Dim Headlights on 82
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Dim Headlights on 82
The headlights on my 82 are very dim. When I drive after dark i have to use high beam just to get close to normal and high beam isn't all that bright either. Anyone know of a fix for this???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Buy new ones, halogens. 
If that doesn't work, try the headlight relay mod to get max voltage to your headlights. Do a search and you will find the very simple wiring diagram to make this set-up work. It will also save your old headlight switch in the dash from overheating and smoking, failing, etc.
If that doesn't work, try the headlight relay mod to get max voltage to your headlights. Do a search and you will find the very simple wiring diagram to make this set-up work. It will also save your old headlight switch in the dash from overheating and smoking, failing, etc.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The stock '82 lighting should not be "dim". Halogens will be brighter, but that is not a FIX for your problem. The ground wiring for the headlight system is obviously defective. It may be 'present', but the wiring and/or the connections are offering excessive resistance and reducing the voltage available to the lamps. Removal, inspection, and [probably] replacement of the grounding wire(s) is likely the only solution.
P.S. You might also feel around the area of the headlamp switch when you are running the lights. If it feels excessively warm, your switch could have similar problems. Years of use can cause burned/pitted contacts in that switch and result in added resistance, as well.
P.S. You might also feel around the area of the headlamp switch when you are running the lights. If it feels excessively warm, your switch could have similar problems. Years of use can cause burned/pitted contacts in that switch and result in added resistance, as well.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 11
From: Omaha ne
The stock '82 lighting should not be "dim". Halogens will be brighter, but that is not a FIX for your problem. The ground wiring for the headlight system is obviously defective. It may be 'present', but the wiring and/or the connections are offering excessive resistance and reducing the voltage available to the lamps. Removal, inspection, and [probably] replacement of the grounding wire(s) is likely the only solution.
P.S. You might also feel around the area of the headlamp switch when you are running the lights. If it feels excessively warm, your switch could have similar problems. Years of use can cause burned/pitted contacts in that switch and result in added resistance, as well.
P.S. You might also feel around the area of the headlamp switch when you are running the lights. If it feels excessively warm, your switch could have similar problems. Years of use can cause burned/pitted contacts in that switch and result in added resistance, as well.
ground(s), bad headlight switch, or bad dimmer.
