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Help - weird light problem

Discussion in 'Electronics' started by Stig, Dec 2, 2012.

  1. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    Pulled up to shops tonight on the way home. Went into the shop and when I came out the low beams won't work.
    The high beam light is on permanently and there's no low beam. The high beams/fogs are working but I can't get the lows to work.
    I went to the shed and got my BGB, hopefully I can figure what happened because I need to get her thru a roadworthy this week.

    Has anybody had this before? Any ideas?
     
  2. fernandocelica

    fernandocelica Well-Known Member Donated!

    Hi Kevin it might be the glove it self try changing that first or it as a short on the wire's behind the glove holder
     
  3. lone wolf

    lone wolf Well-Known Member Donated!

    I exchanged the connector itself on all celica's including one on lone wolf as well.. They all kinda melt down and wear out. Probaby due to the flipping headlights I guess or poor quality OEM product :). Wiring gets old as well, old, stiff, breaking and insulation letting go... you know this allready so I guess taking a multi meter and go back from the light to the switch...
     
  4. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    It's not the globes, if it was wiring the highs would be dead too?
    I'll take a meter to work and have a look after
     
  5. lone wolf

    lone wolf Well-Known Member Donated!

    H4 shares the ground, but both high and low have their own power. But it can be a relais ..
     
  6. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    The way it worked one minute and the next refused to even try suggests a relay to me?
    I haven't looked at it yet as I had to work late
     
  7. Awesome-Trac

    Awesome-Trac Well-Known Member

    I had this same problem with my 1990 Corolla 4dr DX, I replaced bulbs, relays, fuses and even the housing only to find out it was the hi/low beam switch on the steering column
     
  8. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    I checked fuses and swapped relays today with no joy - so you may be right
    I'm pretty sure I have a column switch here - somewhere
    The high beam light shouldn't be on at all but it stays on all the time
     
  9. Awesome-Trac

    Awesome-Trac Well-Known Member

    I'm pretty sure it is cause if you have voltage going through the light for low beam means circuit is closing so my money's on that switch on the column
     
  10. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    According to the BGB its, Fuses, Relay, switch or earth.
    The other 3 are OK so now it's down to checking the switch
     
  11. lone wolf

    lone wolf Well-Known Member Donated!

    I have 2 spares pre-facelift laying around, you can have one shipping only.
     
  12. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    Actually I'd like to try a LHD unit and see how that feels, my Alfa's had everything the other way round too.
    Dunno if pre & post are compatible, also mine is JDM but I don't think that's an issue.
    I'm going to dig for it later, as you know my life has been a f/up the last few months - thanks for the offer & I hope it hasn't been dumped
     
    Last edited: Dec 4, 2012
  13. lone wolf

    lone wolf Well-Known Member Donated!

    there is a difference between pre and post facelift so if your's is a post...it probably won't work..
     
  14. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    I found my spare tonight, now to get it swapped.
    I remember when I compared the spare with a GT4 unit they were different as well, I think the plugs were different
     
  15. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    Swapped the column switches last nite - all is working 100% now
    Thanks for the input guys
     
  16. Awesome-Trac

    Awesome-Trac Well-Known Member

    Nice right on the Money for this problem
     
  17. solder_guy

    solder_guy Well-Known Member Donated!

    Q: if you take off the cap at the end of the switch stalk, can you spray contact cleaner and turn through all positions and clean the switch?
     
  18. Stig

    Stig ST162 Guru Donated!

    I don't think so
    I've kept the old switch and dismantled it as far as I can, I think something broke inside and I can't see a way of removing the cap without breaking it.
    The Hi-Lo switch works a plunger at the base of the stalk and it could also be the problem.
    It's all in storage now and I don't know when I'll be able to suss it out further.

    I'm just glad the car was able to pass the test in time and get back on the road
     

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