Help with headlamp issue

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Oct 9, 2019 | 11:26 AM

1997 C5

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From: Volo, Illinois

Help with headlamp issue

I have 97 C5 base. when I activate the head lamps both pop up but some time the Right headlamp beam will not come on. I turn the headlamp on & off few time then the beam comes back on. This has been happening s,e what consistantly. Last night I turn the headlamps on both popped up but no right beam, I turn the headlamps off few times on the 2nd time beam came on. FYI: Previous owner installed a/m hid bulbs and both fog lamps will not come on but the fog lamp switch light lights up. I don't know if fog lamp issue is tied into headlamp problem just though I mentioned this. Ive owner this car for 2 years now.

Any input is appreciated- I searched the froum but couldn't find anything with this problem.

Oct 9, 2019 | 02:14 PM

STRMLNE

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From: Arizona

Could be a number of things. Connections, grounds, headlight module perhaps. You might want to revert everything back to stock and trouble shoot from there.

Oct 9, 2019 | 03:33 PM

1997 C5

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From: Volo, Illinois

I don't have the stock parts. I purchased the car already this way.

Oct 9, 2019 | 04:19 PM

STRMLNE

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From: Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1997 C5

I don't have the stock parts. I purchased the car already this way.

you can get the stock bulbs from autozone

Oct 9, 2019 | 04:25 PM

1997 C5

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From: Volo, Illinois

Quote:

Originally Posted by STRMLNE

you can get the stock bulbs from autozone

Ok I fail to see why put the regular bulbs back in- Most likely that will not solve the issue. Besides I don't even know where to begin to diagnose this issue. I know nothing about electrical stuffs.

I was hoping other C5 owners ran into this issue and let me know what the fix was.

Oct 9, 2019 | 04:53 PM

STRMLNE

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From: Arizona

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1997 C5

My friend, you’re asking a question with a ton of moving parts ie there isn’t a quick fix. The reason why I suggested you revert everything to stock is that these cars are very sensitive to aftermarket bulbs and specifically electrical changes. Putting everything back to stock will create a Baseline. On top of that, you have a used car that is about 20 years old. Who knows what has been done electrically by previous owners. I would recommend changing the bulbs back to stock, and then checking connections and grounds. If that doesn’t fix the issue, then headlight module possibly, headlight stalk and any of the electrical between those two to the lamp itself.

Last edited by STRMLNE; Oct 9, 2019 at 04:56 PM.

Oct 10, 2019 | 12:50 AM

GCG

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From: Miami FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1997 C5

...I turn the headlamps on both popped up but no right beam, I turn the headlamps off few times on the 2nd time beam came on. FYI: Previous owner installed a/m hid bulbs...

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1997 C5

...I don't even know where to begin to diagnose this issue. I know nothing about electrical stuffs...

We can try to help you, but you will have to do some troubleshooting and you will need a multimeter.

Since both of your headlamp doors are opening and closing as they should, your headlamp module should be fine. By the same token, considering that your left low beam always turns ON, your Multi-Function Switch (MFS) should be fine as well. As you can see in the schematic below, the MFS provides a single output (tan wire) to feed both headlamps: the left one through Fuse 10 and the right one through Fuse 8.

Get a multimeter, open the hood, open the underhood fusebox and turn ON your headlights. If your right beam doesn't turn ON, check voltage on both testing points on the upper edge of Fuse 8. If both testing points have power, then you will need to check voltage at the input connector of your right HID ballast. If there is power at the ballast, but the right bulb doesn't turn ON, it could be that Ground Point G102 (on top of right frame rail, behind right headlight) needs to be cleaned.

You should check all connections/splices on your right HID installation. It might be an intermittent contact and when you action your headligh doors several times you make it work. It could also be a failing ballast or HID bulb.

Last edited by GCG; Oct 10, 2019 at 09:45 AM.

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