Malfunctioning headlights...

[quad4berettagtz]

All,

My '90 Garnet GTZ has a headlight problem. Low beams will not stay on. It "clicks" inside the headlight switch (repeatedly every couple of seconds) and will not bring them on. Flip the high beams on, and I've got lights and no clicking. Running lights and fog lights all work fine when attempting the lows. It is NOT the headlight switch itself, as I checked this already with a different switch. I have a sneaking feeling it is something between the headlight switch and the high/low switch.

Anyone have something like this before??

[Cliff8928]

If I remember right, there's some kind of circuit breaker built into the switch. I'd maybe try swapping the bulbs out possibly, since you have a few cars there to be able to do that.

[3X00-Modified]

Isn't there a relay somewhere too? But since you can hear the clicking at the switch then Cliff may be on to something.

[quad4berettagtz]

Original instincts win folks. After confirming that there wasn't anything else between the switch and the high/low beam switch, I started using that idea of Cliff's to start swapping things around. I swiped the h/l switch out of the autox car (installed new this spring) and worked like a charm. Looks like the autox car will need another new switch before its next event in september because I'm not re-swapping! Problem solved - thanks for the ideas guys!

[Travelor]

Stop pulling parts off that car! Finish the pink car!!

[3X00-Modified]

I thought you had already tried another switch.

[Cliff8928]

Tried another main headlight switch, not the dimmer (hi/lo) switch.

[3X00-Modified]

Oh... Mines all one piece... my bad.

[quad4berettagtz]

Yea, welcome to old school interior!

Update: fail on the high/low switch being at fault. I'm pretty sure I've either got a short under the dash or something is shorting (maybe a bulb?) up front. It worked great while sitting still in the garage (after switching the high/low) which gave me a false positive. Yesterday after driving it it shorted out again and tripped the internal circuit breaker in the headlight switch. Tonight I'll try investigating wires under the dash and I'll swap out some other headlights to see if it makes any difference. High beams still work great which means it is just on the low side.

Also - Pat, not to worry you know the race car will get its stuff returned to it (or new parts!) before the next event so I can "exercise" the car. Oh yea, and the pink car is DONE (finally). It actually runs better than it has in a long time - maybe since we bought it. I forgot how nice that car is, and how stupidly smooth 3100/4T60's are.

I'll give you guys an update tomorrow!

[3X00-Modified]

Yeah sock 4t60e's are stupidly smooth... mine are far from that though... LOL

[quad4berettagtz]

Update - fixed for real this time. Problem? THE STUPID PASSENGER FRONT BULB!!

Good job Cliffy - you are like a bloodhound and can diagnose my car from anywhere in the US with just a typed description...

Other update that I never posted... it had a misfire (getting really bad) and was inconsistent... turned out the be the crank position sensor - which broke into two pieces no less when removed. She runs as smooth as the day she turned 200k (now at 240k!?!?).

I have no more Beretta's to fix with the pink car finally done... better start ponying up for my van's new engine!