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I was trying to figure out what was wrong with the high beams on the GT when I realized there is no dimmer relay. Some had it bypassed with no way to activate the high beams. I would like to use the stock setup and so I guess I need to have the relay. Is that correct?
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Are you certain you have dual beam headlights? Some American cars had 4 headlamps, 2 low beam, 2 high beam. This was the reason some round headlamps were dedicated high or low beam. Check the back of the headlamp and see how many wires are hooked up to it.... 2 wires you have a dedicated high/low beam lamp...3 wires you have high beam, low beam and ground.
Also what year GT do you own? If I'm not mistaken the 68 & 69's came with a button on the end of the turn signal arm to push in for high beams, and the 1970's and later the button was removed and you pulled the turn signal arm back for high beams.
I have the correct dual beam headlights in the car and I can jump the wires in the headlight relay to make either the high or low beam come on. The issue is that the dimmer relay is completely missing. Someone had removed it and bypassed it. So at first thought I was just going to find another relay but that has proved to be slightly difficult to find. If I had the part number from one I could get it cross referenced to a new part.
Baz I have the complete wiring diagram for the car. That's how I discovered that they bypassed the relay (well that and all the taped together wires LOL). So if anyone knows where I can get a replacement relay or even the part number from one in their car it would be of great help to me. Thanks in advance. Larry
It's a 73 GT.
Well, if you don't mind a little work, both mechanically and electrically, I have what you're looking for brand new. I'll post a picture in a little while, but, let me know if you're interestedOriginally Posted by OpelNewb
"Yes, I do have a rifle rack in my Sportwagon"
Before this goes further, are we talking about a relay, or the unit mounted to the steering column?
"Yes, I do have a rifle rack in my Sportwagon"
Relay mounted under the dash. It goes next to the headlight relay. It has five terminals on it according to the wiring diagram.
My mistake then, I thought you were asking about the unit on the steering column.
"Yes, I do have a rifle rack in my Sportwagon"
Are there any retired GT's in your area that you could go and try to pull this part from? Try putting an ad here in the classifieds under wanted parts, or call one of our parts suppliers, OGTS or USAOpels.
With the exception of the 81a Aux out contact, this relay is the same as in the GTs.
The momentary contact can be used to flash day lights for extra passing notice. If you have day lights or fog lights. The aux contact stays hot ONLY while the dimmer switch is held up-and stays out the rest of the time. (ignore any references to my car like locations of relayand RSB). Opel Jim has some GT dimmer relays tested by me personally, as they say, supplies are limited.
grslightning02, I think I have the only Opel around this area (or for at least 100mi.) I haven't ever seen another locally. So parts are very scarce.
DESTEC, That relay is can be found in the car listed in the bottom of the diagram I presume? If so that is a great help. I am also trying to figure out one other thing about all of this.
The way the headlights are turned on is thru the micro switches correct? Meaning if they are closed they should be off by means of the relay trigger coming from the micro switch? I may just replace both relays in the circuit to insure proper working order.
I had also thought of one other solution to the problem. I was thinking of adding another switch 3 position off,low beam, high beam. Does this sound like a better way to do this of course it would still use a relay to keep the current thru the switch to a minimum. I am just reviewing my options aloud here maybe someone could offer alittle feedback. Thanks Again Larry
Here is a simple relay HI/LO switch which can be built for about $10 using parts from Radio Shack. We use these on Hotrods and spaced limited applications. The HI beam will be on only when the lever is pulled.
Hope this helps.
JB
Restore, Customize and Conquer!!!
'73 Opel GT Convertible "Stealth"
'70 Opel GT - 4 speed "Lucy"
'72 Opel GT - 4.0L V6 automatic "Animal"
'72 Opel Ascona 1900 "Junk Yard Dog"
'71 Opel Manta Automatic "Coco"
'72 Pontiac Ventura II SD455 "Monster"
'07 GMC Sierra 1500 - Daily driver
Larry, only one microswitch powers the headlight relay, The other one or two, depending on year, turns on the White indicator light in the panel between the speedo and tach. The headlight relay powers the hi-lo dimmer relay, and the turn signal stalk switches that relay betwen hi and lo beams. From what J.J. said, he tested and gave Opel Jim www.usaopelcom. some functional hi-lo dimmer relays when he was here earlier this year. I'm supposed to see Jim tomorrow, I'll let him know about this thread.
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
Thanks Namba, I am working on the issue as we speak well that and the gas tank. Some knuckle head kinda messed that up. Anyway the lights each have the switch for the position it appears that one supplies the power to the light and the other supplies the ground to the light. The third goes to the headlight relay to kick the circuit closed when the headlights are locked in the up position. Does all that sound right.
the opel gt dimmer relay (an alternate action relay) can work even if broken that is it FAILS ON (either hi or lo--not both) a powered relay fails OFF--something to think about if you're thinking about replacing the stock style relay. Newb, your circuit would be redundant with both switches and relays.
and the switches would not limit the current thru the relays or visa versa.
HTH
Good point J.J. Man I hate long distance troubleshooting trons. Without seeing what's there, I can only go by your schematic and what's supposed to be there. I'm sure glad I drew up all the connections for Willit? when I integrated all those extra circuits.
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
Well I will have it all figured out by tomorrow afternoon. I got some ideas on how to resolve the issue. Since I am missing the dimmer relay all together I decided to go with a floor mounted dimmer switch. So I will be using a 4 terminal relay 30 amp rated as the headlight relay triggered by the original micro switch and hopefully this will all work. Once I get it done I will post a simple wiring diagram and laymans instructions in a new thread and maybe we can get it stickied. It seems like a common way to do this but I haven't found anywhere on here the way to go about it.
Always hated those on a manual transmission car. Always seemed that you were using the clutch when you needed to be dimming the lights, back in the day when you could actually use your high beams for longer than 30 seconds at a time.
Harold
well the GT already has the floor mounted wiper pump/switch and another thingy down there is too many. I am not the only one who operates the wipers when clutching at times. Stick with the original configuration; you can find a relay.
TMK
Well as Harold noted the highbeams these days are not used as much as they used to be and this is a around the town car. I needed to get this working in fairly short order so I can get a inspection sticker. I thought about getting the original relays and I am doing this in a way that is completely and easily reversible and very low cost.
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