headlights will not come on
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 3
From: Clarksville, TN
headlights will not come on I'm trying to figure out why my headlights will not come on... i have checked the headlight switch's fusible link and all fuses I can think of, but I cant find anything wrong. Does anyone have a wiring schematic of the headlight circuit?
What is the chances of the BCM could be bad not allowing them to come on?
Trying to find any way to figure out this issue.
TIA
What is the chances of the BCM could be bad not allowing them to come on?
Trying to find any way to figure out this issue.
TIA
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Beyond that, you'll need to get a test light or multimeter to start diagnosing the problem. Start at the back of the headlight switch and make sure you are getting power on the red wires at all times (constant/battery power). Then turn the switch to Park and check for output power on the brown wire. Finally, turn the switch all the way on and check for power on the yellow wire. If that all checks out then you can eliminate the switch as the problem. If you have input power but not output then the switch should be replaced.
If none of that reveals the problem then you'll probably have to start tracing wires to find a break.
None. The BCM is not involved in headlight operation in any way. (why do so many people fixate on the BCM?)
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 3
From: Clarksville, TN
I was trying to figure out where all the wires go for the head lights. Every single wire schematic I looked at had nothing about the head light circuit. Do they run strait from the switch to the lights themselves, Or do they go throu some other components before they go into the engine bay? Just trying to find the circuit path so I can fine the potential places for the wires to be messed up
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Sorry, ignore my comments about the headlight doors. For some reason I assumed you were working on a Firebird. It always helps to have the right vehicle.
In a Camaro, the headlights are wired from the headlight switch through the dimmer switch to the lights. The quick way to test that is to try the high beams. If the high beams work but the low beams don't then you can assume the headlight switch and everything up to the dimmer switch is okay. If not then go back to the diagnostics I posted earlier.
In a Camaro, the headlights are wired from the headlight switch through the dimmer switch to the lights. The quick way to test that is to try the high beams. If the high beams work but the low beams don't then you can assume the headlight switch and everything up to the dimmer switch is okay. If not then go back to the diagnostics I posted earlier.
I recall that the Camaro has all the headlight wiring going through the high beam switch, so that switch may also be a good place to trace the wires.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 3
From: Clarksville, TN
Here is a video of what it's doing... HID headlights will not come on, and high beams do this
Here is the direct...
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...BEBE2D058C.mp4
Here is the direct...
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...BEBE2D058C.mp4
Last edited by WhiteBird00; Aug 16, 2013 at 07:56 AM. Reason: Merge consecutive posts
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Yes, I saw the video. What does that have to do with doing actual diagnostics? If you want guesses, perhaps one of the psychic network websites could help.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 3
From: Clarksville, TN
Just process of elimination, that if it has marker lights and the high beams are getting something that resembles power, then that is showing the switch diagnostic isn't required... Then it would be down to shooting wires, but I would need a full schematic of where they all go to properly troubleshoot a possible broken or frayed wire. I do this everyday on uav's in the army... If there isn't a bigger wiring cluster F, idk what is...
But I was messing with the switched and high beam selector last night, and now all of a sudden the lights work again... So it would probably be safe to say that something to do with the high beam switch is the culprit. Just have to figure out what part of it is and where it's all located at...
But I was messing with the switched and high beam selector last night, and now all of a sudden the lights work again... So it would probably be safe to say that something to do with the high beam switch is the culprit. Just have to figure out what part of it is and where it's all located at...
But I was messing with the switched and high beam selector last night, and now all of a sudden the lights work again... So it would probably be safe to say that something to do with the high beam switch is the culprit. Just have to figure out what part of it is and where it's all located at...
I highly recommend you also invest in a set of Helm manuals. Just google for Helm, Inc. They are pricey but the best investment ever - with full diagnostic/rebuild procedures and full wiring diagrams for the car.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 3
From: Clarksville, TN
Ya I'm gonna get in there with my multi-meter and get everything checked out when I get the chance... I have a chitons manual already and it isn't as thorough of a schematic as I would like... And I already have the PDF versions of every wiring schematic the car has, except the headlight circuit. Just don't want to go chasing wires That I don't know which colors are for which and start unplugging random plugs
If you are going to get in to serious maintenance of the car, these will save you weeks of agony:
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 3
From: Clarksville, TN
ya i did... it ended up being that one of the plugs for the lights was shorting out to the terminal next to it (ground) and was causing all of those issues. replaced the plug and all was good
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Tyler Texas
cool I will check that. how did you figure it was one of your plugs? and by plug I assume you mean were the bulbs plugs up two?, and also was it one of the plugs for the low beams or high beams?? sorry for all the questions I just really want to pin point this problem, and thanks for your reply
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 3
From: Clarksville, TN
it was one of the plugs i have for my HID's.... the connectors were touching together. If you have stock headlights, then you will have to check between all the wires and ground to see if one of them is shorting out
