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Old Mar 13, 2008 | 11:09 PM
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Default High beam

When using my high beam, the low beam stays on. Is that the way it is suppost to be? Or is there something wrong with my head light?

Thanks.
Tran
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Old Mar 13, 2008 | 11:14 PM
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Normal operation of the lights. Just like all the other quad headlight systems I have ever seen.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 06:31 AM
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ayup.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 09:23 AM
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Originally Posted by ByByBMW
Normal operation of the lights. Just like all the other quad headlight systems I have ever seen.
C5's low beams went out when the high beams were on. Drove me crazy, lights weren't very good anyway, why turn some of them off...
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by BigJoe
C5's low beams went out when the high beams were on. Drove me crazy, lights weren't very good anyway, why turn some of them off...
But wasn't the C5 a dual light system instead of a 4 light system? I.E. two physical sealed beams instead of 4?
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by ByByBMW
But wasn't the C5 a dual light system instead of a 4 light system? I.E. two physical sealed beams instead of 4?
Gad, its been I long time but I think there were 4 bulbs. I remember if you held the stalk towards you all 4 would stay on but if you actually put the highs on the lows would go out.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 10:00 AM
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Originally Posted by BigJoe
Gad, its been I long time but I think there were 4 bulbs. I remember if you held the stalk towards you all 4 would stay on but if you actually put the highs on the lows would go out.
Well that could be, never had a C5. I know on one of my older cars with two sealed beams, that the low beam filament would go off when the high beam filament was lit, but it only had one bulb in the unit.
Anyway, OP, as noted you are just fine.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 10:12 AM
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Normally on a 4 headlight system, the low beam is actually a dual filament headlight. When you turn on the high-beams, the brighter filament is used in the low beam headlights in concert with the high-beam headlights. Since the C6 has HID low-beams, there is no brighter filament to activate so the HID beams stay on.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by overrev64
Normally on a 4 headlight system, the low beam is actually a dual filament headlight. When you turn on the high-beams, the brighter filament is used in the low beam headlights in concert with the high-beam headlights. Since the C6 has HID low-beams, there is no brighter filament to activate so the HID beams stay on.
Can you change out the high beam bulbs for something brighter or more white looking??
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 12:51 PM
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I've found that, high beam or low beam, the headlights don't illuminate at all toward the side; makes it pretty weird making a turn in a totally dark area, i.e., an unlit rural area.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 01:19 PM
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My speculation: GM has long (for decades) turned off low beams when highs are turned on. The C5 followed this pattern.

On the C6, the lows are HIDs -- these lights are not designed for, and don't take well to, being turned on/off frequently and/or rapidly. Much better from a HID-life stand point to leave them on when high beams are turned on. Also, because a HID's ballast draws considerably less current than a conventional bulb, there's less of a concern over potentially pulling too much current with both lights on at the same time, as opposed to GM's older 4-halogen bulb system.

Again, all just a guess, but I'd be willing to bet a brewski on it.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 02:02 PM
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Originally Posted by mneblett
My speculation: GM has long (for decades) turned off low beams when highs are turned on. The C5 followed this pattern.

On the C6, the lows are HIDs -- these lights are not designed for, and don't take well to, being turned on/off frequently and/or rapidly. Much better from a HID-life stand point to leave them on when high beams are turned on. Also, because a HID's ballast draws considerably less current than a conventional bulb, there's less of a concern over potentially pulling too much current with both lights on at the same time, as opposed to GM's older 4-halogen bulb system.

Again, all just a guess, but I'd be willing to bet a brewski on it.
My C3 has all four sealed beams on when using high beams. My C5 would turn off the lows, seperate bulbs but not sealed beams, when using the high beams. My C6 operates in a similar fashion to the C3.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 02:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Finelee
Can you change out the high beam bulbs for something brighter or more white looking??
Yes. It is a standard H9 bulb. There are plenty of aftermarket options.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Wezel
I've found that, high beam or low beam, the headlights don't illuminate at all toward the side; makes it pretty weird making a turn in a totally dark area, i.e., an unlit rural area.
Turn on your fog lamps but they do go out when the high beams are on.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 03:00 PM
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Originally Posted by mneblett
My speculation: GM has long (for decades) turned off low beams when highs are turned on. The C5 followed this pattern.

On the C6, the lows are HIDs -- these lights are not designed for, and don't take well to, being turned on/off frequently and/or rapidly. Much better from a HID-life stand point to leave them on when high beams are turned on. Also, because a HID's ballast draws considerably less current than a conventional bulb, there's less of a concern over potentially pulling too much current with both lights on at the same time, as opposed to GM's older 4-halogen bulb system.

Again, all just a guess, but I'd be willing to bet a brewski on it.

Now, THAT sounds logical...........good response!!
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Old Mar 15, 2008 | 12:27 AM
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Thanks everyone .

Tran
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Old Mar 15, 2008 | 12:59 AM
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10/4 yes
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Old Mar 15, 2008 | 01:50 AM
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My learning of the day.
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