brights issue--bad ground?
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
brights issue--bad ground?
i'm having a problem with my brights maybe you guys can help solve. after about 20 minutes of driving at night with the brights on they'll cut out, and the lights go completely off. scary. if i hit the floor switch, it comes back on and will stay on with the regular lights. hit the brights again, and they'll stay on for a while and the same thing happens.
i replaced the switch on the floor, but it didn't solve the problem.
i'm pretty hopeless with electrical, and only have a test light, no volt meter, so it would help if any advice was simple! thanks!
mad jack
i replaced the switch on the floor, but it didn't solve the problem.
i'm pretty hopeless with electrical, and only have a test light, no volt meter, so it would help if any advice was simple! thanks!
mad jack
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Either your headlamp switch is defective, or you have a short in the high beam circut.
There is a thermal circut breaker in the headlamp switch, after time the breaker wears out and normal current flow will cause the breaker to cycle on and off causing the headlamps to shut off and turn on.
I'd replace the headlamp switch first thing, especially if it's never been changed, and if it still does it, then I would inspect the high beam circut.
Both High Beam and Low Beam share the same ground.
There is a thermal circut breaker in the headlamp switch, after time the breaker wears out and normal current flow will cause the breaker to cycle on and off causing the headlamps to shut off and turn on.
I'd replace the headlamp switch first thing, especially if it's never been changed, and if it still does it, then I would inspect the high beam circut.
Both High Beam and Low Beam share the same ground.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,501
Likes: 5
From: Faibanks Ak.
Could be just a bad dimmer switch or connection next time feel of it and see if it is heating up.
I run all my headlights on relays the lights are brighter and it takes all the pressure off the switches.
I run all my headlights on relays the lights are brighter and it takes all the pressure off the switches.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
i'll go back to napa tomorrow and try a new dimmer switch first. wouldn't be the first time i got a rotten part from there.
i'll report back with results.
starmilt, i read about the relay upgrade to the headlights circuit and i think i'll try to do that upgrade in the future. i'm not sure if i'm up to the task, seeing as i'm so bad with electrical stuff, though.
i'll report back with results.
starmilt, i read about the relay upgrade to the headlights circuit and i think i'll try to do that upgrade in the future. i'm not sure if i'm up to the task, seeing as i'm so bad with electrical stuff, though.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
Don't dismiss the headlamp switch, it's a very comon problem with these trucks.
The relay upgrade takes the stress off the switches, and eliminates the triggering circut breaker problem.
The relay upgrade takes the stress off the switches, and eliminates the triggering circut breaker problem.
