Electrical problem, high beam flicker
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Electrical problem, high beam flicker
I replaced both high beams because they were flickering after a couple minutes of being on. Thought the bulbs were bad but now it's still doing it.
Anyone have any ideas? Happens in both bulbs almost like a short or something. Regular low beams steady with no flickering.
Anyone have any ideas? Happens in both bulbs almost like a short or something. Regular low beams steady with no flickering.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Loose ground wire to headlamps;
Loose power wire to headlamps;
Fraying power or ground wire that is [intermittantly] making bad connection;
Defective dimmer switch;
Defective voltage regulator in the alternator.
If you see the voltmeter 'jump' at the same time as the headlights 'flicker', you could have a loose or bad wire/connector on the battery.
Loose power wire to headlamps;
Fraying power or ground wire that is [intermittantly] making bad connection;
Defective dimmer switch;
Defective voltage regulator in the alternator.
If you see the voltmeter 'jump' at the same time as the headlights 'flicker', you could have a loose or bad wire/connector on the battery.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Yeah I think I should do some testing and try and eliminate some of the suggested possible causes. High beam switch sounds like a prime candidate. Ground also but seems low beams would use same ground and they dont have a problem.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If flicker is only on hi-beams lamps, the problem is most likely wiring related (between dimmer switch and where it separates for the 2 high beam feeds), or in the hi-beam portion of the dimmer switch. Carbon deposits/corrosion on the switch contacts is a very good possibility.
I would choose to disassemble that dimmer switch and clean/repair the original switch...unless it is found to be "toast" internally.
I would choose to disassemble that dimmer switch and clean/repair the original switch...unless it is found to be "toast" internally.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
I had this issue also, and it was the headlight switch. Turn on the high beams, and after a couple of minutes, something would heat up, and the lights would go off. A second later (I guess after something cooled off) and the lights would come back on.
Last edited by Mashman; Jan 10, 2013 at 06:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Yeah that's it but the problem is I just put a new light switch in less than a year ago. Maybe it's a POS China crap or something?
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: greenville sc
Im to having the same problem with my high beams. Im changed the dimmer switch but no change. The wiring to the lights looks a mess. Im thinking about replacing the whole front wiring harness but im unsure of the difficulty .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
The circuit breaker in the headlight switch is for all the headlights. When the hi beams are on, 4 lights are illuminated, therefore more current is used so if the circuit breaker is weak, it would trip while using the high beams. That said, when it trips, all 4 beams would go out for a second or two, then come back on. A quick flicker where the lights do not go off completely before coming back on is not likely a problem with the circuit breaker in the switch. So which lights are flickering, all 4 or just the two middle ones.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
Exact same here. I did not have that issue until I replace mine with new switch. I'm wondering same thing . . . poor quality or bad batch? I bought mine from one of the supporting vendors and plan to pull it this winter and send back for them to test.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 19
From: Manhattan Beach Ca
Update: Turned out to be broken wires that attach to the plug/sensor at the mechanism unit. This means those also connect the complete circuit at least for the high beams. I thought they were just the dash light switch only for when the doors are not fully open. FYI
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Grande Prairie Alberta
Which mechanism are you talking about? i am having the same trouble with headlights going out only on high beam. they come back on but in a few seconds out again. switch to low and they stay on.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: macedon ny
what plug / sensor mechanism you talking about?
Do you remember?
I am having the same problem.
Thanks,
Joe