I've lost highbeam!

[fweddy]

I've been working on the electrics of my ute and the front lights were a bit funny but I put that down to not having the back connected. Well all the back is now connected and all front and back indicators work a charm . The tail lights work now that I've modified a bit of metal that was holding the springs away from the bulb .

I had one head light very dim and one normal - fixed the earth and both are bright - but I have no high beam - when I press the dip switch the high beam light comes on in the speedo (must have wired something up right! ) but the head lights go out completely

What's up?

[rayofleamington]

either a bad dip switch or the wiring between the dip switch and the headlights. Trw the connector at the switch first (give it a wiggle etc..) then follow the wire to the lights. There aren't many connectors (probably just a bullet at the inner wings so it shouldn't take long to find (hopefully)

[Gareth]

If the connector pins to the light units aren't making proper contact, could that be the cause?? Try teasing the pins slightly (or bend 'em a bit... ) and refit to see if that works.

[simmitc]

From dip switch blue and white wire goes to bullet connector behind speedo / glove-box, where it splits to high beam warning light and into harness. From there, inside harness to r/H inner wing where another bullet splits to R/h lamp and across front of car (still in harness) to L/h inner wing. Last bullet to L/h lamp. As both lights are out, it won't be the last bullet (that would be only l/h out) but could be any of the others. One obvious fault could be that both main beam filaments have blown - it can happen. Use a volt meter or a sinple bulb to check that you have power to the connector that goes inside the headlamp. Also doble check earth connections (black wires) from headlamp to inner wing.

[salty_monk]

If both bulbs have blown the high beam filament you should be able to see it, maybe even from the outside if you're lucky... if not bulbs out & look for the dangly bit!

[Willie]

The fact that the high beam warning lamp operates proves that the
dip switch is working ok. As suggested check those bullet connectors
with Blue/White leads.

[fweddy]

Thanks - for input - have checked out the dip switch and its connecetions (tried another switch) also have done earths on both sides.

Must be between the speedo head and the first light connection as simmitc says. Or both lights blown.

Headlights are sealed beam so hard to see what's happening inside with the metal sheild thingy.

Will try connections and see what that does for me - If there is power at the connectors to the left/right of the engine bay I'll be sure its either the bulbs or connectors behind the lights aye? - Don't want to take them things out if pos.

[simmitc]

If you do need to get to the headlamp connector it's not that bad a job: Remove the single screw at bottom of headlamp rim, and lift away rim. Don't touch the two plain screws on springs, these are the beam adjusters (unless of course you want to adjust the beam, but that's a bit difficult if the light's aren't working!). Instead look for three cross head chrome (or they were before they went rusty ) screws that hold the inner rim in place. Remove these and the rim, and the whole sealed beam unit will fall forwards, exposing the connector. It's a simple push on fit. Refit is a reversal of removal (make sure the unit is the right way up, it has some locating lugs to assist). This job is a damn sight easier and cheaper than on a modern eurobox

[fweddy]

I've found highbeam!

Looked at the wiring diagram to get a picture of how it works. Looked under the dash for blue/white wires (no glove box liners in yet - makes it easy). I found a loose blue/white wire and a connector with a blue/white and a small blue/white (figure it went to speedo. Connected the loose wire to the same connector and we have light - lots of it!

That's nearly all the electrical done now I think (just interior light)

Thanks for your input and suggestions!

[Willie]

Excellent, and yes, the thin blue/white wire goes to the high beam
warning light.