No Low Beams

[96RS Alex]

Ok, It's 6:00 AM. I am stumped and need your help. This is a 1996 Camaro. 4 beam setup like in all 93-97's.

The low beams are inoperative now but the night before they worked fine. The outer headlamps were replaced 2 months ago.

My front marker lights both turn on properly.

My rear tail lamps work properly.

Upon turning on the headlamp switch clockwise again, found on the instrument panel to turn on the low beams, I pull and actuate the turn signal switch and my high beams work properly. I pull and actuate again, still no low beams.

I pulled and checked all the fuses visibly, they all appeared to be good. Even those under the hood found in that particular fuse box.

I suspect it's a relay but the owners manual and Haynes manual does not hint me exactly where to locate it. Time to buy a Chiltons I guess.

I performed a Search and not satisfied with my findings. A turn signal switch or the switch I turn to operate the headlamps is the only other clues I might have to deal with.

For now I will drive with my high beams on and blind everyone in front of me at night 'til I find a solution lol.

Eventually, I will be doing a continuity test on my existing lowbeams but again I would find it extremely odd they would both blow out simultaneously.

Up here in the Northeast, we had a break from the awful humidity and experienced a sudden temperature drop over night to cooler weather and that's when my problem occurred overnight. So what could have happened?

Thanks In Advance!

[Mike88]

Re: No Low Beams

I just finished my sylvania silverstar 9006st conversion a couple of weeks ago after my two stock low beam bulbs went out within days (if not hours) of each other. What's even more weird is that on my beater (ford escort) I had my two headlights go out within exactly 7 days from each other, and then 2 weeks after that I had my taillights go out one after the other within a day of each other. I can't explain it, but all I'm saying is that its possible, so don't assume that you don't have two burnt out bulbs.

[bah]

Re: No Low Beams

they were probably changed at the same time, and somehow went out at the same time

[T-Mill]

Re: No Low Beams

just get in there, unplug one of your high beams, and switch it to the low beam lights, they're the same plug... then turn on the brights, if it lights up, then you've got a circuit problem, if it doesn't, then burnt out bulb.

[96RS Alex]

Re: No Low Beams

T-Mill, I had tried that approach and disassembled the right side lamps to do the plug swap and plug in the good high beam lamp to the low beam socket.

Apparently that can't be done as the weatherpack connector AND lamp connectors have corresponding nubs to prevent a mix up of lamps from going into the wrong position. GM is so clever.

I'm about to turn it into my local Chevy dealer unless I can find a Chilton's manual first. At least I have the option on their early bird envelope to have the dealer call you first before any costly repairs are made at a pre-set dollar amount. I'm not afraid of a diagnostic charge, maybe they will already have found the problem to be deceptively simple as a relay but who knows or maybe they don't have the part in stock such as a turn signal switch lever assembly which I am betting on therefore I could decide the dealership would have the fun in tearing the steering assembly apart or I would do it myself with the guidance from forum members here.

Hopefully I can find a Chilton's manual fast, I can't seem to locate a parts store that stocks them yet...

[ma4life]

Re: No Low Beams

Have you ever checked for voltage at the sockets? You don't need a manual for that, nor a voltmeter. Just get one of those little test probes with a bulb inside of it and poke around for voltage. The dealer will rob you if it's just bulbs.

[96RS Alex]

Re: No Low Beams ( fixed )

FIXED: It was both Low Beam lamps that blew out at the same time and they only had less than 2 months usage on them. I guess if you buy a pair, they both die as a pair. Amazing that they had such a short life span for being so brand new.

Now I have 2 mint quality Sylvania bulb housings. I can take it back to AutoZone and attempt for a refund or do the Silverstar mod.

( ma4life ) I performed the voltage test and found it to be good at the GM weatherpack connectors. Then I proceeded to purchase another set of Sylvanias. $25 a lamp is astounding!

[Mike88]

Re: No Low Beams

I found Sylvania Silverstars on ebay for 25 bucks for the pair which was half what I found them for at Canadian Tire. I don't want anyone to think I have anything to do with this guy but his ebay ID is innovation101 and I had no problems with him.