When I turn my high beams on they wont turn on.

Tiny
RHOOVER77
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
  • 128,861 MILES
When I turn my high beams on they wont turn on, and my headlights turn off can you help me solve this?
Saturday, April 6th, 2013 AT 3:27 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
RHOOVER77
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
And the headlights only turn off once the high beams are activated.
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Saturday, April 6th, 2013 AT 3:55 AM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Possibly issue with dimmer switch/multifunction.
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+1
Saturday, April 6th, 2013 AT 1:21 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Just to add, voltage to the headlamps is hot all the time. The headlamp switch is part of the ground circuit.
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Saturday, April 6th, 2013 AT 1:26 PM
Tiny
RHOOVER77
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  • 5 POSTS
Ok where is the dimmer switch located, and can I do it myself?
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Saturday, April 6th, 2013 AT 4:58 PM
Tiny
JDL
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  • 16,098 POSTS
That arm that you pull to brighten or dim is connected to dimmer switch/multifunction switch.
Disconnect the negative battery cable.
Disable the airbag.
Remove the steering wheel.
Remove the steering column trim covers.
Remove the 2 torque head screws from the multifunction switch.
Remove the multifunction switch.

There is a safety issue because of the airbag. Safety is your responsibility. You will also probably need a steering wheel puller. You have to decide if this something you want to tackle?

The multifunction switch is number 2 in the picture.
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Saturday, April 6th, 2013 AT 5:44 PM
Tiny
RHOOVER77
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  • 5 POSTS
Ok, it look like a lot of work, I might have a professional to look at that problem.
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Sunday, April 7th, 2013 AT 4:24 AM
Tiny
RHOOVER77
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Heres another question: This car has winter tires in the front and the back, and I think it makes the car run funny, could that be the case, and if so what types of tires should I change to?
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Sunday, April 7th, 2013 AT 4:25 AM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
I dont know? The area I live in has very mild winters, we dont use winter tires.
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Monday, April 8th, 2013 AT 12:34 PM

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