write up: hi and low beams on same time
I know this thread is 3 years old, but you realize you can do the same thing just using a 2-wire splice connector and it'll take less than 5 minutes. This was one of the first mods I did on my car back in 2000.
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Then there's something wrong with your car. Perhaps a previous owner was messing with the wiring or changed the standard sealed beam lights to something else (halogen capsules or HID). All 98-02 Firebirds are wired to keep the low beam headlights on when the high beams are used. Only the fog lights turn off when using high beams.
Most of the non-North American cars have the same setup as the Camaro (at least they did in 1999 when my car was made) where the lights don't stay on at the same time. Any chance the high beam switch could have been switched out for a Camaro's?
The stock setup is pretty basic in the Firebirds. The low beams aren't even hooked up to the high beam switch, so switching on the high's doesn't effect them.
The stock setup is pretty basic in the Firebirds. The low beams aren't even hooked up to the high beam switch, so switching on the high's doesn't effect them.
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Verdad Gallardo Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
wssix99 is correct... all North American 98-02 Firebirds power the low beams separately without using the dimmer switch. Note in the attached schematic the splice for low beam power (big connector under the dash near the steering column) and no connection on the low beam side of the dimmer switch. This is different from Camaros which get low beam power off the dimmer switch so the low beams go off when switched to high beam.
I seriously doubt that your two cars were uniquely wired from the factory so either they've been modified or you have electrical problems.
I seriously doubt that your two cars were uniquely wired from the factory so either they've been modified or you have electrical problems.
I find it hard to believe that 2 different cars I bought have the exact same "problem" and that it's "unique." Nothing on those cars has been changed as far as the lighting goes. Neither of those cars were dug inot by the previous owners and if anything, I would be the owner to mess with it, but I would want to make sure it has all 4 on. lol
Looking at the wiring diagrams, there are very few possibilities for how this can happen:
- Wrong part for the high beam switch installed. (Although I'm not sure if the Camaro and Firebird harnesses are the same.)
- A non-North America delivery package for the car.
- Some bizarre type of short circuit.
A few more questions, which may help:
- Just to confirm; with the high beams off, do the regular headlights work correctly?
- Can you turn the fog lights on with the headlights on? If so, do they turn off when you activate the high beams?
- Do you have any RPO codes listed on the inside jam of the driver's door that start with:
NM
V7
CT
CU
CW
CZ
If so, what are the three digit codes?
- Wrong part for the high beam switch installed. (Although I'm not sure if the Camaro and Firebird harnesses are the same.)
- A non-North America delivery package for the car.
- Some bizarre type of short circuit.
A few more questions, which may help:
- Just to confirm; with the high beams off, do the regular headlights work correctly?
- Can you turn the fog lights on with the headlights on? If so, do they turn off when you activate the high beams?
- Do you have any RPO codes listed on the inside jam of the driver's door that start with:
NM
V7
CT
CU
CW
CZ
If so, what are the three digit codes?
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 11,328
Likes: 344
From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
Copy & Paste Moderator
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,764
Likes: 208
From: Eastern MA
Hey guys I just installed my morimoto h1 bixenon projectors. I just did this mod at the same time, I have everything wired correctly but I'm having trouble with the high beam solenoid .I turn lights on everything is fine turn high beam on solenoid drops high beams work , I try to turn high beams off and the solenoid stays down in high beam mode. I have to completely turn the **** all way to off to make itcome back up. Then turn the lights right back on and they are in low beam again. Anyone know what the problem is ?
Just did this mod, can't wait to see how bright it is going down the road. I didn't have to add another wire, I just connected the tan and yellow wires with one of these:
