Short Time High Beams

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ptodave
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Short Time High Beams

Post by ptodave »

Took old betsy out for a ride last saturday night. Headlights worked fine on low beams,hit switch for high beams and nothing.Replaced dimmer switch and now high beams work but only for about 5 minutes then nothing. Back to low beams seems to work ok. What do you think? Did some searching but could not find anyone else with same problem. Thanks. PTO.
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Post by fordman »

it might be a loose wire on the dimmer switch. or maybe it could be in the headlight switch itself but that doesn't sound like it. if you had a old dimmer switch they can get stuck and not work properly. but since you installed a new one that doesn't sound like the problem. wiggles the wires and see if that helps. it could be the dimmer is bad even though its new.
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re: Short Time High Beams

Post by 71PA_Highboy »

The other thing is an old headlight switch... the CB in the switch will usually reset and you will have flashing headlights if there is a problem... but stranger things have happened...

I would think floor dimmer first, wiring second, headlight switch third...

hth,

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Post by frankc67 »

Could also be the voltage regulator near the battery.
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re: Short Time High Beams

Post by ptodave »

How the heck to you know if your NEW dimmer switch is no good? I replaced voltage reg about a month ago. Paid $9.00 for new dimmer switch from pep boys,LOL. Been a while since I replaced headlight switch,like to figure this ,gets real dark in the canyon I live in, need high beams.


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Post by fordman »

step on it a few times and make sure it comes back up everytime. if it does then you could put a meter on the iwres coming out of it and see if it puts juice through the switch.
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Post by flyboy2610 »

Are these the factory headlights or the new high power type you have to have a relay for?
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Post by ptodave »

flyboy2610 wrote:Are these the factory headlights or the new high p
ower type you have to have a relay for?

factory headlights upgraded years ago to halogen,low beams seem to work fine its just the high beams.
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re: Short Time High Beams

Post by adrianspeeder »

Come see the light and do the relay rewire :thup:

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Post by fordman »

is there a fuse holder on your passenger fender. if so check the fuse in it. maybe it blew.
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Post by ptodave »

fordman wrote:is there a fuse holder on your passenger fender. if so check the fuse in it. maybe it blew.
I will look tomorrow for the fuse,do not remember seeing one there but I will look. Thanks for all the help you guys. By the way what is the fuse for?
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Post by fordman »

well mine has that fuse holder but it has never had a fuse in it ever. and my stuff all works. i think my truck might have the camper special wiring harness in it. that is the only harness i have seen that is suppose to have the fuse there. the reason i thought it might be on your truck is because supermike was having dash light troubles and that is where his troubles were was in that fuse. i was shooting tn the dark so to speak., just a sanother place for you to check.
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Post by rjewkes »

could just be the ground behind the headlights.
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Post by kid »

Light CB is the cause my 350 did it until I relayed it high beams cycle due to the CB tripping. The switch to low beam caused the breaker to stay cool. Halogens are 55/65 Watts low/high stock was 25/35 and then the CB was set for 35 Watts * 2 for 5.385 Amps. So I tested the current draw to trip my new light switches CB and 9 amps was it. The highs on the halogens draw 10 amps plus the resistance in the wires, splices connectors and bad grounds added up to 11.4 amps needed. Pop went the CB.

If you have an Ammeter gauge there are two fuses under the hood for the gauge, one for each side 4 amps each.
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re: Short Time High Beams

Post by ptodave »

So if I put the regular headlight (non halogen) the problem will go away?Is there a up graded light switch for halogen lights? Sure like the whiteness of halogens over the yellow of regular lights. HELP!
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