Headlights

[Boltrunner]

So my wonderful blue bomb has another issue that i need to address. I need a new headlight switch. I know that because i need to wiggle and turn it like im turning on a woman lol. But aside from that my headlights only work when i turn on my beams. Other than that i turn on my lights make sure my dash lights are on then fight the high beams to stay on so i have 3 headlights instead of 2 or 4 lol. I know some switches need replaced but what would be the reason the headlights only turn on with the high beam switch

 

[chengny]

So my wonderful blue bomb has another issue that i need to address. I need a new headlight switch. I know that because i need to wiggle and turn it like im turning on a woman lol. But aside from that my headlights only work when i turn on my beams. Other than that i turn on my lights make sure my dash lights are on then fight the high beams to stay on so i have 3 headlights instead of 2 or 4 lol. I know some switches need replaced but what would be the reason the headlights only turn on with the high beam switch

If you have quads, you might want to read these threads and confirm that the correct lamps are installed and properly wired:

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/no-headlights.16578/#post-319205

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/new-headlight-harness-update-help.16224/

 

[bucket]

The most likely cause would be the headlight dimmer switch, or just simply some burned out headlights.

But there could be many other reasons for the problems too. But I would start by testing the headlights first.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Heavy duty headlight harness will keep that switch from melting! It doesn’t get hot to the touch after being on for a minute like the factory way does.

Also had a noticeable light output increase.

 

[bucket]

Heavy duty headlight harness will keep that switch from melting! It doesn’t get hot to the touch after being on for a minute like the factory way does.

Also had a noticeable light output increase.

From a reliability standpoint, the aftermarket heavy duty harnesses are overrated. I've owned way more than my share of GM cars and trucks and I have yet to replace a single headlight switch. There's been dimmer switch failure and a couple headlight connectors that needed the contacts cleaned. That's it. Not a single cooked part.

 

[Boltrunner]

Which are high and which ones are low beams?

 

[PrairieDrifter]

From a reliability standpoint, the aftermarket heavy duty harnesses are overrated. I've owned way more than my share of GM cars and trucks and I have yet to replace a single headlight switch. There's been dimmer switch failure and a couple headlight connectors that needed the contacts cleaned. That's it. Not a single cooked part.

The one on my suburban fried the connector and the switch, I also have a 70 c10 that did the exact same thing. I also did a before and after and with the factory setup the switch gets seriously hot after barely a minute, after I did the harness the switch it honestly didn't get hot really at all after ten minutes, that being said I haven't driven it yet so that's not saying much but I think with that result right off the bat, that makes me feel a lot more comfortable that I wont possibly lose all my lights or something at some point.

 

[1987 GMC Jimmy]

Which are high and which ones are low beams?

Tops are low and bottoms are high.

 

[bucket]

The one on my suburban fried the connector and the switch, I also have a 70 c10 that did the exact same thing. I also did a before and after and with the factory setup the switch gets seriously hot after barely a minute, after I did the harness the switch it honestly didn't get hot really at all after ten minutes, that being said I haven't driven it yet so that's not saying much but I think with that result right off the bat, that makes me feel a lot more comfortable that I wont possibly lose all my lights or something at some point.

I did a count because I got curious. Unless I'm forgetting one or two, I've had 44 GM cars and trucks with the newest being an '00. Not a single one with a melted headlight switch or harness. I don't recall ever putting one in a customer's vehicle either.

That's not to say it doesn't happen. It's just not common at all in my experience.

Tops are low and bottoms are high.

To expand, the tops have a low and a high element. The bottoms are just a high element.

 

[Dougnsalem]

I did a count because I got curious. Unless I'm forgetting one or two, I've had 44 GM cars and trucks with the newest being an '00. Not a single one with a melted headlight switch or harness. I don't recall ever putting one in a customer's vehicle either.

That's not to say it doesn't happen. It's just not common at all in my experience

Mine melted. I had to do a quick (and nasty looking) solder job, just so I wouldn't have to worry about it.

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It's a year later, and I'm fixing it right. Putting this stuff in right now.....

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And yeah, normally I stick with real Bosch relays. I just had to try these. 60 ampers for like 15 bucks, for all of them. They even have a LED thingy to tell when the circuit is energized. We'll see how they work....

 

[Camar068]

might want to put a bead of silicon around the clear cap where it meets the base of the solenoid. Moisture may have an affect on them. The good thing about those is you can pop the cap off and clean the contacts. If it's a perfectly sealed box you should be alright.

 

[bucket]

Mine melted. I had to do a quick (and nasty looking) solder job, just so I wouldn't have to worry about it.

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It's a year later, and I'm fixing it right. Putting this stuff in right now.....

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And yeah, normally I stick with real Bosch relays. I just had to try these. 60 ampers for like 15 bucks, for all of them. They even have a LED thingy to tell when the circuit is energized. We'll see how they work....

Where did you buy that nifty setup?

 

[Dougnsalem]

Where did you buy that nifty setup?

eButt. The box and terminals were like 14 bucks. It's going in by my left headlight. Two relays for the lights, and two for the electric fans, I have yet to get. Leaves 2 free relays, and has it has fuses for all of them. Cheap China stuff, so we'll see how it works....

 

[Dougnsalem]

might want to put a bead of silicon around the clear cap where it meets the base of the solenoid. Moisture may have an affect on them. The good thing about those is you can pop the cap off and clean the contacts. If it's a perfectly sealed box you should be alright.

Yeah, the relays are "sealed". Not so good though. Lol. Inexpensive would be an understatement. The box comes with a cheap lid too.

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[chengny]

Which are high and which ones are low beams?

This is how they are designed to operate:

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Did you get a chance to look at those links above?

Make sure your lamps are A1's and they are wired right:

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