Pontiac Firebird Headlight Switch

The function of the headlight is to activate the headlights and taillights.  A headlight switch in addition allows the user to balance different light intensity conditions. The button is usually positioned on the steering stalks or even as a revolving button on a dashboard, either as a knob or as a rotating button. Headlight operation does not obscure the driver's night sight and without a headlight switch or a faulty switch, several accidents can occur.

The switch allows the driver to have complete control of a vehicle's headlights right from turning on and off to adjusting headlight intensities as well as providing for the adjustment of the lights to high beams or low beams depending on the driving conditions to ensure that the light does not blind the oncoming drivers.

A headlight turn operation varies with different configurations of the vehicles. The most frequently used form, however, is where the switch transmits a low current, a 12V signal to trigger the headlight relays that trigger the headlights. The other types provide grounding to the headlight relays or produce a 5V signal to the headlamps operating body control module.

The location of a headlight switch varies with various models of vehicles. It can be present in the dashboard as a standalone knob or turn. The switch on the steering column itself can also be integrated into the turn signal stalks.