Headlamps Cut Out Entirely After Brights Are Applied

[odium]

My headlamps cut out entirely when I went to put the brights on tonight. I wiggled the headlamp wires and tried to trace the wires back through the dash but that's as far as I got.

This is what happens: when I have the parking lamps on and I hit the headlamp switch, the headlamps dimly light for just a split second and immediately go out. I can do this with either the brights on or off. To get the low beams to stay on I have to keep the parking lamps on and move the headlamp portion of the switch on and off and on and off until they eventually stick (and stay stuck while driving around).

Has anybody had to deal with this same issue before? I am going to need some very detailed troubleshooting tips. I am an impatient person and so electrical and I typically don't mix.

Where specifically are the grounds for the headlamps?

Where specifically is the headlamp switch that could have burned up?

I couldn't find a headlamp fuse in my fuse box. Do these cars have a headlamp fuse somewhere?

I'm surprised there is no electrical section of the forum!

 

[machinegun]

The headlight grounds are the small grounds on the fron corners of the fendors actually screwed into the inner fender support. You will see 2 -3 small grounds. Make sure these are clean and tight.

The headlight switch will go bad on these and so will the high low beam switch.

Check for good grounds then look at pulling the switch and bypass it with jumpers to see if the hi9gh beam switch is giving you issues.

Based on your statements and comments, I would go for the headlight switch first after the grounds.

Hope this helps

 

[texasturbo]

sounds like the headlight switch... replace it and see...

 

[TKGN1]

Had the excact thing happen this past weekend. Parts house did not have one in stock so I pulled the switch apart and cleaned all the contact points(which had some corrosion) with a small file and sandpaper. Very easy to do and the lights work perfect now.
HTH

 

[odium]

I forgot to mention the brights indicator lamp in the dash doesn't illuminate when I try the previously mentioned parking lamp trick w/ the brights.

Where exactly is the headlight switch?
Where exactly is the high/low beam switch?

 

[odium]

Help me out, general ballpark areas would be fine (column, interior firewall, exterior firewall, etc.).

 

[TKGN1]

Switch is lower left corner of the dash (on/off for lights). Pull the face plate off the dash and the switch has three screws that hold the assembly in. Remove that and unplug the switch. Two little tabs hold the switch together, use a small screwdriver/knife to open the switch up and clean the contact points.
As for the high/low beam switch, maybe someone will chime in on that. I would assume its in the column.

 

[odium]

I took the headlamp switch out and cleaned the terminals, bent a spring a bit more and it works now. Thanks for the help.

 

[TKGN1]

Cool, cheap and easy fix.