Hello, I’m trying to figure out why my high beams won’t turn on. The actuator under the dash clicks when I try to turn the high beams off. I see a lot of threads but all are saying that theirs doesn’t click or their bulbs might be out. Mine clicks, but the high beams don’t turn on.

I have a 1990 firebird and when I try to turn in the high beams, it clicks, but the blue Highbeam indicator on the dash doesn’t turn on, and my high beams don’t turn on, and my low beams turn off. Does anyone know how to help? Is my actuator bad? I have no idea what it could be. It just randomly stopped working. Any help would be much appreciated. (Ps, I have aftermarket LED headlights so the bulbs are not out, and I know the lights aren’t a problem and they work fine since Intslalled them almost 2 years ago)

 

Once or twice it had happened where when i switch from low beams to high beams, the headlights go out and i very quickly had to try it again, to turn the high beams on, then they worked, try switching back and forth, once or twice, a bit quicker on the stalk lever, if it makes any difference?

Could a fuse or a relay be bad? Also, have u tried to move the tilt steering wheel to a different position, any difference?

 

thanks for the response. I have been playing with it for a couple weeks now and its really getting on my nerve. All the fuses are fine. im not aware of a relay for the high beams but if there is one then i can check. playing with the wheel doesnt help, ive been driving it too. i even put my fingers on the actuator and clicked it a bunch with my fingers and that didnt help either.

 

​​​​​I did a quick search, im not sure if these cars have a relay for the low beams/high beams, earlier models may have, and the newer models may just have the module on the firewall that controls the pop up lights up and down.
But no worries, im sure someone here knows the answer.

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This happened to me many years ago. IIRC, the headlight dimmer switch was the culprit. It's located on top of the steering column. A metal activator rod extends the length of the column, starting at the turn-signal, dimmer-switch lever and ending at the switch itself. Remove the hush panel and you should be able to see the rod and the switch.

JamesC

 

thanks also for the response. What made you determine that was the problem? because idk why it would randomly go out. Because it still turns of my low beams and it still makes the click sound. Ill look into it, any other thoughts?

 

The switch is mechanical, manufactured from plastic or some similar product and is 30+ years old, so sooner or later it's bound to head south. (Mine quit without warning) The pics below are from my 85 service manual. You might find answers there, but a look at a shop manual specific to your car is your best bet. Best of luck.

JamesC

 

Dimmer switch gone bad,its quite common actually. If your lucky you can remove the dash panels,undo the 2 13mm bolts to lower the steering column and you will have a clear view of the rod and switch. The switch itself is mounted with 2 7mm screw i think,but its also slotted. The switch maybe have moved out of position from the rod Thats what happened to mine at first so I adjusted it and it worked properly for a short time. Then the switch internals were soo old and broke apart and i replaced it with a another generic switch that are used for most gm cars of that era and all was good.

 

thanks this helps a lot. I ordered a part online hopefully it will work. Thanks again