Headlights as well as the switch on

Hello all I have a 2002 Silverado Z71 1500 HD sportsbed The questions I have are I just noticed that my automatic Headlights as well as the switch on headlights are not working I tried replacing any fuses (found no bad ones) than the relay (switched it out with one that was working (no help) The daytime running lights do work and the Highbeams do work just no low beams in either mood(auto or manual) Any Ideas or where to check next? Im thinking the blinker switch on the steering colum mutli switch (expensive) Please help if you can

Now the weird problem

Reply to
imatoolman
Loading thread data ...

Greetings,

The DRL's are seperate bulbs on an independent circuit, so that's not much comfort. Try unplugging the wiring harness from each main bulb in the headlight pod one at a time and test each light bulb. If you have good bulbs, then next check the bulb connectors with the dash switch in the Manual On position. If you have power to each connector, then check the ground - which is my bet.

If the bulbs are good but you still have no power to each connector, check the rotary switch on the dash (since you already said you've replaced the fuses and breakers). The column switch is the least suspect since it appears to be a main power issue. The only other piece of the puzzle is the daylight sensor on the dash near the defroster duct, but that shouldn't cause a complete headlight failure. If that fails, go to the dealer (sorry).

Cheers - Jonathan

Reply to
Jonathan

Thanks Much Jonathan Will give it a shot as far as the ground just backtrack the ground wire from each headlight (sounds Right?) Thanks again Is there a way to check the dash dimmer switch to see if it pushing power to headlights (or will I see it at each headlight bulb Correct)?

Reply to
imatoolman

This sounds more like the headlight dimmer switch to me. Its at the bottom of the steering column with a rod that goes to the MF switch.

Reply to
George

Hello again So heres the deal (NO Ground to low beams) I went out with my multimeter in hand today and found that the headlights have no ground on the lowbeams now my most logical thought was to just splice in a new ground, so I figured the highbeam ground was very close so why not use that (Right?) Wrong I was then suprised to learn that when I spliced into the high beam ground wire and tried the lowbeams all the headlights now came on high and low beams . So I figured that the grounds must run through a relay of some sort at this point so I disconnected the splice I made and it is back to a no headlight on low beams. But here is my question can I just run a new ground wire spliced into the lowbeam ground wire and ground it to the body of truck (because lowbeams will work when grounded to the body I tested it and yes they worked as they should (but I thought the wire I was using got a lil hot so I did not leave it connected to long). Or are these headlights designed by GM to be grounded only through a relay to avoid burnout? Or can I go ahaed and just use the spliced in ground and use the low beams safely the way the new ground is? Thanks again for all who respond

Reply to
imatoolman

Hello again So heres the deal (NO Ground to low beams) I went out with my multimeter in hand today and found that the headlights have no ground on the lowbeams now my most logical thought was to just splice in a new ground, so I figured the highbeam ground was very close so why not use that (Right?) Wrong I was then suprised to learn that when I spliced into the high beam ground wire and tried the lowbeams all the headlights now came on high and low beams . So I figured that the grounds must run through a relay of some sort at this point so I disconnected the splice I made and it is back to a no headlight on low beams. But here is my question can I just run a new ground wire spliced into the lowbeam ground wire and ground it to the body of truck (because lowbeams will work when grounded to the body I tested it and yes they worked as they should (but I thought the wire I was using got a lil hot so I did not leave it connected to long). Or are these headlights designed by GM to be grounded only through a relay to avoid burnout? Or can I go ahaed and just use the spliced in ground and use the low beams safely the way the new ground is? Thanks again for all who respond

Reply to
imatoolman

Greetings,

There are two distinct possibilities here - either each set of lights is grounded independently, or when switching from low beams to high beams it is actually wired to switch the ground circuit from one set of lights to the other.

Try this - with a heavy gage wire, install a new dedicated ground from the low beams to the frame (radiator support should be nearby). If the lights work properly (in both manual and auto mode) and you can switch between high and low beams without problem then I'd say your problem is solved. You probably just have a dirty ground point for your factory low beam wiring harness. Sorry, but I don't know specifically where it's grounded.

However, if you install a new dedicated ground wire to the low beams and you now have problems with your high beams that you didn't have before (for example, both low and high beams on at the same time or unable to switch between them), then you're going to have to find the relay/switch that controls the change between the low and high beams as that may now be the culprit. If I'm not mistaken, the high beam switch is controlled by the turn signal stalk but is not actually part of it - the stalk just activates the switch when moved forward or back. If true it will be a little cheaper to have replaced than the entire stalk.

Good luck - Jonathan

Reply to
Jonathan

Jon Thanks That sounds exactly like what is happening I did connect a heavier wire and grounded the low beam to the ground block on fire wall the lights work just as they should but as you said the high and low beams are now on at the same time I get a amp reading on the low beams of 8.34amps with engine running (lower with it off ) The ground wire is not heating up and feels fine and the lights (all lights function as they should including the DRL and the sensor on dash works too. The only thing that I noticed is that both the high and low beams now come on when high beams are clicked on ( A new High Beam Mod Maybe) I have it wired this way for now and it has been fine so far Am I playing Russian Roulette with running it this way? I also think it is just a switch because the high beams do function as they should I was thinking of replacing the dash dimmer switch on the drivers side lower corner of the dash to the left of steering wheel

1st because it is cheapest and can be switched out in a matter of minutes or leave it the way I have it wired for now and take my chances But the High beams might be too blinding for any oncoming traffic. Thanks for the response Tony
Reply to
imatoolman

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.