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Posted on Mar 19, 2011
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Hi beam headlights drop out intermittent and have to sw to low beams most of the time but if i hold the dimmer switch back i can get them to stay on??

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  • Master 836 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 19, 2011
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The multifuntion switch on the steering coulnm need to be replaced. If you don't have experiance disassembling coulmns then I would recomend you have it replaced at a good shop.

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0helpful
1answer

No low beam headlights, but high beams work.

Which do you have
Low Beams - High Intensity Discharge (HID) OR
Low Beams - Standard ?

The low beam headlamps receive voltage from the headlamp low beam relay located in the underhood fuse block. The BCM controls the relay on the headlamp low beam relay control circuit. Low beam control is determined by a signal on the headlamp dimmer switch signal circuit from the multifunction switch. When the headlamp dimmer switch signal circuit is open, the BCM grounds the headlamp low beam relay control circuit, illuminating the low beam headlamps. The right and left low beam circuits are independent are fused independently in the underhood fuse block. I suggest you take an have it diagnosed by an ASE certified repair shop that has a scan tool that can communicate with the BCM .
DTC B2575 00: Headlamp Control Circuit
0helpful
1answer

I have a 2002 Chevy impala V6 sometime the automatic headlights comes on and sometimes they don't only the parking lights and when I pull out for my headlights to to come on turn off of automatic mood the...

ok when push the lever forward the high beams don't stay on ? then that lever should be replaced cause that's ur dimmer switch to switch between high/low beam lights if the lever is bad can surge you headlight and blow the headlights, have you check headlight bulbs its rare but it has happened that both blow at the same time
2helpful
2answers

My headlights wont work

I don't believe there is a fuse. There is a circuit breaker built into the headlight switch. If you are sure the headlight switch is good, it could be a bad dimmer switch. If you have a voltmeter, with the headlight switch turned on, a larger yellow wire going from the headlight switch to the dimmer switch should be a hot wire. The dimmer switch sends power on a tan wire to the low beams, and through a light green wire to the high beam bulbs.
If your high beam indicator on the dash also doesn't work, then it is likely one of those switches. A voltmeter or test light would need to be used to find which one is bad. If you can find the connector at the steering column going to the dimmer switch, pull it apart and check for power on the yellow wire coming from the headlight switch, with the headlight switch turned on. If no power, the headlight switch is bad. If there is power there, then the dimmer switch must be bad.
0helpful
1answer

Headlights not working

Not a fuse problem , same fuse power's low an high beams . Looking at wiring diagrams an using a DVOM - digital volt ohm meter to test the electrical circuit's is the way to find the problem . The light's staying on for 3 or 4 min's. is a function of the BCM - body control module ! Do you know anything about automotive electrical testing ? Do you know what a wiring diagram is an how to read one . Free wiring diagrams here http://www.bbbind.com/free_tsb.html Enter vehicle info. Year , make , model an engine size . Under system click on lighting ,then under subsystem click on headlamps .Click the search button then the blue link. get yourself a cheap DVOM an test the electrical circuit's , this is how electrical problems are solved .
Electric Testing Techniques You Need to Know
Basic Electricity for Service Techs Ohm law Current Flow Opens Shorts

Plus reading factory service repair info for how it should work would be a good idea .

Headlamps
The headlamps may be turned on two different ways. First, when the driver places the headlamp switch in the HEADLAMP position, for normal operation. Second, with the headlamp switch placed in the OFF position, for automatic lamp control (ALC). During ALC, the headlamps will be in day time running lamp (DRL) operation in daylight conditions, or low beam operation in low light conditions. The LH HDLPand RH HDLP fuses, supply battery positive voltage from the underhood junction block to the left and right headlamps. The circuit continues through both low and high beam lamps, then back to the underhood junction block. The low beam and high beam circuits continue to the headlamp switch. The low beam and high beam circuits also provide the body control module (BCM) with both low and high beam inputs. The headlamp switch includes the dimmer switch and the flash-to-pass switch. When the headlamp switch is placed in the HEADLAMP position a path to ground is provided. Ground is provided at G201. Depending on the position of the high/low beam switch, either the low or high beam circuit will now have power and ground.
The LH HDLP fuse in the underhood junction block, supplies battery positive voltage to the automatic lamp control (ALC) headlamp relay coil circuit. The ALC relay switch circuit is connected to the low beam circuit at the headlamp switch. When the headlamp switch is placed in the OFF position, the BCM will automatically turn on the low beams in low light conditions. The BCM energizes the ALC relay, closing the switch contacts and grounding the low beam circuit. Ground is provided at G201. With the headlights in the low beam position, the high beams may be momentarily turned on or flashed with the dimmer switch handle. The flash-to-pass feature is accomplished by pulling the dimmer switch handle toward the driver. The headlights may be switched to high beam with the opposite movement of the dimmer switch lever. When the headlamp dimmer switch handle is pulled toward the driver, the flash-to-pass switch closes grounding the high beam circuit. Ground is provided at G201. Both high beams will remain on until the driver releases the switch handle.
If the driver places the headlight switch in the HEADLAMP position , the headlights will remain on until turned off or the battery runs dead.
Do you know what a factory diagnostic trouble shooting chart is ?

Headlamps Inoperative - Low Beams

Step
Action
Yes
No
Schematic Reference: Headlights/Daytime Running Lights (DRL) Schematics
1
Did you perform the Lighting System Diagnostic System Check?
YES - Go to Step 2
NO - Go to Diagnostic System Check - Lighting Systems
2
Place the headlamp switch in the HEADLAMP position.
Place the headlamp dimmer switch in the LOW position.
Do the low beam headlamps illuminate?
YES - Go to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections in Wiring Systems
NO - Go to Step 3
3
Disconnect the turn/headlamp wiper switch assembly connector C2.
Connect a 15 amp fused jumper between the headlamp low beam signal circuit and a good ground.
Do the low beam headlamps illuminate?
YES - Go to Step 4
NO - Go to Step 5
4
Inspect for poor connections at the harness connector of the turn/headlamp wiper switch assembly. Refer to Testing for Intermittent Conditions and Poor Connections and Connector Repairs in Wiring Systems.
Did you find and correct the condition?
YES - Go to Step 7
NO - Go to Step 6
5
Repair an open or high resistance in the headlamp low beam signal circuit. Refer to Circuit Testing and Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
YES - Did you complete the repair?
NO - Go to Step 7
--
6
Replace the turn/headlamp wiper switch assembly. Refer to Multifunction Turn Signal Lever Replacement - On Vehicle in Steering Wheel and Column.
Did you complete the replacement?
Go to Step 7
--
7
Operate the system in order to verify the repair.
Did you correct the condition?
YES - System OK
NO - Go to Step 3

0helpful
1answer

No headlights working

Just low beams headlamp switch, bulbs, dimmer switch, low beam relay, fuses
just hi beams : dimmer switch, high beam relay, bulbs , fuse
Both Headlamp switch , dimmer switch, fuse, bulbs.
0helpful
1answer

Headlights do not turn on my chevy cavalier. replaced light bulbs and high beams stay on but no low beams.

Sounds like your dimmer switch is stuck on or broken/worn out. Sometimes you can get it back by clicking your high beam switch in & out many times. If it frees up & switches back to lowbeam it will buy you time before you need to replace the dimmer switch. If not you will need to replace it right away.
0helpful
2answers
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