Headlight Help

[22229stingray81]

Hey everyone, long time since I posted a problem of my own. Here goes.... Took the vette out today, it was dark so I turned on the lights, the driver side never illuminated, however, when I hit the high beams, it does work. So my question is, you think its just the bulb, or the darn switch? Are the low beams duel filament? Hope its just a bulb.. getting it to a mechanic would be very very difficult now... Thanks for any replies.


-Tatortot

 

[craig32]

Yes, low beams are dual filament, might also be the contacts are getting corroded - either way not expensive.

Craig

 

[22229stingray81]

Ahhh thanks Craig, just what I wanted to hear. I'm looking at the service manual right now, and it seems pretty difficult to change out this bulb. Is it really that hard? It says I have to disengage springs and remove cotter pins. Also, what about halogen bulbs? They seem to be only a few bucks more, are they any better? Thanks again!

-Tatortot

 

[craig32]

I haven't changed one in ages, I think the headlight ring has two screws and a spring, if you take the screws out you can get the bulb out without removing the spring. Not really sure about halogen sealed beams, but if you put one in, you'd probably want to do all four. I'd start by checking the connection on the bulb. If you tap on it and it comes on, the bulb isn't burned out.

 

[22229stingray81]

Thanks agian for the quick response. I will definatly check all the connections while I have it apart. Hopefully I can avoid any spring removal.


-Tatortot

 

[Rawj]

Halogen lights are certainly worth the little extra. Believe me, I have some on mine and there is quite a difference compared to the ordinary bulbs.

 

[BruceBed]

Not trying to get in your shadow. Yesterday, I put on my headlamps and the headlamp light alert in my dash went on. When I put my lamps down, the red light in dash went off.I'm trying to figure it out. What do you think?

 

[black85vette]

Hey everyone, long time since I posted a problem of my own. Here goes.... Took the vette out today, it was dark so I turned on the lights, the driver side never illuminated, however, when I hit the high beams, it does work. So my question is, you think its just the bulb, or the darn switch? Are the low beams duel filament? Hope its just a bulb.. getting it to a mechanic would be very very difficult now... Thanks for any replies.


-Tatortot

Several years ago (not in my Vette, but in a GM car about the same year as yours) I got in my car at night and only had brights. I knew I was irritating everyone else on the road but had no dims at all. I though I had major electrical problems. Turned out I just had low beams burned out on both sides of the car. I believe your '81 has dual lamps, correct? It sounds like just the lamp is out.

 

[22229stingray81]

Thanks black85vette, and everyone else for the posts. I'll go to napa tomarrow and get a new bulb and try to replace it. I really hope that's it and not another problem. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

-Tatortot

 

[Yoda]

Tatortot,

The head light change out is fairly straight forward, as I recall. I took off the surround, which left the head lights bare and easy to get to the hold down screws for the head lights. There are also a couple other screws that are there for adjustments, leave those alone, unless you want to adjust the light itself.

There a 3 screws that are part of the aluminum bracket that hold the head light in place, remove them and the head light comes out the front, just unplug the bad head light and plug the new one in.. I remember years ago a seasoned mechanic telliing me to change out all, or at least both head lights when changing them, something about "Murphy's Law" So I have always changed out both low/high beam or both high beam at one the same time.

When I changed to Halogen, I changed out all four. If you do any night time driving I recommend up grading to halogen.

So, Tator, are you part of the Real World yet?? (you know... got your degree and a Job yet???)

Bruce,
Do all your head lights work properly??

Bud

 

[22229stingray81]

Thanks for the reply bud, I can always count on you. I'm off to the parts store now, and I'm going to see what they have in stock, but will replace both low beams (I know to do that much). No, not out of college yet, and I never will be. Health problems and lost transfer credits are holding me back. Realistically probably another 3-4 more semesters. Thanks for asking and keeping in touch, I'll post to let you know how the bulb change went.


-Tatortot

 

[22229stingray81]

Success! Man was that easy, no springs or cotter pins. Six screws per side out, pull out lamp, put new one in, six screws in, done. Replaced both sides of course. 15 minutes tops. I had all halogens in there already, but when I went to the parts store I asked if the carried incadescent (just curious) and the guy said "I'm surprised you know what that is, no one buys those any more, all we carry is halogen anyways". Big sigh of relief. Thanks for everyones posts and help.

-Tatortot

 

[black85vette]

Thanks black85vette, and everyone else for the posts. I'll go to napa tomarrow and get a new bulb and try to replace it. I really hope that's it and not another problem. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

-Tatortot

You're welcome! Enjoy that Stingray! I helped an old girlfriend rack up 65,000k on her '82 (Yep! I even drove it off the lot, brand new!). Every series of Vette has its strong points. With the Stingray, just being a Stingray is enough to win kudos with me!

 

[BruceBed]

Tatortot,

The head light change out is fairly straight forward, as I recall. I took off the surround, which left the head lights bare and easy to get to the hold down screws for the head lights. There are also a couple other screws that are there for adjustments, leave those alone, unless you want to adjust the light itself.

There a 3 screws that are part of the aluminum bracket that hold the head light in place, remove them and the head light comes out the front, just unplug the bad head light and plug the new one in.. I remember years ago a seasoned mechanic telliing me to change out all, or at least both head lights when changing them, something about "Murphy's Law" So I have always changed out both low/high beam or both high beam at one the same time.

When I changed to Halogen, I changed out all four. If you do any night time driving I recommend up grading to halogen.

So, Tator, are you part of the Real World yet?? (you know... got your degree and a Job yet???)

Bruce,
Do all your head lights work properly??

Bud

All my headlights work properly.