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Headlights work, high beams do not

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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 02:43 PM
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Default Headlights work, high beams do not

I got a 79 and I was wondering what could be the problem with the high beams. Low beams work fine. I know its not the turn signal switch b/c i just replaced it. I was wondering if there is a fuse or relay dedicated to just the high beams or even the headlights. Any advice will help.

Thanks, Charlie
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 03:36 PM
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Low and high beams have the same power source. Does your high beam indicator on the dash come on?
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 04:51 PM
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More than likely the hi-low switch is bad. It is bolted to the side of the steering column. Not easy to get to, but not impossible.
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Old Aug 19, 2010 | 09:01 PM
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Have you done a continuity check on the bulb filiments to know that the bulbs are good? As mentioned above, if hi-beam indicator light is ON, then power is getting to the bulbs. In that case, it could be bad bulbs, bad ground for hi-beam lamps, or corroded sockets.

Last edited by 7T1vette; Aug 19, 2010 at 09:03 PM.
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Old Aug 24, 2010 | 01:18 PM
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well i replaced the switch, but im still getting the same result. Just out of curiousity, when i switch between the low beams and the high beams, the low beams are supposed to stay on along with the high beams. What does it mean when i switch to high beams and all the headlights go out? All the bulbs are good. And no, the high beam indicator doesn't come on anymore, it used to though.
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Old Aug 24, 2010 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by corvettedude79
And no, the high beam indicator doesn't come on anymore, it used to though.
How does your printed circuit look behind the speedo? I just had a problem with my highbeams going crazy and it turned out to be the PC. If it is shorting to ground between the switch and the high beam indicator lamp, then (it seems to me) no indicator- no high beams.

Originally Posted by corvettedude79
What does it mean when i switch to high beams and all the headlights go out?
If the switch is good, then it would seem to indicate the current is finding ground when the switch is in the high beam position. It would normally find it thru the lights, lighting them up, unless it has a path of less resistence. Which seems to be the case by your description.

Good luck.

Last edited by Vetteran'81; Aug 24, 2010 at 02:28 PM.
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Old Aug 24, 2010 | 03:19 PM
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Originally Posted by corvettedude79
well i replaced the switch, but im still getting the same result. Just out of curiousity, when i switch between the low beams and the high beams, the low beams are supposed to stay on along with the high beams. What does it mean when i switch to high beams and all the headlights go out? All the bulbs are good. And no, the high beam indicator doesn't come on anymore, it used to though.
Look at the diagram above. The green wire coming from the dimmer switch must be hot to light up the dash high beam indicator and also light up the headlights.
I'm sure you know what to do next , check the green at the dimmer switch for power.
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