I press the floor mounted dimmer switch.

The headlights continue to stay off even when stepping on the dimmer switch.

The next day I can go out and turn on the headlight switch and everything works fine including the dimmer switch.

I can't figure out what is malfunctioning. All the wires are firmly attached to the switches and all the fuses are new.

Anyone have a suggestion?

Thanks.
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1957 Vintage Baja Bug.
2110cc engine, 40 IDF Webers on Gene Berg manifolds, Engle 110 cam, Bugpack 40×35.5 Street Pro Heads, W8CC plugs, 12.5 pound Flywheel, Kennedy 1700 pound pressure plate.

[fes]

I'm going to guess that perhaps the dimmer switch is at fault..you say the next day everything works,then after a certain amount of time the lights just stop working? If this is the case,feel the dimmer switch with your hand..is it warm? or even hot? same goes for the headlight switch itself..the headlights draw the most current so they would naturally take a dump first..
This reminds me of a '72 bus I was working on awhile back..the turn signals would work when cold,then after a few minutes would slow down and eventually stop..the relay was getting warmer and warmer..after tracing many grounds and connections, I just swapped out the relay for another for a test..bingo..signal lights working after and the relay stayed cool to the touch..go figure
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'68 Campmobile-Pedro
'15 Golf-Stella Blau
'56 Oval-The Turd (for now)

[thefladge]

Thanks. I suspect the problem is with the dimmer switch. I'll see if I can test it first. I'd like to see if I can open up the switch to see if something is going wrong inside.
_________________
1957 Vintage Baja Bug.
2110cc engine, 40 IDF Webers on Gene Berg manifolds, Engle 110 cam, Bugpack 40×35.5 Street Pro Heads, W8CC plugs, 12.5 pound Flywheel, Kennedy 1700 pound pressure plate.