headlight problem (major)

[kreeper]

i've got a 95 grand am and the low beams wont come on at all and the high beams only work when i hold the switch in all the other lights work

[Knifeblade]

K, what do you mean by the other lights? The turn signals, the side marker lights, tail/stoplights?

[Knifeblade]

And the high beams only come on if you hold the switch? They don't stay on if you click the lever to hi-beam?

[winstonkiller]

I have the same exact problem.. with a 93, the lights will intermitently turn off, and won't come back on at all. fuses have been replaced, the lights work if I hold the highbeam lever(blinker) lever back, and both high and low beams are on. thats the only way the lights stay on. that means the bulb is fine, is it the switch? could i just toggle switch the head lights?

[xeroinfinity]

welcome kreeper and winstonkiller. toggle switching probley isnt a good idea. its probley the part of the turn signal inside the steering wheel broke . it might be a good idea to look for a used one at a salvage yard, the new parts probley expensive .

[winstonkiller]

thank you xeroinfinity,
being i'm in a lowly part of the globe, what would i be looking for as far as a part in the colum? cuz i'd have to get it myself with the junkyards round here.. or what could i ask them to get for me if they are willing...to get it for me.. or show me? if its uther than the obvious.. thanks.
wk

[xeroinfinity]

Originally Posted by winstonkiller

thank you xeroinfinity,
being i'm in a lowly part of the globe, what would i be looking for as far as a part in the colum? cuz i'd have to get it myself with the junkyards round here.. or what could i ask them to get for me if they are willing...to get it for me.. or show me? if its uther than the obvious.. thanks.
wk

Its just called the Multi-function switch. tell them that and if they say whaaaat, then tell them it is the headlight/turn signal/dimmer control switch. if they stlll dont know what youre talking about, go somewhere else maybe. Problems can sometimes be determined by accessing any trouble codes from the BCM.

They are rather expenssive for a new one, probley around $200. The salvage yard should let one go for much much less. i'd say $50-60 at the most from the junk yard, maybe less if you remove it. its well worth the 50-60$ for one that works though. Hope thats what u were lookin for.

[skibum1111]

When I replaced mine I just bought a new one, cost around $50 and I have cruise. Some things are worth replacing with new parts, some are not. For the amount of time involved in changing the switch, plus finding a good used one, I just bought a new one, it was worth it.

[StealthSnake36]

My headlights were acting up at first too. I replaced the switch and fuses and then everything was alright.

[xeroinfinity]

Well Hell, if a new ones only $50 i would jump on the new one. I havnt recently bought any for Pontiacs, some other vehicles are alot more.

[Ron J.]

Hey, got pulled over 2 nites ago 4 the same prob..... I used to have to jiggle the turn signal switch from Hi-beam to low-beam to get the low beam to stay on .... well the other nite sheriff pulls me over and said it was because I had no tail-lites..... I checked later and it seems I've got brake lites and hazards work too but the only thing that works when I cut the light switch on is hi-beams. I'm gonna go the junk yard route to get another switch, so is it "IN" the turn signal thingy itself (the thing you push back or forward to get hi & low beams) or is that attached to it, and is it complicated tearing that steering coluum down to do the repair? Will appreciate all feedback guys.