Author Topic: High beam relay?  (Read 1898 times)

Offline JohnnyPopper

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High beam relay?
« on: March 25, 2020, 02:10:13 PM »
Inspired by Covid-19, decided to gas up the '88 3+3 dual tanks.

It was about 8:30 pm,  turned on the headlights, they were on high beam so I pulled the turn signal to dim them and they went off, never to come on again.

Needless to say, I had to wait till morning to go out for gas.

I assume there is an outboard relay on these,  when I pull the lever, no clicky clicky........

We're not heading for the hills YET, so I haven't given too much time to figure, but wondered of any of you know offhand how this is built?
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: High beam relay?
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2020, 03:06:43 PM »
The factory wiring is old school. High and Low are controlled through the dimmer switch. Does the high beam indicator come on? Single or dual headlights?
,                           ___ 
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              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: High beam relay?
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2020, 03:57:03 PM »
Dual, didn't think to look at the indicator when it died. Rest of the lighting works.

Thanks!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: High beam relay?
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2020, 04:12:36 PM »
Yes check the indicator first. If no indicator, I'd suspect an issue with the dimmer. If it is working, go out to the headlights with your test light. It's not uncommon for the bulbs to burn out.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: High beam relay?
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2020, 04:16:59 PM »
Thanks VZ! So is the dimmer switch in the steering column?

I'll spend some time with it this weekend, got no other plans ::)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: High beam relay?
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2020, 04:29:08 PM »
That little circle is where the rod from the lever actuates the dimmer and yes it is bolted to the column.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: High beam relay?
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2020, 04:31:34 PM »
Thanks Bro, I'll let you know what I find.  :)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline ehjorten

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Re: High beam relay?
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2020, 02:59:43 PM »
It isn't unusual for the connections on those quad-beam lamps to be finicky also!  On my '91 you can wiggle the connections at the lamp and get them to go out!
-Erik-
1991 V3500 - Gen V TBI 454, 4L80E, NP205, 14 bolt FF, D60, 8" Lift on 35s
1977 K20 Silverado - 350, THM350, NP203, 14 bolt FF, D44, Stock Lift on 31s
1969 Chevelle Malibu Sport Coupe - EFI350, THM350
1968 Chevrolet Step-side Pickup - 300HP L6

Online bd

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Re: High beam relay?
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2020, 03:40:57 PM »
Liberally dousing the headlamp connections with WD-40 and working the connectors often restores electrical continuity for a surprisingly long time.
Rich
It's difficult to know just how much you don't know until you know it.
In other words... if people learn by making mistakes, by now I should know just about everything!!!
87 R10 Silverado Fleetside 355 MPFI 700R4 3.42 Locker (aka Rusty, aka Mater)

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: High beam relay?
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2020, 10:15:20 PM »

Thanks guys!

It is system wide, as all the headlights are non-functunada (little Spanish lingo)
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction