This video was extremely helpful! I bought a retired squad car and the spotlight wasnt in working order; Thanks to this video, my spotlight works great! Thanks!
I bought a replacement handle. Doesn't seem to have that spring tension to make contact. Where is this spring in replacement (used) handle? I can power the light shaft with a wire and no handle but I'm definitely not getting contact from handle to shaft. No spring tension
Also, would grease help in the handle for connectivity? My spotlight is flickering when it rotates. Not sure what the problem is but your video is the only one that is on youtube. So, after your answer, I will diagnose mine and let you know what I find
Adding more grease will not fix such a problem, you need to find out what is loose, start by making sure the handle is pressed in all the way and you can feel the spring when you push it on to the shaft.
What happens when the light it’s self won’t turn but very little the bolt that the light sits down on is rusted could the inside of that bolt be rusted to the point of repair or something
Loosen that handle bolt halfway and hit it with a rubber mallet. Easy. Those handle nuts are manufactured like that purposefully: the older iteration that was solid brass caused issues. Installers would overtighten them and crush the inner shaft, damaging the light in the process. Imagine how much damage one overzealous PD installer could do in a day.
2010 Crown Vic How Can i find the Fuse for the spotlight? It short out by accident as i was working with the Swicth while the whole thing was conected...
Trying to bring one back that is on a sheriff’s van I drive when I started it was totally froze wouldn’t turn at all a half a can of pb blaster and about 6 hours of workin with it it now turns 😐
The toggle switch Is not seated properly. You have to push in the spring loaded pin on the end of the switch to get it back in to position. You have to wiggle it around..just takes some time.
There is only one "wire". The entire metal outer shaft is grouded to the vehicle so that is the negative side. +12V power is sent via the wire you connect from the handle inside the vehicle. It makes it's way through an insulated inner shaft, and to that center pin inside the lamp assembly. The negative ground side is the bolt that holds the lamp housing to thr head-post.
@@QuaabQueb my runs runs the 6-8v bulb and also the handle ain't springy so would the issue be the switch or the shaft becuase power goes all the way to the switch and nothin happens, any suggestions on fixes for that?
@@Lilah.0 yes a bad contact in the handle would be the problem. 6 volts is only for really OLD cars. Make sure you vehicle does indeed run on 6V. If not then you will blow the lamp every time with 12Volts.
@@QuaabQueb thanks ill be either replacing the switch or upgrading to the 12v set up but had a stepdown converter so that it dont blow the bulb, thank you very much for your time
@@Lilah.0 No problem good luck! FYI You can probably just get a new 12V bulb. They are relatively inexpensive. Just make sure you get the right size, I believe the S5 spot lights use the smaller PAR36 size.
Glad it helped. What differences do you notice in the new ones? The head post and shaft assembly are pretty much the same, I find the newer versions better made. You can still get the full metal S6 style light head if you really wanted to, and if you are running HID you need the S6 head otherwise the heat would bee too much for the plastic ones.
I took the switch off the handle to lube the gears and now it won't turn on. I cleaned areas of contact off, have any idea of what I've done to mess it up?
J Franklin I’ve run into that problem a week ago only I was trying to figure out why it’s loose in a couple ways it’s made to move, figured out half the looseness but curiosity killed the cat, and now mine won’t turn back on either. Were you able to figure out what caused yours to quit working?
After further troubleshooting, the fuse for it was indeed blown, just enough for it to not work but somehow still get a current flowing through it. (My dads digital multimeter indicated little to no voltage that the switch was getting but the fuse had current through it) When I initially checked the fuse it was overcast and I couldn’t tell if it was blown but seemed to be okay. But how I found out it was in fact blown was by swapping the fuse out for one of the other green 20 amp fuses within the fuse box and it worked as expected. Double check the fuse for it in the top of the fuse box. (The green fuse closest to the engine if it’s for a cvpi) Shine a light through the fuse to be sure. Given the fact that mine was working as expected until I took the switch cover off, I highly suspect that it had something to do with blowing the fuse. The lesson learned here is if you’re going to try and do any maintenance on your spot light, even replacing or upgrading the bulb, take the fuse out FIRST and don’t plug it back in till you’ve put everything back together.
