Headlight relay kit?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 570
Likes: 22
Headlight relay kit?
69 427 coupe...When I turn on high beams after 30 seconds or all 4 lights begin to flicker and will ultimately shut off. After doing a search on the forum I believe it is the circuit breaker in my headlight switch. This is a brand new switch purchased from Wilcox.
I have read a solution is to install a relay to bypass the circuit breaker in the switch. This will also allow me to install higher wattage bulbs in the future.
I found the following kit from Dapper Lighting that is recommended from others on the forum. It appears to be a pretty easy install. Does anyone have experience with this kit? It appears to connect to the existing factory plugs and does not require cutting the original harness.
https://www.dapperlighting.com/produ...-harnesses-575
I have read a solution is to install a relay to bypass the circuit breaker in the switch. This will also allow me to install higher wattage bulbs in the future.
I found the following kit from Dapper Lighting that is recommended from others on the forum. It appears to be a pretty easy install. Does anyone have experience with this kit? It appears to connect to the existing factory plugs and does not require cutting the original harness.
https://www.dapperlighting.com/produ...-harnesses-575
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I bought all the components from Daniel Stern and followed his directions if I can do it you can do it. Just upgrading the wiring with relays is going to make your stock lights brighter and then when you add better lights later they'll be able to handle it. I don't know how high quality can be for $39
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 570
Likes: 22
I bought all the components from Daniel Stern and followed his directions if I can do it you can do it. Just upgrading the wiring with relays is going to make your stock lights brighter and then when you add better lights later they'll be able to handle it. I don't know how high quality can be for $39
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
I bought all the components from Daniel Stern and followed his directions if I can do it you can do it. Just upgrading the wiring with relays is going to make your stock lights brighter and then when you add better lights later they'll be able to handle it. I don't know how high quality can be for $39
Just buying some good relays- Bosch "foglight" ones- you'll be JUST in the relays at $25. They have two outputs- work great for headlights
AND the connectors on that relay are plastic- others I have seen are porcelain /ceramic- I wouldn't run them on higher wattage lights
The other issue is- that harness wouldn't work with fiberoptic- the connectors pictured below would.
Bosch Relay 332019150
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,227
Likes: 7,825
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
I just bought a pair of Bosch 30 amp standard relays. And wired them in myself. Yes I cut into the stock harness. Right behind the left wheel well. Ran a power wire up from the starter Solenoid. Did this years ago. Super simple and very inexpensive.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I used heavier gauge wires recommended by stern and I made the harness so it plugs in. It would take a few minutes to return to stock. But I don't know why anyone would
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 696
Likes: 193
From: USA
69 427 coupe...When I turn on high beams after 30 seconds or all 4 lights begin to flicker and will ultimately shut off. After doing a search on the forum I believe it is the circuit breaker in my headlight switch. This is a brand new switch purchased from Wilcox.
I have read a solution is to install a relay to bypass the circuit breaker in the switch. This will also allow me to install higher wattage bulbs in the future.
I found the following kit from Dapper Lighting that is recommended from others on the forum. It appears to be a pretty easy install. Does anyone have experience with this kit? It appears to connect to the existing factory plugs and does not require cutting the original harness.
https://www.dapperlighting.com/produ...-harnesses-575
I have read a solution is to install a relay to bypass the circuit breaker in the switch. This will also allow me to install higher wattage bulbs in the future.
I found the following kit from Dapper Lighting that is recommended from others on the forum. It appears to be a pretty easy install. Does anyone have experience with this kit? It appears to connect to the existing factory plugs and does not require cutting the original harness.
https://www.dapperlighting.com/produ...-harnesses-575
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
You don't have to cut the factory harness-
Just buy a H4 Headlight male wire harness connector- all over eBay for a few bucks
Then just use the three wires to control the relays- one positive for low beam- one positive for high beam and a ground.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 5,775
Likes: 585
From: Texas
I used to make these harnesses for the 94-96 impala crowd. Nothing complicated about making them. Only problem was a lack of quality plugs to plug into the stock harness. I ended up redneck engineering plugs from headlight bulb bases. But the truth is, the relays work so well you will never go back to stock, so you might as well cut the stock wires.
Another option is LED's. The early bulbs were crap, but the ones you can buy now on Amazon are head and shoulders above the old halogen bulbs, and their LED's are positioned correctly so that the stock housing will project the correct light pattern.
Another option is LED's. The early bulbs were crap, but the ones you can buy now on Amazon are head and shoulders above the old halogen bulbs, and their LED's are positioned correctly so that the stock housing will project the correct light pattern.
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 166
Likes: 50
From: Atlanta, GA
Corvettehop on YouTube has an install video on wiring in modern relays. Video is easy to follow and he gives u part #s, etc. I used the video when I did my headlights which made a significant brightness difference for stock bulbs. Even if you simply switch to LEDs the power is still flowing through the headlight switch which is terrible. I had to replace my switch twice (original died, crappy repro died).
Wiring from the 60s, 70s, and 80s can be so janky!!
Wiring from the 60s, 70s, and 80s can be so janky!!
Last edited by 76_vette_girl; Aug 19, 2020 at 10:21 AM.