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HIGHBEAMS on 1980 Corvette

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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 11:04 PM
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Default HIGHBEAMS on 1980 Corvette

Gents

Lowerbeams work fine...
Click to highbeams and no lights ?

Where do I start ?
Please don't tell me I need to dismantel the steering column
That is scary

Phil
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 11:10 PM
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I wish you luck.

Last edited by DEMITRISTYLES; Apr 10, 2008 at 11:15 PM. Reason: spelling mother****er
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 11:17 PM
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We just covered this with another member. Try this link and see if it helps. http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1988733
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Old Apr 10, 2008 | 11:19 PM
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Check the bulbs...or use a voltmeter to see if 12v is getting to the hi-beam connector when the switch is made. If not the bulbs and 12v is NOT getting to the connector, its a relay or the hi-beam switch, or a break in the wiring.
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Old Apr 11, 2008 | 05:57 AM
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Originally Posted by 7T1vette
Check the bulbs...or use a voltmeter to see if 12v is getting to the hi-beam connector when the switch is made. If not the bulbs and 12v is NOT getting to the connector, its a relay or the hi-beam switch, or a break in the wiring.

Mine didn't work for a while then they started working again but when they are on it shorts out my tach somehow.
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 08:40 AM
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Default Thank you gents !

Tried using the "search" tool and couldn't pinpoint the above mentioned thread !

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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 02:54 PM
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This was my post on that thread:

Bulbs.

I had the oposite problem; my lights would not come on unless I selected the high beems. That would allow the second element (high) to the low beem bulbs to come on.

It turned out that my low beems on the outside bulbs were burned out and my high beems on the 2 inside bulbs were also burned out.

I think you just need new bulbs. You can check for current at the sockets to comfirm this. The outer bulb has 3 prongs; 1 ground, 1 low and 1 high. The inside bulbs have 2 prongs; 1 ground and 1 high.

I just installed HID's today and all worjk great.
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 03:05 PM
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Default next step....

M'not a experienced owner when it comes to electrical issues.
Thank god I have a good neigbour !

Here is what we did.....

I took the headlights out.
Provided power and they are ALL working ok.

With a voltmeter and an extra piece of wire, my friend plugged the wire from the headlight plug-ins and back to the plug inside the car.(light switch taken off). His volmeter "beeped" indicating that there is POWER going round and there is no bad relays or broken wires anywhere.
My next move is to plug in a NEW light switch and cross my fingers !

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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 07:06 PM
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"Success" is in the air....
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Old Apr 12, 2008 | 07:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil7755
M'not a experienced owner when it comes to electrical issues.
Thank god I have a good neigbour !

Here is what we did.....

I took the headlights out.
Provided power and they are ALL working ok.

With a voltmeter and an extra piece of wire, my friend plugged the wire from the headlight plug-ins and back to the plug inside the car.(light switch taken off). His volmeter "beeped" indicating that there is POWER going round and there is no bad relays or broken wires anywhere.
My next move is to plug in a NEW light switch and cross my fingers !

With yor existing switch are you getting power to the low and high bulb sockets? I would check that before changing the switch.
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Old Apr 13, 2008 | 11:22 AM
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Default Lets see if I understand this....

Originally Posted by FatCat Blue 80
With yor existing switch are you getting power to the low and high bulb sockets? I would check that before changing the switch.

With the above wire test, without the headlight switch connected, I get power from the bulb sockets(low and high) up to the dash connection.
I believe that can confirm that power/wires are good all around.

Now I narrowed it down to 1)the headlight switch itself OR 2) the switch inside the column.....
At the stage that I am with the dash completely out, I think its worth spending $40 and getting a new one in there !
The one that I have in my hands right now is in poor shape. There are old signs of overheat/short

Thanks for input guys !
Will keep ya posted !

Phil
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