Can't switch off brights - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

JulieGTA · 08-23-2009, 01:58 AM

So I started the car tonight, and backed out of a driveway and the "Inf Rest." (vats?) light stayed on!
I looked around and hey, the brights are on, too!

They won't click off no matter how I pull or push.
Of course, because they also don't turn ON. They quit working this year. I tried and tried, but eventually gave up.

Everything else is OK: blinkers, wipers, and I don't have special C4 bulbs or anything. The "Inf Rest" light won't go away.

Could it be the igntion going bad? It has been lazy to start lately... Maybe it blew a fuse when I started it?

If some one can point out a wire, or which fuse, or a secret trick to turn them off, that would be helpful!

resinlake · 08-23-2009, 08:05 AM

harness could be hanging up on the switch under the dash that the rod pushs against, it was on mine and had to pull it back a bit. Crawl under your dash and on the driver side, left side of the column you should see the white piece of plastic hardware the that the rod goes in to.
While under there, work the lever a couple times and you should see a rod moving. Do you hear a click at all? Might not be your problem, could be an issues someone else talked about up in the column its self but hey, worth a try. Good luck.

BigBadLou · 08-23-2009, 11:49 AM

Try this quick test: adjust your steering colum tilt all the way up or down. Does the hi/lo beam switch work in the extreme positions?
Since you say that you don't hear any clicking when pulling on the turn signal lever, it's likely that the hi/lo beam switch is out of adjustment.
There's a simple procedure to rectify that: http://www.austinthirdgen.org/index.php?pid=16

Hope this helps.
Lou

tony_cogliandro · 08-23-2009, 12:07 PM

i found that the brace that covers the place where the long handle connects into the steering column was loose and the movement on the lights rod was not actually changing it.

JulieGTA · 08-23-2009, 06:32 PM

I adjusted the steering column up and down and finally it clicked.
It's not fixed but at least the hi beams are off.

camaronewbie · 08-23-2009, 10:32 PM

So, your switch under the column needs adjusted - get a small flashlight, a 7mm wrench/socket, take a chill pill, and crawl under there, head up, feet on headrest with seat all the way down. It's a major pain, but it's the only way - you'll see the switch and the rod moving in/out of it when you move the lever. Loosen screw and move switch slightly up the column, retighten, and try it again.

BTW - INFL REST has nothing to do with VATS - it's telling you there's something wrong with your airbag system (INFL-atable REST-raint).

JulieGTA · 08-28-2009, 03:59 AM

Ok, I mentioned that light came on, because I heard when the Vats is bad, sign that something is wrong in the ignition switch. I guess I got them confused.

It went away, maybe it supposed to go on when the brights are on?

The headlights also quit working the next day, but I wiggled the wires around and everything is OK now. I still swear there must be a short somewhere

Thanks for the details, I will try the fix when the weather is cooler and I feel like doing some 3rd gen yoga!

DeathMetalTony · 08-28-2009, 08:44 AM

Just like my Z28 and my RS in order for me to use my high beams I need to tilt the steering wheel kinda downwards to the left then flick the switch to turn them on I had friends that will tell me that theres dont work and this and that and once I did the tilt voila! It worked, im trying to read what you guys are recommending about this fix is there any where else i could have a better lead on how to fix it?

Thanks. Tony.