headlights not working!

[Joe Grenchik]

I own a 1996 Jimmy 4.3L. My brights and headlights will not turn on. All my other lights and signals work fine. I took the headlight bulbs out and checked for power with no luck. Is the an in-line fuse or a relay that may be bad? HELP!

[Teaman3]

If there is no voltage at the headlamp connector, then there may well be a fuse that's blown. You should check that the chassis ground is sound too. By "brights" I assume you mean marker/side lights ?

The fuse block may well be under the dash to the left of the brake pedal. Look for a panel with "FUSES" moulded into it. It won't be easily seen I bet. There's a fuse , 20A, marked T/L CTSY for the sidelights. The headlights look to be directly wired through the headlamp switch. You might as well examine all the fuses using the legend which should be stuck on the back of the panel/lid. Careful about pulling fuses for the computer though; you'll reset it.

[daves-a-killer]

I am having a similar problem as well. I have a 1997 GMC Jimmy S-15. The problem that I am having is that my headlights were cutting on and off randomly while I was driving. The daytime lights are fine, it only happens while the headlights are engaged.
While the lights are cutting off there is a clicking sound and the source seems to be coming out of the glove box (I assume the relays). The problem seems to be slightly reduced while my High-Beams are engaged.
I have a good relay and tried to replace each relay in the glove box with the new one (one at a time). Didnt seem to do any good. All the fuses in the fuse box seem to be fine as well.
Help...I cant drive at night!

[1996GMCJimmy]

I have the similar problem, only that lucky for me, my lights are working...for now. Could you share with me the part # for the relays? are they expensive?

[daves-a-killer]

Try replacing the headlight switch. I replaced mine, and it works perfectly now.

[fluffydryerlint]

Hi all, I am hoping you can help me out. I have a 97 GMC Jimmy whose headlights started working intermittently, sometimes affected when the steering wheel was tilted a certain way, you would just have to tilt again to get them back on. Then they wouldn't come on at all. I have drl and brights only. I replaced the switch (after reading the solutions here) but that didn't work. I don't think it's the headlights themselves, since they both went at the same time... What's the next step? I'm a newbie who can't really afford to pay a mechanic to diagnose the electrical system.
Thanks in advance for any advice!!
Michelle

[1996GMCJimmy]

Daves-a-killer is right. I also had the HEADLIGHT SWITCH replaced after my headlights would flicker. I could hear the relays on the passenger side flicker and I decided (after some advice here at the forum) to repalce the switch and voila! no more issues. The switch was only $19.99 at my local Autozone.

Good luck

[fluffydryerlint]

Originally Posted by 1996GMCJimmy

Daves-a-killer is right. I also had the HEADLIGHT SWITCH replaced after my headlights would flicker. I could hear the relays on the passenger side flicker and I decided (after some advice here at the forum) to repalce the switch and voila! no more issues. The switch was only $19.99 at my local Autozone.

Good luck

Mine ended up being a short in the multifunction switch. So, luckily I found it, and didn't have to pay for a re-diagnosis.. and really only had to pay for the switch itself, which wasn't cheap, if I recall, it was like $190 total.

[ZL1power69]

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