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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: Artezio on October 12, 2017, 10:52:55 AM

Title: 1983 k20 floor mounted dimmer switch/highbeams
Post by: Artezio on October 12, 2017, 10:52:55 AM
Ok so I recently started having issues with the highbeams in my 83 k20, the highbeams will work perfectly fine for about 5-10 minutes then they start flickering between low and high. I was actually driving on a trip from salt lake Utah to Phoenix Arizona and it had gotten dark on the interstate and of course that's when it started to happen. Very dangerous situation so I need to get this fixed asap. Is this caused by the dimmer switch on the floor going bad? Possibly old wiring? Any help is appreciated, I sure hope I don't have to retire the headlight system.
Title: Re: 1983 k20 floor mounted dimmer switch/highbeams
Post by: bd on October 12, 2017, 11:42:43 AM
Are the headlamps actually switching between high beam and low beam or just flickering?  The headlamp switch contains an integral, non-serviceable circuit breaker that is a known weak point in the headlamp circuit engineering.  The circuit breakers operate near the limit of their capacity and can periodically open or oscillate with a nominal increase in current flow.  As the headlamp switch ages with use, the symptoms can worsen.
Title: Re: 1983 k20 floor mounted dimmer switch/highbeams
Post by: Artezio on October 12, 2017, 11:57:07 AM
Its actually flickering between high and low, the 2 little blue lights that indicate whether you are on high or low are going on and off as well
Title: Re: 1983 k20 floor mounted dimmer switch/highbeams
Post by: bd on October 12, 2017, 01:10:29 PM
Is the wiring original or has it been modified with headlamp relays?
Title: Re: 1983 k20 floor mounted dimmer switch/highbeams
Post by: Artezio on October 12, 2017, 01:23:37 PM
I would like to think it's original, but it has a 1990 front clip that have the quad headlamps, there are no aftermarket relays or switches
Title: Re: 1983 k20 floor mounted dimmer switch/highbeams
Post by: bd on October 12, 2017, 04:05:07 PM
Replace the dimmer switch.
Title: Re: 1983 k20 floor mounted dimmer switch/highbeams
Post by: juggernaut6625 on October 13, 2017, 04:11:08 PM
I had a similar issue in my 83 C1500. Replace the dimmer switch. It should only be about 15 bucks at O'reillys. Also, I had an issue with my lights becoming very dim and all i had to do was open up the headlight connections and clean all my contacts.