93 GA - no headlights

[canadaga]

I've got a little problem. My 93 GA SE has no headlights. The headlight pkg turns on (fog lamps, parking lamps) but no headlights. This happens with the sensor (shift in gear - lights come on) and also when I manually try to turn them on. Any ideas? Your help is much appreciated! They worked this morning.....not tonight!

[Chazman]

Could be corrosion in the switch, I took mine apart, cleaned & regreased - works great.
Be sure you check the fuse before going to far.

[Forkliftguy]

Do you get high beams at all? What's the voltage at the lamp sockets?

If there is voltage chances are the ground for the headlights is damaged, corroded or disconnected from the chassis, or on freak occasions two burnt out headlights at the same time (very rare).

If there is no voltage and since we know the switch is getting power (park lights work), I would work my way from there. Check and see if the there is power coming out of the switch for the headlights and move your way up from there until you find at what point there no longer is any power being supplied to the headlight wiring. Could be a faulty switch or headlight relay, etc.

Marc

[canadaga]

Thanks for your responses! I checked out the fuse and it is ok. The high beams stopped working a while ago. The switch on steering column is not able to engage the high beams (I can feel that it does not "engage" when I pull back on the stick - probably busted from all of the highway signalling I do). If I am able to pull back and get it to engage, the indicator on the cluster shows high beams are on but all the headlights are out....parking lights/tail lights are still on.). I never fixed the switch because I never really use the high's (except to tell grandpa that he shouldn't be in the left lane of the hwy!!!). Right now, if I turn on the high beams (no lights at all on the front of the car) - turn off the car - start the car - turn on headlights manually, the high beams are on. Wierd. If I turn off the high's with the switch on the column, I've got only parking and fog lamps. I am not able to turn the highs on again with the switch. I have to restart the car while the high's are on.

Is there another fuse/fusible link under the hood for the headlights? You mentioned a relay, where would I find that?

[Degtr]

The ongoing problem with the high beams seems to indicate that there is something wrong with the switch, but as an easy test, have you tried putting in a new headlight? Is it possible that your low beams are burnt out since it seems like everything else is still coming on OK like it always did and the beams don't work via sensor or switch?

[buzz14]

Sounds like switch. Just had somewhat similar probs on 95GA. High beams would not engage but if you used flash feature they worked. In the next couple of days headlights would not turn on at all, also 4 way flashers never worked since buying the car. Pulled the combo switch and replaced it. (w/cruise unit is 80.00 plus tax at AutoZone). Relatively easy to replace. Pull top and bottom covers around column. If you have tilt, unscrew the lever. A little wd40 and I could unscrew it by hand then pull the botom cover off. There is a screw at the top of the switch unit and one at the bottom 3 plugs w/cruise at the back of the unit. My GA has airbag and I disconnected the battery and pulled the fuse to be safe.

Hope that helps.....

[swalt]

I would replace the multifunction switch as a start. When I replaced mine I believe I had to pull off the steering wheel as well, but replacing the switch is not that big of a job. I went to change lanes on the highway and I got a big puff of smoke from the steering column. I suspect many of your problems may be associated with that. I think there may also be a relay for the headlights in the black case mounted on the firewall. On my 93, there is a bank of about 6 relays and I'm sure one of those is for the headlights.