Headlights only work in high beams
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
I replaced the dimmer & head light switch as part of the rebuild.
About a year after the truck was on the road 1 head light went out, I used the ones that came with the truck.
I replaced the both at that time.
Tail lights are new, had none with truck, and replaced the front side markers. Even all the dash lights are new.
So I should be covered for a bit LOL
Dave. ----
About a year after the truck was on the road 1 head light went out, I used the ones that came with the truck.
I replaced the both at that time.
Tail lights are new, had none with truck, and replaced the front side markers. Even all the dash lights are new.
So I should be covered for a bit LOL
Dave. ----
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,318
Likes: 1,243
I replaced the dimmer & head light switch as part of the rebuild.
About a year after the truck was on the road 1 head light went out, I used the ones that came with the truck.
I replaced the both at that time.
Tail lights are new, had none with truck, and replaced the front side markers. Even all the dash lights are new.
So I should be covered for a bit LOL
Dave. ----
About a year after the truck was on the road 1 head light went out, I used the ones that came with the truck.
I replaced the both at that time.
Tail lights are new, had none with truck, and replaced the front side markers. Even all the dash lights are new.
So I should be covered for a bit LOL
Dave. ----
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,318
Likes: 1,243
I just checked my parts shelf and I realize that I'm out of headlamps. It's been quite a while since I bought any, so looking at what available out there today I see many sealed beam options. I'm going to start a new thread for exploring headlamp replacements.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Well the upgrade does add some complexity but its not bad. If I can do it, anyone can do it. Not only will the harness upgrade make your halogen lights brighter, I consider it a safety upgrade as well. Stock, if your dimmer switch takes a crap on you, it could kill your headlights all together which to me equals bad. Because the only time you're going to know if that switch goes bad, is when you are using it lol. With the harness upgrade, the lights get power directly from battery through some relays so if the switch goes bad, you will still have headlights. Yes, relays can go bad too but there are two of them - one for brights and one for dim. So that's my 2 cents. With all that being said, I would NOT do the harness upgrade until you figure out the current problem first.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 30,914
Likes: 4,123
From: Angier, NC
It was common when driving down a dark road with high beams on and the head lights would go out!
The switch has a breaker built in and over time it gets weak. Now you put a heavy load on the switch with the high beams or a trailer and you were now in the dark.
When the breaker cooled off it would reset but when in the dark going 50+ MPH just a few seconds is a long time!
What the relay kit does is takes the load of the head lights, they pull the most load, off the switch as the load is now through the relays.
The switch is only used for turning on / off the relays and that is vary little load at this point.
Now if the dimmer goes bad like we think maybe what is up with the OP then nothing will bring the lights back on short of replacing the switch or jumping it out to get to safety to get a new dimmer switch.
Dave ----
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