Yes you kind of have to wiggle it on/off a bit but it should go on. Note that the spring loaded top part can wear out over time, the crimped part that holds the spring loaded pin gets loose and you carefully have to re-crimp it by pinching it with a pair of pliers carefully
fireicetech I find that positioning the switch a certain way while putting the opposite end of the switch cover on first helps to get it to sit back on the way it’s supposed to. But the key is positioning the switch just right while sliding the cover back on till it kinda clicks into place. I have the problem with it not wanting to go back on the little plate it makes contact with too but you just gotta keep playing with it some till it gives you little resistance but not forcing it and then just holding it in place you can move the switch up and down as expected then put the screws back in. Although mine doesn’t work after taking it off now so that’ll be something else to do in addition to fixing abnormal movement.
something is shorting out. 12V power is touching something metal and grounding to the frame. Could be a broken connection in the shaft. They sometimes break at the tip where the handle slides on.
This video was extremely helpful! I bought a retired squad car and the spotlight wasnt in working order; Thanks to this video, my spotlight works great! Thanks!
I’m in the same boat with my charger could you help me
I buy cop cars at auction and find this issue of flickering once in a while. I will use your FINE video to correct these. THANK YOU!
Got the Vic with two spotlights. Driver side is intermittent, passenger side is dead. Work commences!
Good luck!
I bought a replacement handle. Doesn't seem to have that spring tension to make contact. Where is this spring in replacement (used) handle? I can power the light shaft with a wire and no handle but I'm definitely not getting contact from handle to shaft. No spring tension
I addded the second spot ligh to the passenger and they spot working maybe a fuse blown??
@@bennyylopezz yes
Also, would grease help in the handle for connectivity? My spotlight is flickering when it rotates. Not sure what the problem is but your video is the only one that is on youtube. So, after your answer, I will diagnose mine and let you know what I find
Adding more grease will not fix such a problem, you need to find out what is loose, start by making sure the handle is pressed in all the way and you can feel the spring when you push it on to the shaft.
What happens when the light it’s self won’t turn but very little the bolt that the light sits down on is rusted could the inside of that bolt be rusted to the point of repair or something
Good info very informative thanks
Loosen that handle bolt halfway and hit it with a rubber mallet. Easy.
Those handle nuts are manufactured like that purposefully: the older iteration that was solid brass caused issues. Installers would overtighten them and crush the inner shaft, damaging the light in the process. Imagine how much damage one overzealous PD installer could do in a day.
@@scottc3470 interesting tip
2010 Crown Vic How Can i find the Fuse for the spotlight?
It short out by accident as i was working with the Swicth while the whole thing was conected...
Search for the fuse box diagram online or in the manual. There should be a dedicated circuit for it.
Trying to bring one back that is on a sheriff’s van I drive when I started it was totally froze wouldn’t turn at all a half a can of pb blaster and about 6 hours of workin with it it now turns 😐
The rear cap doesn’t want to go on with the switch moving. Any fix ideas?
The toggle switch Is not seated properly. You have to push in the spring loaded pin on the end of the switch to get it back in to position. You have to wiggle it around..just takes some time.
Chargèro thank you!
Are all the spotlights post to have 2 wires going to bulb I ask because I own a s5 and it only has one wire to the blub the live wire
There is only one "wire". The entire metal outer shaft is grouded to the vehicle so that is the negative side. +12V power is sent via the wire you connect from the handle inside the vehicle. It makes it's way through an insulated inner shaft, and to that center pin inside the lamp assembly. The negative ground side is the bolt that holds the lamp housing to thr head-post.
@@QuaabQueb my runs runs the 6-8v bulb and also the handle ain't springy so would the issue be the switch or the shaft becuase power goes all the way to the switch and nothin happens, any suggestions on fixes for that?
@@Lilah.0 yes a bad contact in the handle would be the problem. 6 volts is only for really OLD cars. Make sure you vehicle does indeed run on 6V. If not then you will blow the lamp every time with 12Volts.
