Hello.
I hate that my first post is that to ask for help, but it is what it is.
My GF drives a '96 Convertible Cav, and last night the headlights quit working. Both. Here is the situation, as best as I can describe it, please ask any questions you may have.
Start the car, and turn on the lights, using the switch on the cruise control stalk. The parking lights come on as they should, but no headlights. Put the car in drive, and the lights come on (DRL). The regular lights do not engage.
Pull back the stalk, and the two stage lights work. Slightly back brings on the regular lights, full back is the high beams. High beams function as they are supposed to.
Bulbs are good, fuses are good, DRL relay appears good, Doesn't use the emergency brake, and it is not engaged, or malfunctioning. Blinkers, tails, dash lights, all others still working. No evident wiring shorts.
Any help is appreciated. This is her main form of transportation, and I doubt she wants to drive my '63 Beetle every day.
Thank you for reading - Zane
I forget exactly how it goes but due to federal regulation, the dash lights, tail lights and headlights cant be on the same circuit. So your dash lights may work and your headlights may not.
It could be the switch for them.
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
Welcome To J-Body!
It is your headlight switch! Happens to almost everyone here. Just need to replace that, i think the part is like 60 if i rememeber right at autozone. Someone changed it for me literally in like 15 minutes
NauticaZ24 (The TC One) wrote:Welcome To J-Body!
It is your headlight switch! Happens to almost everyone here. Just need to replace that, i think the part is like 60 if i rememeber right at autozone. Someone changed it for me literally in like 15 minutes
Thank you for the warm welcome. With my GF's lemon flavored 'vert, you may see alot of me. Can you kindly point me to the thread that deals with this particular issue? Also, is Airbag removal necessary? I am unsure as to if I can do that, but I can tackle most things.
'63 Beetle
'72 Super Beetle (best 13.84 @ 98)
'96 Cav Vert (GF's)
'04 GSXR-750
Yeah it's the switch. Don't need to take out the airbag, all you have to take off is the piece of plastic around the ignition switch.
Jay
One huge aluminum wing - $200
More vinyl graphics than your ride can handle - $150
Decals for products you don’t even have - $10
500lbs of Car Audio equipment in the trunk - $1500
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Getting slaughtered by a KIA - Priceless
Okay, so can anyone tell me how to do it? I really need to get it done. Is there a place to find instructions step by step? Glad I do not have to take the wheel off.
'63 Beetle
'72 Super Beetle (best 13.84 @ 98)
'96 Cav Vert (GF's)
'04 GSXR-750
could be the low beam in ur bulbs......cause the DRL r just a low powered highbeam.....
step by step is first ot remove the upper part of the column cover, it just pops off, unscrew the tint lever if you have one. The lower cover comes off with 3 screws (cant remember if they are torx or phillips) Then you will see the switch, one bolt on top and one in the front (behind the steering wheel) i believe its 6mm. You'll need a wrench for the latter one, you wont get a socket in there. Once the 2 bolts are out, unplug the electrical and put in the new switch, reverse order
er tilt lever, not tint =\
LOWER BEAM ON LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CAUSE THE DRL RUNS OFF THE HIGHBEAMS..JUST LESS POWER......
Nicolas Smith wrote:LOWER BEAM ON LIGHTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!CAUSE THE DRL RUNS OFF THE HIGHBEAMS..JUST LESS POWER......
wtf r u talking about the DRL's dont have a switch its obviously not the light if the drls work.. dude it happends to like90% of jbodies its the damn switch chill..lol btw thing is real easy and im pretty sure mine was only like 45.00 at autozone took me about 10min to put on.. unplug 2 wiring harnesses plug them back in with some screws..
Okay, I started with this last night, but cant seem to get the bottom of the plastic off that is around the console. The switch install looks very easy, but I cannot get the bottom off around the key hole and tilt adjust. Am I missing something? (My switch was $50.96 after taxes)
'63 Beetle
'72 Super Beetle
'96 Cav Vert (GF's)
'04 GSXR-750
Anyone?
'63 Beetle
'72 Super Beetle
'96 Cav Vert (GF's)
'04 GSXR-750
Well, got it done. Never could get the bottom plastic off, so I just pulled it to the side, and took the bolts out with allen wrenches and a box wrench. That bottom one was a beyotch to put back in. Thank God I finally got it, because I contemplated leaving it out. (Except I hate to do things half way)
So, thank you guys for all your help, I really appreciate it. You saved us some coin, and that is always a good thing.
'63 Beetle
'72 Super Beetle
'96 Cav Vert (GF's)
'04 GSXR-750
the reason you couldn't get it off is because you have to remove the tilt lever, it unscrews, then the bottom piece can come off
