High Beams Go Out

Ooooner · 08-28-2007

Does anyone have an idea as to what would cause the headlights to go out when the dimmer switch is switched to high beam? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated...

VT_GT · 08-28-2007

Have you rewired the headlights? If the wire going to the high-beams is bad and shorting out, that would cause the same issues. You can also check at the relay to see if you're getting 12V out to the white wire when the high beams are turned on.

opelspyder · 08-28-2007

Check the white wire at the headlight relay and make sure it is hooked up as well. If all looks good, maybe check that green ground wire that controls the switching to the high beams
Keith

Ooooner · 08-28-2007

Yes, the headlights have been rewired and they have been working perfectly for a few years now. It just started this week. I will check the wires both of you have suggested. Thanks!

dcm013 · 08-28-2007

When mine did that I had to replace the relay.
Don

Ooooner · 08-28-2007

Don,
OK, this may sound dumb but where is the relay that you replaced located?

namba209 · 08-28-2007

Roy, both headloight relays are behind the fuse panel and are held on to studs with 10mm head nuts, IIRC. The Green wire as stated operates the relay from the dimmer switch, the White/Yellow is the power wire to the relay as well as the microswitch in the right hand bucket, when the relay is activated, the relay switches to low beams, via the Yellow wire or high beams via the Yellow/White wire to the headlights. HTH.

Ooooner · 08-29-2007

Ron,
Thanks for your help once again. I will start digging into the problem this afternoon!

soybean · 08-29-2007

Roy, check out this Thread. Post nos 8 shows the relays to give you a better idea what to look for. Hth, Jarrell

opelspyder · 08-29-2007

In Destecs wiring diagram it states you can remove that yellow and white wire all together as it is not needed. What then allows the relay to work if they will only work if the headlights are in the up position?
Keith

namba209 · 08-29-2007

Originally Posted by opelspyder

In Destecs wiring diagram it states you can remove that yellow and white wire all together as it is not needed. What then allows the relay to work if they will only work if the headlights are in the up position?
Keith

Keith, JJ suggests the White/Yellow wire to the microswitch be removed. It is a power source for the headlight indicator bulb that actually doesn't do anything once both headlights are locked open, but does power the bulb if the left headlight is not locked open. The White/Yellow wire from the headlight relay to the high beam relay, powers the headlights, both high and low beam and JJ suggests a fuse in that wire between the two relays. Hope this clarifies it a bit for you.

Ooooner · 08-29-2007

Jarrell and Keith,
Thanks for the additional information. I will be looking at this problem today and see what I find out... Again, thanks to everybody.

08-28-2007	#1 (permalink)
Ooooner Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Concord, North Carolina Posts: 1,118 Real Name: Roy Bell	Unanswered: High Beams Go Out Does anyone have an idea as to what would cause the headlights to go out when the dimmer switch is switched to high beam? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated... __________________ Roy Bell 1973 Opel GT 74 Manta Rallye Concord, North Carolina Carolina Opel Club OMC

08-28-2007	#2 (permalink)
VT_GT Opeler Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Home of the Hokies, VA Posts: 25	Have you rewired the headlights? If the wire going to the high-beams is bad and shorting out, that would cause the same issues. You can also check at the relay to see if you're getting 12V out to the white wire when the high beams are turned on. __________________ '73 Opel GT, 4-speed: daily driver '67 Dodge Dart, 471 stroker: 11 second daily driver/bracket racer

08-28-2007	#3 (permalink)
opelspyder Opel Key Master Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,301 Provided Answers: 4	White wire Check the white wire at the headlight relay and make sure it is hooked up as well. If all looks good, maybe check that green ground wire that controls the switching to the high beams Keith

08-28-2007	#4 (permalink)
Ooooner Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Concord, North Carolina Posts: 1,118 Real Name: Roy Bell	Yes, the headlights have been rewired and they have been working perfectly for a few years now. It just started this week. I will check the wires both of you have suggested. Thanks! __________________ Roy Bell 1973 Opel GT 74 Manta Rallye Concord, North Carolina Carolina Opel Club OMC

08-28-2007	#6 (permalink)
Ooooner Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Concord, North Carolina Posts: 1,118 Real Name: Roy Bell	Don, OK, this may sound dumb but where is the relay that you replaced located? __________________ Roy Bell 1973 Opel GT 74 Manta Rallye Concord, North Carolina Carolina Opel Club OMC

08-28-2007	#5 (permalink)
dcm013 Opeler Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Troy, MI Posts: 333	When mine did that I had to replace the relay. Don

08-28-2007	#7 (permalink)
namba209 6,000 Post Club Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Imperial Beach, CA South of San Diego Posts: 6,054 Provided Answers: 6	Roy, both headloight relays are behind the fuse panel and are held on to studs with 10mm head nuts, IIRC. The Green wire as stated operates the relay from the dimmer switch, the White/Yellow is the power wire to the relay as well as the microswitch in the right hand bucket, when the relay is activated, the relay switches to low beams, via the Yellow wire or high beams via the Yellow/White wire to the headlights. HTH. __________________ Ron 72 GT 3.4L V-6/T-5/ZF posi - almost done - Just need AC installed. 75 Chevy monza 5.7L/TH350/Auburn 3.08 posi - Next

08-29-2007	#8 (permalink)
Ooooner Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Concord, North Carolina Posts: 1,118 Real Name: Roy Bell	Ron, Thanks for your help once again. I will start digging into the problem this afternoon! __________________ Roy Bell 1973 Opel GT 74 Manta Rallye Concord, North Carolina Carolina Opel Club OMC

08-29-2007	#9 (permalink)
soybean Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Reidsville N.C. Posts: 2,160	Roy, check out this Thread. Post nos 8 shows the relays to give you a better idea what to look for. Hth, Jarrell __________________ You lose your dreams, you lose your mind. (The Rolling Stones)

08-29-2007	#10 (permalink)
opelspyder Opel Key Master Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,301 Provided Answers: 4	Yellow and white wire In Destecs wiring diagram it states you can remove that yellow and white wire all together as it is not needed. What then allows the relay to work if they will only work if the headlights are in the up position? Keith

08-29-2007	#12 (permalink)
Ooooner Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Concord, North Carolina Posts: 1,118 Real Name: Roy Bell	Jarrell and Keith, Thanks for the additional information. I will be looking at this problem today and see what I find out... Again, thanks to everybody. __________________ Roy Bell 1973 Opel GT 74 Manta Rallye Concord, North Carolina Carolina Opel Club OMC

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