headlights. no low beam but hi beam works??

[84cucv1ton]

no idea what im missing. ideas?? thanks

 

[MakersTeleMark]

Dimmer switch. Just did mine today. See the post below.

 

[84cucv1ton]

really?? ok thanks

 

[MakersTeleMark]

Really. Also check your bulb connectors. But it's a $20 fix that seems to fail often and worth doing.

 

[2deuce]

I found those dimmer switches get corroded from lack of use. If yours hasn't been used much, or had a period of no use try working it a 100 times. I've had luck with that.

 

[84cucv1ton]

good thanks

 

[eric_banks32]

I don't want to sound insulting, but are you sure its not the bulbs? I've had 3 cars in 2 weeks come in to work with complaints about lights not working and 2 were bulbs and 1 was a bad connection. One was in an accident because all the brake lights were burnt out......

 

[Wolf.Dose]

Poor ground is not possible, else high beam would not work. So fuse shot or switch is bad, which is common with the age of the trucks.
Wolf

 

[bguy193]

Probably the dimmer switch..........sometimes a bad dimmer switch will cause no dims or high beams.

 

[rjinga]

When I bought my M1009, the previous owner told me that the hi beams didn't work. Apparently the hi/low beam switch went bad. Previous owner's solution was to unplug the connection, close the loop with a short section of wire and tape it up like crazy.

Well, I replaced the switch (NOT an easy job for a novice like me, or does everyone take the driver's seat out so that you can get under the dash to those tiny bolts and screws?), but I still don't have hi beams. (I didn't have any lights at all at first and I was really freaking out until I realized that I'd bumped on the black-out switch)

Questions: When I pull back on the wiper lever, the rod moves and the switch actuates, but there's no "click". Is there supposed to be one? Is it possible that the hi beam in both headlights is burned out?

 

[badassissimo]

Just check the bulbs for the little wire. If it's gone, it's the bulbs.

 

[dstang97]

Any updates? my fathers truck is doing the same thing.....

 

[WARWAG]

I would suggest replacing both head lights with new high end units. I believe I paid $18 each or for both not sure now. Man what a difference the new ones made! One of the originals had a burned out low or high beam (man it sucks getting old cant remember ****). After pulling out the old bulbs the connectors were in need of a serious contact cleaning! Cleaned with electrical contact cleaner and lubed with MP3 and then filled the plug full of Dielectric grease. Now they will never corrode. While your at it clean the contacts on the running lights as well while you are there and also fill with dielectric grease. That also fixed my non working running light. I will almost bet its two bad head lights BUT the other mentions of possible causes are good candidates as well. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Zero_cool]

when mine went out i just unpluged it on the steering colum and pluged it into a floor dimmer switch that i purchased at nappa...cant remember the price think it was like $10.00..quick and easy fix plus i like the floor switch better..

 

[MakersTeleMark]

Questions: When I pull back on the wiper lever, the rod moves and the switch actuates, but there's no "click". Is there supposed to be one? Is it possible that the hi beam in both headlights is burned out?

Work the switch a bit. It should click.

 

[suggsdr]

I had both sides go out at the same time before.Just check with a test light or meter see if you are getting 12 volts at the connector.Could be the switch.I would start at the bulbs work my way back see where you lose power at.

 

[rjinga]

Ok, I replaced the hi/low beam switch - no hi beams; I replaced the headlights (read good things about the Silverstars, so I'd have done it anyway) - no hi beams; I unplugged the connection and plugged it into a foot switch - HI BEAMS!

Crude but effective.

 

[MakersTeleMark]

You needed to work that switch more. That's all. I prefer the floor switch as well though.

 

[rjinga]

You needed to work that switch more. That's all.

When you say "switch" do you mean the wiper lever, or the actual switch located down on the steering column? And, is there supposed to be a "click"? If so, does the click come from down at the switch or up at the wiper lever?

I bought a brand new (down on the column) switch, and the parts guy actuated it at the parts store, I've actuated it manually both before and after install, and I've actuated it using the lever after install - I've never heard a click.

Also, is there some electrical connection involving the lever? I connected the foot switch and "bam!", it worked. However, the hi beam indicator light did not come on. (Does an '85 M1009 even have a hi beam indicator?)

 

[wallew]

Yes - two blue lights at the top of the speedo - if yours does not light you might need to check the bulb under the dash.