Headlight problem

Kevin66427 · Veteran Member

Headlight problem

1980bigblockponcho · Addicted!

Check all grounds!!! They do funny and stupid things to lights

jim P · Veteran Member

Its most likely the floor mounted switch. To verify just pull the plug off the switch and with a multi-meter check for continuity between the spade terminals . there should be 3 and if I remember right the center one is the common and when the switch is depressed it puts continuity between either one or the other of the other spade terminals. ( one is for dim the other is for brights).

Jim

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Yup, try a dimmer switch before anything else and I bet it will work. Just make sure the terminals in the plastic connector are in good shape, not corroded. Your symptoms point to it being the switch though.

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

I'd probably get out the contact cleaner and some emery cloth and clean the contact points on both switches.

paris63 · Addicted!

are you running halogen headlights? They draw a higher current than stock and have been known to take out the headlight switch. Ask me how I know, ha ha

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Don't drive at night cheapest fix...

oshawacliff · Poncho Master!

Put in some relays..... after you replace the dimmer switch.

You will get brighter lights and you wont fry the headlight switch.

The power goes through the relay and not the switch.

I put in relays for each of the headlights as I was running 100 watt halogen on the high beam.

You will notice a difference.

Cliff

beaucarlo · Guru

oshawacliff wrote:
Put in some relays..... after you replace the dimmer switch.

You will get brighter lights and you wont fry the headlight switch.

The power goes through the relay and not the switch.

I put in relays for each of the headlights as I was running 100 watt halogen on the high beam.

You will notice a difference.

Cliff

you are absolutely right.....older wiring and switches are unable to handle the higher amperages of newer headlamps take the load off and use relays

hawkeye5766 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

beaucarlo wrote:
oshawacliff wrote:
Put in some relays..... after you replace the dimmer switch.

You will get brighter lights and you wont fry the headlight switch.

The power goes through the relay and not the switch.

I put in relays for each of the headlights as I was running 100 watt halogen on the high beam.

You will notice a difference.

Cliff
you are absolutely right.....older wiring and switches are unable to handle the higher amperages of newer headlamps take the load off and use relays

If not going for Concours judging wink put in the relays and save yourself a lot of headaches down the road. Reminds me I still have to do mine! hmm

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Kevin, here's some info on making the wiring safer and more efficient. It just happens to have a some data on doing it to a 66 Grande Parisienne too wink

http://canadianponcho.activeboard.com/t59579765/wiring-headlight-relays-into-our-old-cars/?page=1

66 Grande guy · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Exactly the same problem as mine right now down to the fried dimmer switch and I'm running halogens. Needless to say I won't be doing any night driving until I get the relays in.

jmont64 · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

I've talked about relaying my halogens too but still haven't gotten around to it. Quite a few night miles and have gotten away with it.

66 Grande guy · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Its probably because your car is so much smaller and has much less wiring than my expensive car, heh heh

Kevin66427 · Veteran Member

That's all very good advice. I haven't gone the halogen route, but it would be so much better at night. The car is just so pleasant to drive with all the windows down on a summer evening, especially after a hard evening at work. I would love to get more use out of the car than I have for the last few years.

oshawacliff · Poncho Master!

I see you are in Ottawa.... Check with the local dealer and see if they have an outside source that does custom installations of electrical stuff.

We have a chap here in Oshawa that is relied upon heavily to do there diagnostic and repair stuff. AV Electronics

He does the dealership work in the morning solving their problelms etc and then goes to his shop after 1.00 pm
Would take him less that an hour to put you back on the road and a brighter night life.

A sample review I found. It is dead on...

May. 22, 2015
Phil was performing some warranty work on my 2008 G6 for a company that sold me the vehicle. He is an ace when it comes to electronics. I also required another key fob and key. He has stock and was able to produce both in minutes. He's crazy busy but there is a reason.

Kevin66427 · Veteran Member

Well......finally got around to solving this problem. The clutch on the day to day little Acura is failing so I have no choice but to put the Pontiac on the road for a few days. Many thanks to Carl and Jim P. The problem was indeed the floor mounted dimmer switch. Carl gave me the part number and one of my dealers ordered me one and even delivered it free of charge to the house in 48 hours. Installed it on Saturday evening and the lights are working again. What a relief. Thanks to both Jim and Carl.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Glad it worked for you and good to hear from you again Kevin.

We have a rule here, you have to post more than once every 2 years!!! Kidding of course, but I for one would like to see more of you (as well as your car) on here...

How about letting Todd feature it one of these months?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Kevin, I just sent you a private message.