Aye, its just one problem after another with my car. I cannot for the life of me, figure out why my headlights don't work. The hi-beams work, the turn signals work and the yellow front lights (daytime running lights?) work. The yellow side markers don't work at all, at any time. Rear lights all work perfectly. I've traced the wires that run to the headlights, and they seem to all be there, and seem to be going to the right place. Is there something else somewhere I'm missing? Arg, I hate electrical problems.

 

Probe the socket and see if you're getting voltage to the low beams. There are 3 wires there, a ground, a low beam wire and a high beam wire. Your low beams have 2 filaments, so it takes 3 wires. The high beams only have 2 wires. If you're getting no voltage with low beam setting, check your high beam setting to see. You should be getting voltage if your high beams work. If they are, then it's a simple problem, replace your bulbs.

You didn't say if your bulbs were good or not.

 

Heh, the bulbs are fine, when I turn on the high beams, all 4 (two per side) light up. So I know they're getting power, so I'm kind of thinking that its the switch somehow.

 

I guess you didn't understand what I posted.

The low beams have 2 filaments, a low beam and a high beam. It's why you need 3 connectors. It's like 2 bulbs in one housing.

Check the voltage at the plug, if it's fine, it's your bulbs. If it's not, it could be a multitude of things including cut wires. You can't diagnose the problem without a voltmeter. Get one.

 

Nevermind, I got it. Forgot to push the axle shaft in...

 

I replied to the wrong thread. Wow. But I do have a question regarding this one...
I went out and bought a new bulb and my lights still don't work. I'm definately getting voltage to all three wires, but maybe not enough? What should I read on the wires? Thanks!

 

On the headlight problem, you should be reading battery voltage on the tan wire with the headlight switch set to low beam and battery voltage at both the tan and green wires with the switch set to high beam. If you don't have voltage to the tan wire at low beam either check the dimmer switch for proper adjustment or replace it. For the problem with the side marker lights, you didn't mention what exactly the problem was. Do they not come on, work with the turn signals or what. If they come on but don't work with the turn signals you may have a single element bulb in there instead of the proper dual element bulb. If they don't work at all then you need to check the brown wire going to pin "B1" of bulkhead connector C100 on the drivers firewall.

 

Not to hi-jack the thread or anything, but I have a bird with the same headlight problem. It just happened the other day. They worked on the way to the girlfriend's house, and then a few hours later, when I left they didn't.

My high beams work fine, but the low ones don't work at all. I haven't really checked anything yet, I'm going to do so tomorrow. I was just looking for somewhere to start (though I already know to check for proper voltage). Can't be the headlight switch because my high-beams work if I have the switch on, but don't work if I have the headlight switch off (normal). I suppose it could possibly be the high beam selector switch. Someone also mentioned to me to check the relay up near the MAF relays, but wouldn't that relay cause my high beams to also not work?

 

Duronclocker, that relay that you are mentioning is the relay for the headlight doors not the headlights themselves. BTW, the info I posted in the other thread will apply to your problem as well.

 

Ah okay, thanks for the info on the relay. *sigh* I don't want to have to take the column apart to fix that switch. I'll take a look at the situation a bit more tomorrow and see if I can come up with something.

 

I've got the week off of school, so I have more time to tackle my car's problems. So, I tested the voltage to the wires for the low beams. With the high beams engaged, they're getting nearly 11 volts, and they light up. With the lever puller only 1/2 way out, they are getting only .25 volts, and obviously not lighting. I'm pretty new to wiring problems, but wouldn't this rule out any kind of wire problems? (bad connection or cut wire) I already know the bulbs are good, as I've replaced them. Wouldn't this mean the headlight switch is bad? Any suggestions? THanks!

 

What do you mean pulled out 1/2 way?

It's most likely the switch. See if you can get to it and probe the wires coming out of it to double check everything.

 

Well, unless I'm completely wrong as to how it works, you pull it out one "step" and you get headlights, two "steps" and you get brights, correct?

 

Eh...I'm not sure we are referring to the same thing. Unless your 87 functions differently. It's been years since I sold my 87, but I don't recall it functioning differently than my 91.

The brights are controlled by the switch on the steering column...the lever you flick towards you, that is also your turn switch.

What you described sounds like the headlight switch. You pull out one click for the parking lights, and the full amount (2 clicks) for headlights. Once the headlights are enabled, the high/low beam selector on the steering column is what determines high or low beam.

So, is your high/low beam selector in "high beam" mode and you are just turning on and off your headlights?

 

Like 91Z28-350 has said, I don't think that you're on the same page about this. You pull the **** out one click and you get the parking lights, pull it out two clicks and you get the headlights. Pull back on the turn (multifunction lever) signal lever and you will get brights (high beams), pull back on it again and you will get low beams.

 

Oh my ***...I don't even think I can describe how stupid I'm feeling right now... maybe a smilie will do it... yeah...

 

My problem is a lot like Franks only when I change from high to low beam I have no low beam. When in high beam the four high beam bulbs work. I replaced the headlight switch a few months ago. Its a 92 Camaro RS with a 305 if it makes any difference. Im going to check the voltage on the tan wire in low beam as it was suggested above and see what that bring about. Any other suggestions?

 

Yes, have you checked the adjustment of the dimmer switch on the steering column under the dash?

 

No, I have not. Can you explain the process or something? Can it be done by droping the column or does it need to be removed? I tested the wires and nothing on the tan in low beam.
UPDATE: I took the switch out and checked it out and it was junk, so I got a new switch and now one less problem with my car.