High-low headlight problem

[ericsky]

I figure this has come up but can't find it in archive. When I put my '95 headlights on low, one side is low but the other is high, but when I switch to high beams it alternates sides and one is high and the other low. I figure it's the column switch, but I'm hoping for confirmation before I source and swap.
Thanks!

[fordem]

It's NOT the column switch - any problem there will affect both headlamps the same way - check the headlight fuses (there are two) as step #1, and then follow that up by inspecting the headlamp wiring for burned connectors.

[ericsky]

Thanks a bunch! I was hoping for a quick reply that would indicate a simpler issue. I'll check that and respond.

[xxx]

x2
but you never said what high and low meant, (dim or the filaments are running reversed)
you do know there are 2 lamps each side right and are HIGH beams and low beams.
and must be wired to the correct pins in the HL socket, right, and not hacked by the
19year old funny light guys. right?

does the passing beam switch make for both HIGH BEAM filaments ACTIVE and not low beams filaments.?
if

no DRL options

the HL have power full time 12v. (even with no key in ignition switch)
the combo switch grounds the lamps.

for sure its , wires bad or connections
but the road map shows the truth, and the FSM has harness views even better.

as you can see the ground is a single wire. to the combo
if the HL is wire per below, then find the voltage drop in the feed.

if both pin 3 lamp pins, hold 12v with lamps are on, the power and fuse side is GOOD. any meter will check this easy.

[ericsky]

Fuses both checked good. sockets and harness near sockets show no sign or burn and look surprisingly good for this old beast. Not discounting brittle wire casing causing potential shorts and will do more testing/reading for voltage drop. But this Tracker only has one socket/bulb per side, and to be more clear about alternate high/low issue- with changer in towards me on low position it displays high beam on left/driver side and low on right. When I push changer away to normal high position it alternates to low beam display on left and high on right. They reflect equal brilliance in both positions for each side and I have them pulled from assembly while comparing.

Now one interesting thing I realized is if I pull changer back in towards me past low position into temporary high/passing position I get equal high brilliance on both sides only while holding in. I'm still hopin it ain't the column switch. I'll test voltage readings tomorrow and report. I have appropriate FSM and meter. Thanks!

[xxx]

DO NOT LET THE GLASS BALL , (LAMP) FOOL YOU, its really 2 lamps inside
infact just like the schematic shows, its exactly that way....


the question is.
1: is one booth low beams glowing dim?
2: or is one low beam glowing on on side and the high beam on the other.

as you may not know, kids wire in the wrong lamps. the mess this wiring all up./

does the red/white wire go to the seam exact pin 2 on both lamps? left and right.
if yes the its a dim issue, (voltage drop)
if not , the kid wired it wrong.
are both lamps stamped with the same bulb part number? (duh factor 1)
did the kid cut up the lamp flanges,
did the kid cut up the lamp socket so he could install the wrong lamps. or do so on one side, then not the other , then mis-indexed one side, kids are, well kids, tricks are for kids...
kid = junior grade PO(mad)

is this a DRL car.?
daylight running lamps. (on full time)
if yes, they have logic in the controller (many kinds in use) that flip the lamps funny with any brake failure, its a warning to NOT DRIVE cars with bad brakes.
IIRC the lamps INVERT , but not cross wise, that is impossible , save the nut KIDS.
ive had 2 cars with his funny logic.


got this weird stuff,,,, many hate it. and loves to melt connectors at the drop of hat too....

http://www.fixkick.com/power-elect/DRL/Index.html

the are in parallel and were wired right day one.
both lamps can be aimed wrong
if one side is high beam and other is low, the lamps are wired wrong, or the bulbs indexed wrong (kids used a cutter on it)
of all that is ok. both beams same both sides all the time.
then its a dim issues.
wrong bulb (or bad (swap left to right) and dont allow gray silver coating inside, its End of life , marks.
dim is low low volts on 12v fuse side
or dim is too high volts on bulb ground pin, say over 0.5v is bad. (and industry bad ground spec)
if ground is too high work back to HL switch and find who is dropping too much voltage.

[ericsky]

Thanks for helping me on this! If you don't remember I'm the guy with the '96 auto shift problem last summer. Driving it like a manual but will hit you up with that again.

No daytime running lights. Bought the '95 2-door 4x4 from dad with 75K in about '99 in Texas. He bought used and clean and was dealer cared in his ownership. Been through mexico and since is 'retired' to Minnesota with hard duty, but no kid hacking is vissible. left this out plus i don't recall even swaping bulbs in years, problem just came on one day recently.

Date night with daughter leaving home for college Monday. Will test more with FSM and meter manana. Thanks!

[ericsky]

I'm so embaressed, it was a faulty bulb. After finally taking the meter readings I should have taken initially, and swithing the good bulbs I had handy, it was became obvious and after replacing the bad one all is good. Hope I didn't wear out my welcome with you guys.

[xxx]

no problem.
im glad the car parts there were not hacked by some kid. as is so common , today.
no you did not, you are always welcome, no matter what.....