WTF is this part? Someone must know!
03-04-2009, 04:51 PM
#1
WTF is this part? Someone must know! 
My headlights plug into it. For the last year or so, my headlights have been 'overheating' and blowing the bulbs and melting the harness'. It's like the headlight wires are shorting out and overheating from the positive and negatives touching.
Now, The headlight motors are fused in the main fuseblock. However, the actual power going to the headlight bulbs does not have a fuse. The only other place the headlight wires run to is this block. I think it must be some sort of relay or something. There is a circuit board inside it, but there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it. I've checked everything else possible and this is the only thing left.
Anywho, I'm hoping someone can identify to me what this is and does and where I can find a replacement, aside from a junkyard.
03-04-2009, 10:38 PM
#4
I would think since it does not look factory and it keeps blowing bulbs adn melting wires it is a transformer. In car terms it is like a coil for you spark plug. It take the 12 volt source and amplifes it to emit more light from the stock bulbs. Won't last long. You should try to find a wiring schamatic and I bet that is not supposed to be there. But that is my two cents.
03-05-2009, 07:07 AM
#6
I would think since it does not look factory and it keeps blowing bulbs adn melting wires it is a transformer. In car terms it is like a coil for you spark plug. It take the 12 volt source and amplifes it to emit more light from the stock bulbs. Won't last long. You should try to find a wiring schamatic and I bet that is not supposed to be there. But that is my two cents.
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03-05-2009, 07:17 AM
#8
Ditto on the control box. All firebirds from around 87 - 02 had that module. Earlier birds used relays to control the pop-ups. This box should only control the up and down motion for the most part.
Are these stock lights with stock harness and all? You wouldnt happen to be running higher wattage bulbs off the stock harness would you?
J.
Are these stock lights with stock harness and all? You wouldnt happen to be running higher wattage bulbs off the stock harness would you?
J.
03-05-2009, 08:31 AM
#9
Ditto on the control box. All firebirds from around 87 - 02 had that module. Earlier birds used relays to control the pop-ups. This box should only control the up and down motion for the most part.
Are these stock lights with stock harness and all? You wouldnt happen to be running higher wattage bulbs off the stock harness would you?
J.
Are these stock lights with stock harness and all? You wouldnt happen to be running higher wattage bulbs off the stock harness would you?
J.
Ok, so that part is not the culprit then I suppose. Dammit.
03-06-2009, 08:22 AM
#14
you most likely need to replace the headlight harness connector, That module is probably not the problem. (also, the power for the headlights themselves do not go through that module) you can disconnect both connectors and the headlights still function. (they just do not go up/down)
Ryan
Ryan
03-06-2009, 02:33 PM
#16
For that matter, it could be your DRL module except that Firebirds don't have automatic headlights so the DRL module doesn't have anything in common either.
03-06-2009, 02:38 PM
#17
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yeah just saying i'd rather be buying 10 cent fuses over $15 bulbs. You could try replacing the headlight switch and completely replacing the wiring using your own fuses instead of the fuse box. Not exactly ideal but should be easier than tracking the problem, i think.
03-06-2009, 05:07 PM
#18
I've cheked over the wires a million times and they seem fine, so maybe I should replace the whole damn harness. I've replaced both headlight motors, replaced all sorts of fuses, you name I've most likely done it.
About the only option left is replacing the entire harness...
About the only option left is replacing the entire harness...
03-06-2009, 06:18 PM
#19
TECH Addict
what voltage are you getting at the lights? worth measuring IMO.
Bad wiring could do it. Bad alternator or control circuit could do it by cutting power in and out, since with light bulbs, turning them on stresses them a lot.
Bad wiring could do it. Bad alternator or control circuit could do it by cutting power in and out, since with light bulbs, turning them on stresses them a lot.