Headlights only work with hibeam switch

[RobM]

So I think the problem is in the steering column. Here's the problem I'm dealing with my 1987 Buick regal. If I turn on the heading light switch I have all lights, tail lights, rev and brake lights work and so does the turn signals and no headlights. But if I turn on the hi beam switch, all the headlights come on and everything still works. I tested and checked all the wiring and everything looked fine. So I changed the headlight switch, just for the hell of it. But I'm still having the same problem. So what do you think the problem is ?

 

[pontiacgp]

when you turn the headlights on is there any power to the brown wire in the headlight socket?

 

[81Regal]

Ive had that issue before, its the dimmer switch on the lower part of the collumn.

 

[5spdCab]

I'm going to assume that you changed the low beam bulbs, even though they both rarely ever go out at the same time. I once had both low beams go out in less than a 24hr period.
Most likely, as noted above, probably the dimmer switch.

 

[pontiacgp]

I think the op got lost in the dark.....

 

[RobM]

when you turn the headlights on is there any power to the brown wire in the headlight socket?

Sorry for getting back late to your question, been working doubles. The answer is yes, and there is power.

 

[pontiacgp]

if there is power on the brown on both sockets then it sounds like the low beam in the bulbs are bad

 

[Kra5379]

I had the same issue with my cutlass, it’s the switch under the dash on the steering column. I believe it’s almost a round connector with 3 wires, get a wire diagram and find out which provides power and which is for the low beam circuit and use a piece of jumper wire (about 12-14 gauge) and jumpthe power to the low beam in the connector, not at the switch. Make sure it’s not touching anything else and tape it up!!! You won’t have high beams but you avoid replacing that switch

 

[5spdCab]

I had the same issue with my cutlass, it’s the switch under the dash on the steering column. I believe it’s almost a round connector with 3 wires, get a wire diagram and find out which provides power and which is for the low beam circuit and use a piece of jumper wire (about 12-14 gauge) and jumpthe power to the low beam in the connector, not at the switch. Make sure it’s not touching anything else and tape it up!!! You won’t have high beams but you avoid replacing that switch

I put a toggle switch in on the high beam side after running a jumper wire when my column mount dimmer switch failed. It is rated at 25 amps and glows blue when turned on. I have it mounted in my instrument cluster bezel near the regular head light switch. The pic below is from while I was upgrading to full gauges just a month ago.

I swapped to a different switch for the second photo, which is the configuration I stayed with when I installed the cluster back into the car.

 

[Kra5379]

I put a toggle switch in on the high beam side after running a jumper wire when my column mount dimmer switch failed. It is rated at 25 amps and glows blue when turned on. I have it mounted in my instrument cluster bezel near the regular head light switch. The pic below is from while I was upgrading to full gauges just a month ago. View attachment 158506View attachment 158507

I swapped to a different switch for the second photo, which is the configuration I stayed with when I installed the cluster back into the car.

Or you can do that!! LMAO