Headlights wont turn on
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City TX
Headlights wont turn on
I am having a problem with my head lights not turning on. I noticed tonight that one of my fog lights was not on, decided to wait till morning to troubleshoot but it started to progressively bug me. When I got home I turned off the headlight , turned them back on, lights pop up but dont turn on at all. Try it a few more times then the right side head light comes on, flick them off and on again, no lights, flick off and on again, then just the left side turns on. Neither of them will come on now, thank goodness I waited till I got home to shut them off. Whats the deal? Checked one of the lobeam fuses and it is fine. Hi beams work fine. I have HID's and checked the fuses for those, they seemed fine, also could hear the relay click for them. Any one had this sort of trouble?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
I can't speak for issues with the HID type lights, but usually the headlamp switch is the main failure for stock headlamps. They can be repaired if you wish to or you can just replace it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City TX
I believe the headlamp switch is functioning properly, I can hear the relay that powers the HID ballast click. In any case, is there a way to test the functionality of the headlamp switch?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 24,310
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Co
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
"I voluntarily took 60 days off from OT"
Had this occur with both my C5s at about 40K miles...was the multi-function switch (headlight, turn signal, cruise control stalk switch) on the steering column....The switch is about $300 from GM...takes less than an hour to install with the proper tools and if you know what youre doing....Hafta take it to the dealer????..Plan on spending $600 parts and labor 
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Not sure how you can test it with HID's other than verifying that the power relays you are referring too are actually working. Then you would need to track down the power source that feeds the relays. Again, no clue on the HID's. Oh yes, the switch is $138 if you know where to find it. Exact match at least for a '99.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 24,310
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Co
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
"I voluntarily took 60 days off from OT"
Not sure how you can test it with HID's other than verifying that the power relays you are referring too are actually working. Then you would need to track down the power source that feeds the relays. Again, no clue on the HID's. Oh yes, the switch is $138 if you know where to find it. Exact match at least for a '99.
.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Missouri City TX
Is there a way I can test to make sure it is the switch? I can hear the relay click when I turn the lights to the on position. They were working fine, turned them off and then on again, no lights, off and on again, one light worked, off and on again, the first light stopped working and 2nd one started working, off and on again, no more lights. I will just go through the wiring tomorrow except for the stalk unless I know how to test it.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 24,310
Likes: 0
From: Canon City Co
St. Jude Donor '11,'13
"I voluntarily took 60 days off from OT"
Is there a way I can test to make sure it is the switch? I can hear the relay click when I turn the lights to the on position. They were working fine, turned them off and then on again, no lights, off and on again, one light worked, off and on again, the first light stopped working and 2nd one started working, off and on again, no more lights. I will just go through the wiring tomorrow except for the stalk unless I know how to test it.
If youre mechanically inclined I can talk you thru changing the switch...It's pretty simple if you have a set of torq bits and a driver for them...
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Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Is there a way I can test to make sure it is the switch? I can hear the relay click when I turn the lights to the on position. They were working fine, turned them off and then on again, no lights, off and on again, one light worked, off and on again, the first light stopped working and 2nd one started working, off and on again, no more lights. I will just go through the wiring tomorrow except for the stalk unless I know how to test it.
Use a multimeter and see if you're getting 12V to the incoming ballast line (red).
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,962
Likes: 29
From: Van Buren Arkansas
Wounded Warrior Escort '11
Actually the original switch in there is an AC Delco one. This link is for where I bought one for my '99. It was an exact match for the original...I'll PM it to you
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
I am having a problem with my head lights not turning on. I noticed tonight that one of my fog lights was not on, decided to wait till morning to troubleshoot but it started to progressively bug me. When I got home I turned off the headlight , turned them back on, lights pop up but dont turn on at all. Try it a few more times then the right side head light comes on, flick them off and on again, no lights, flick off and on again, then just the left side turns on. Neither of them will come on now, thank goodness I waited till I got home to shut them off. Whats the deal? Checked one of the lobeam fuses and it is fine. Hi beams work fine. I have HID's and checked the fuses for those, they seemed fine, also could hear the relay click for them. Any one had this sort of trouble?
You may also want to make sure your head lamps are clean.