@@QuaabQueb thanks ill be either replacing the switch or upgrading to the 12v set up but had a stepdown converter so that it dont blow the bulb, thank you very much for your time
@@Lilah.0 No problem good luck! FYI You can probably just get a new 12V bulb. They are relatively inexpensive. Just make sure you get the right size, I believe the S5 spot lights use the smaller PAR36 size.
Mine turns off only in spots that point forward or across hood
How do you fix the pin not making contact with the spring?
Buy a new pin, and then clean all contact surfaces
If you put grease in the end cap under the spotlight, will that help with connectivity?
If it is conductive grease then yes, conductive grease is specially made for electrical connections. Though normal grease can be used.
Very informative, Great job. The old unity's are good stuff. Iv'e rebuilt a few. Looks like the new ones are built like shit.
Glad it helped. What differences do you notice in the new ones? The head post and shaft assembly are pretty much the same, I find the newer versions better made. You can still get the full metal S6 style light head if you really wanted to, and if you are running HID you need the S6 head otherwise the heat would bee too much for the plastic ones.
Fit and finish are not as Good. Old one's had more brass and less pot metal.
Thanks you very much for this tutorial!!!! 👍👍👍👍
I took the switch off the handle to lube the gears and now it won't turn on. I cleaned areas of contact off, have any idea of what I've done to mess it up?
No idea, bad connection somewhere
J Franklin I’ve run into that problem a week ago only I was trying to figure out why it’s loose in a couple ways it’s made to move, figured out half the looseness but curiosity killed the cat, and now mine won’t turn back on either. Were you able to figure out what caused yours to quit working?
After further troubleshooting, the fuse for it was indeed blown, just enough for it to not work but somehow still get a current flowing through it. (My dads digital multimeter indicated little to no voltage that the switch was getting but the fuse had current through it) When I initially checked the fuse it was overcast and I couldn’t tell if it was blown but seemed to be okay. But how I found out it was in fact blown was by swapping the fuse out for one of the other green 20 amp fuses within the fuse box and it worked as expected. Double check the fuse for it in the top of the fuse box. (The green fuse closest to the engine if it’s for a cvpi) Shine a light through the fuse to be sure. Given the fact that mine was working as expected until I took the switch cover off, I highly suspect that it had something to do with blowing the fuse. The lesson learned here is if you’re going to try and do any maintenance on your spot light, even replacing or upgrading the bulb, take the fuse out FIRST and don’t plug it back in till you’ve put everything back together.
Is there a trick to putting the switch back on? It appears to be spring loaded and doesn't want to pop onto the metal plate it rides on
Yes you kind of have to wiggle it on/off a bit but it should go on.
Note that the spring loaded top part can wear out over time, the crimped part that holds the spring loaded pin gets loose and you carefully have to re-crimp it by pinching it with a pair of pliers carefully
fireicetech I find that positioning the switch a certain way while putting the opposite end of the switch cover on first helps to get it to sit back on the way it’s supposed to. But the key is positioning the switch just right while sliding the cover back on till it kinda clicks into place. I have the problem with it not wanting to go back on the little plate it makes contact with too but you just gotta keep playing with it some till it gives you little resistance but not forcing it and then just holding it in place you can move the switch up and down as expected then put the screws back in. Although mine doesn’t work after taking it off now so that’ll be something else to do in addition to fixing abnormal movement.
My spotlight works but there is on spot that the light shuts off. Any ideas?
as you turn the handle?
Bad contact somewhere, probably a bit of corrosion.
Very nice video!
Thanks for the help
Thanks the video helped
Mine keeps popping the fuze it worked for a split second once my cousin tried rotating it,it popped it
something is shorting out. 12V power is touching something metal and grounding to the frame. Could be a broken connection in the shaft. They sometimes break at the tip where the handle slides on.
@@QuaabQueb My spotlight does the same thing too. Rotate the spotlight with the handle and the fuse blows.
@@georgepetrillo7316 the power wire is shorting to the metal of the light somewhere
The only problem is a new spot light is going to cost you like $400.
they are like 120 on amazon
Got it try to avoid shit Johnny Depp should have done that lmao 🤣😂