Hi-beams work, low beams won't...

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Dec 4, 2007 | 08:27 PM

surfshark

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 559

Likes: 0

From: James Island South Carolina

Hi-beams work, low beams won't...

I was driving my 1980 C3 tonight and my lights flickered occasionally and then I lost my headlights.. When I clicked the dimmer switch to bright, they would work. When I click back to low beam, the headlights don't work. Could this be my dimmer switch?

I'm not sure if this is related, but I've been chasing a drain on the battery the last several days. I've even installed a battery disconnect to prevent the drain overnight.

Thanks for any help- with the hi-beam, low beam problem.

Dec 4, 2007 | 09:22 PM

...Roger...

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 16,528

Likes: 53

From: Dayton, Ohio

First check to see both low beams are not out.Probe the tan wires at the headlights.Then check the dimmer.Probe the tan at the dimmer.

Dec 4, 2007 | 09:51 PM

surfshark

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 559

Likes: 0

From: James Island South Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWncchs

First check to see both low beams are not out.Probe the tan wires at the headlights.Then check the dimmer.Probe the tan at the dimmer.

Yes, I'll check those wires. I see yellow, green and tan wires coming from the dimmer switch. All four headlights light up with the bright switch, but nothing on low. Thanks for the tips!

Dec 4, 2007 | 10:09 PM

0Willcox Corvette

Former Vendor

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 76,656

Likes: 1,853

From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103

St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15

Had this before!

Check the wires at the headlamp bulbs and check the dimmer switch at the switch!

The wires at the bulbs are jumpers. They light up one side and then pass to the other.

If the input wire is broken on the low beam at the left bulb, then this would explain it. You should take your multi meter to the connection at the first bulb and test it. If you have power, you have a blown bulb. If you don’t have power before it hits the bulb then you have a dimmer switch problem or a wire harness problem.

Dec 5, 2007 | 01:58 AM

enkeivette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 2,412

Likes: 3

All of my headlights turn off if I try to turn the highbeams on.

Dec 5, 2007 | 07:22 AM

...Roger...

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 16,528

Likes: 53

From: Dayton, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by torqvette

All of my headlights turn off if I try to turn the highbeams on.

Probably the dimmer switch that being the source get your test light out and start probing.......you do have a test light..dont you?

Green is high beam.

I have seen all 4 high beam filiments burnt out though.

Dec 5, 2007 | 07:33 AM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,720

Likes: 12

From: Chattanooga TN

Probably is the dimmer switch. They can be a challenge to get to on thye top of the column under the dash.

Dec 5, 2007 | 10:06 PM

surfshark

Thread Starter

Pro

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 559

Likes: 0

From: James Island South Carolina

Thanks for the help. I just got online after being at the hospital for my mother's surgery. She's doing fine.

With regard to testing tools - which one(s) would you recommend to test the wires to and from the headlights/dimmer switch? I've got a multi-meter, but I've never been able to use one.