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Headlight problems

 
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alloy
T56 Elitist


Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: Vancouver, WA

1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 12:38 am    Post subject: Headlight problems Reply with quote

Ok, Daisy has a headlight problem. The headlights go on and off. The light switch was pretty loose and a couple of time I got ht lights to go off messing with it, so I replaced it. Same with the dimmer switch. But I still have the off and on problem. Only the headlights do this, the tail. dash and markers do not go off. So it's a power problems on the headlight circuit only. Both high and low beams are affected.

I've looked and tried to find a relay and also a wiring diagram for an 89 maro, but no luck. Does anyone have a copy of a link to the wiring diagram for the headlight circuit? And does anyone know if there is a breaker on the headlight circuit?

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Last edited by alloy on Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:41 am; edited 1 time in total
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Al Hasse
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Joined: 19 Nov 2005
Posts: 4379
Location: Bremerton, WA

1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 4:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The switch itself has a bi-metallic thermal breaker in it, as most GM cars do. 30 amp IIRC. You can either replace the switch or install a pair of relays on the harness to have the battery directly hooked to the lights (properly fused of course), similar to aftermarket fog lights.
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aaron_sK
Member


Joined: 23 Jan 2006
Posts: 8834
Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton

1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 6:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Al Hasse wrote:
or install a pair of relays on the harness to have the battery directly hooked to the lights (properly fused of course), similar to aftermarket fog lights.


The benefit of going this route is that your headlights will be brighter. When I swapped my Monterey headlights from switched power to relay power the difference was amazing, especially with on hi-beams.
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alloy
T56 Elitist


Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: Vancouver, WA

1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

PostPosted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 8:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

As I mentioned the headlight switch has been replaced. I did the stand alone harness in my car, didn't want to go that way with this one. Just want to fix the stock setup for now.
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Ronald Reagan: "Most of us wonder if our lives made any difference. Marines don't have that problem."
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alloy
T56 Elitist


Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: Vancouver, WA

1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

PostPosted: Mon May 10, 2010 9:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well finally found the breaker for the headlights. Was hidden down between the fender and the body. Like someone stuffed it down there. I could hear it but not find it, but eventually I traced the wires and pulled the harness up and there it was.


Anyway I replaced it and it kept popping off. Obviously an overload on the circuit making it do that. I traced the harness out and there were no visible signs of worn wires toughing anywhere, so I just made me a new harness. Found a great diagram on TGO for it. Made it a little easier not having to think about the design of it. Lights are much brighter now and they stay on like they should

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Member of the "Elite T56 Club" , big brake club, and "burgundy" (not red or maroon) car owner.

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Ronald Reagan: "Most of us wonder if our lives made any difference. Marines don't have that problem."
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BigDaddyVu
12sec Club


Joined: 31 Jan 2004
Posts: 1118
Location: Spokane, Wa

1986 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

PostPosted: Mon May 10, 2010 9:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

are you using aftermarket headlights ie H-4's?
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91camaro_rs
Member


Joined: 03 Dec 2008
Posts: 1712
Location: Fox Island, Wa

1991 Chevrolet Camaro RS

PostPosted: Mon May 10, 2010 10:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

aaron_sK wrote:
Al Hasse wrote:
or install a pair of relays on the harness to have the battery directly hooked to the lights (properly fused of course), similar to aftermarket fog lights.


The benefit of going this route is that your headlights will be brighter. When I swapped my Monterey headlights from switched power to relay power the difference was amazing, especially with on hi-beams.


i agree with going with relays, I have h-4 halos headlights and wiring them to relays made them so they wouldnt flicker and made them way brighter
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BigDaddyVu
12sec Club


Joined: 31 Jan 2004
Posts: 1118
Location: Spokane, Wa

1986 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28

PostPosted: Tue May 11, 2010 4:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

don't foget to repin you headlight connectors
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alloy
T56 Elitist


Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Posts: 1716
Location: Vancouver, WA

1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

PostPosted: Tue May 11, 2010 4:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just stock headlights on this car.
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Twilightoptics
Hardcore (12sec Club)


Joined: 13 Jan 2004
Posts: 9191
Location: Auburn , WA

1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z

PostPosted: Tue May 11, 2010 4:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

H4s on stock wiring can burn out the wiring and or the switch.

Always relay and with larger gauge wire.

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