Problem with both lows and high beam headlights on at same time

Joeaksa · 10-03-2011, 07:33 AM

I am having an interesting problem on the car. Its a 1985 911 thats been backdated to 1973 RS specs on the bodywork, but this should not effect the lighting system.

Am slowly getting the car back on the road after a 3.6 transplant. With the backdate comes trying to mix and match wiring but again this should not effect the headlights. So far the headlights should be a straight crossover, but turnsignals are a bit of work.

The problem is that when I turn the head lights on, I get both low and high beam lights on. Go inside and flip the "bright/dim" switch on the turn signal switch and no change. At first I thought that the switch was on bright turning all the lights on, but it did not matter where the switch was, both sets of lights remained on.

Then I went to the fusebox in the trunk and removed the fuses for the lights, one by one. Pulled the high beam fuses and they stayed on! Then pulled the low beams and as well they stayed on. WTF is going on here?

I pulled the #1-4 fuses in the #2 fusebox in the trunk, and on my wiring diagram this should be the power to the high and low beam lights. Have never seen anything like this and wondering if something is screwy with the lighting switch with the "high/low" switch with the turn signals.

Anyone ever have anything like this happen? Suggestions?

Thx,

Joe A

86 911 Targa · 10-03-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

I am having an interesting problem on the car. Its a 1985 911 thats been backdated to 1973 RS specs on the bodywork, but this should not effect the lighting system.

Am slowly getting the car back on the road after a 3.6 transplant. With the backdate comes trying to mix and match wiring but again this should not effect the headlights. So far the headlights should be a straight crossover, but turnsignals are a bit of work.

The problem is that when I turn the head lights on, I get both low and high beam lights on. Go inside and flip the "bright/dim" switch on the turn signal switch and no change. At first I thought that the switch was on bright turning all the lights on, but it did not matter where the switch was, both sets of lights remained on.

Then I went to the fusebox in the trunk and removed the fuses for the lights, one by one. Pulled the high beam fuses and they stayed on! Then pulled the low beams and as well they stayed on. WTF is going on here?

I pulled the #1-4 fuses in the #2 fusebox in the trunk, and on my wiring diagram this should be the power to the high and low beam lights. Have never seen anything like this and wondering if something is screwy with the lighting switch with the "high/low" switch with the turn signals.

Anyone ever have anything like this happen? Suggestions?

Thx,

Joe A

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Have you have added relays to help on the stalk? If so, you may have a cross connection....

Joeaksa · 10-03-2011, 08:00 AM

Mike, no extra relays... yet. That was the next project so I can go with 100w bulbs, am using H-1 lights on the puppy.

"86" thats a lot easier to read than the cover of the fusebox! Let me head back out to the garage and make sure I was pulling the right ones. It does seem strange.

Now, next question. Lets assume that I fukked up and pulled the wrong fuses and the lights do go out as commanded when pulling the right fuses. What would keep the high beams on all the time? Something stuck in the switch with the turn signals?

Thx,

Joe

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

The stalk is always an issue. Been too long from my replacement to remember how to test.

86 911 Targa · 10-03-2011, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Mike, no extra relays... yet. That was the next project so I can go with 100w bulbs, am using H-1 lights on the puppy.

"86" thats a lot easier to read than the cover of the fusebox! Let me head back out to the garage and make sure I was pulling the right ones. It does seem strange.

Now, next question. Lets assume that I fukked up and pulled the wrong fuses and the lights do go out as commanded when pulling the right fuses. What would keep the high beams on all the time? Something stuck in the switch with the turn signals?

Thx,

Joe

Are we correct in assuming that the lights worked in the past?

And there was no electrical work done on your lighting system?

Gerry

chuckr · 10-03-2011, 08:14 AM

I just had similar symptoms with no high beam or fog lights... it was the stalk. you should be able to look at the contacts in the stalk switch to see if any are fused, I had three contacts fused.

Joeaksa · 10-03-2011, 08:22 AM

Gerry,

Major mods done to the car in the last years but none in this area. Entire front end removed from a "large bumper" car and a 1972 front nose section grafted on. The car now looks like a 1973 RS and its not makeshift bodywork, its 100% original old style bodywork. That said, the wiring harnesses do not totally match in this area but are not far apart. The headlights are fairly straight forward, turn signals and running lights more work.

Lights did work fine in the past but when this was started I remember having some occasional issues with the "hi/lo" switch on the stalk and like Chuck mentions, something may be fused in there. Luckily I have a a couple of extra switches that I can swap out, but as I remember it, its not a quick or easy swap.

Good ideas guys, thanks!

86 911 Targa · 10-03-2011, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Gerry,

Major mods done to the car in the last years but none in this area. Entire front end removed from a "large bumper" car and a 1972 front nose section grafted on. The car now looks like a 1973 RS and its not makeshift bodywork, its 100% original old style bodywork. That said, the wiring harnesses do not totally match in this area but are not far apart. The headlights are fairly straight forward, turn signals and running lights more work.

Lights did work fine in the past but when this was started I remember having some occasional issues with the "hi/lo" switch on the stalk and like Chuck mentions, something may be fused in there. Luckily I have a a couple of extra switches that I can swap out, but as I remember it, its not a quick or easy swap.

Good ideas guys, thanks!

Did you pull the fuses?

Joeaksa · 10-03-2011, 08:46 AM

Not yet, heading down in a bit. Too damm many emails and such on a Monday morning!

Back in a bit...

Barrpete · 10-03-2011, 09:07 AM

That's a fairly common problem with the high beam switch. Check this thread:

turn signal switch quick fix pictures

Joeaksa · 10-03-2011, 10:28 AM

Ok, just back from the garage and the fuses are indeed controlling the power to the lights. Standing overhead reading the back of the fuse cover and having old eyes does not help this! Thanks Gerry!

Ok, now to forge ahead with the turn signal switch. Good news is that I have a spare!

Thanks everyone!

Joe A

86 911 Targa · 10-03-2011, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Ok, just back from the garage and the fuses are indeed controlling the power to the lights. Standing overhead reading the back of the fuse cover and having old eyes does not help this! Thanks Gerry!

Ok, now to forge ahead with the turn signal switch. Good news is that I have a spare!

Thanks everyone!

Joe A

So, when you pull the fuses, you lose the lights. Right?

MysticLlama · 10-03-2011, 11:49 AM

I just did mine recently for a similar problem. Was actually flashing the lights over bumps and when signaling, and on high it'd turn on both sets.

The switch didn't have to be replaced, it just needed the contact arms bent a little to create some more space in between them. Works great now.

There are a few threads on what it should look like.

Joeaksa · 10-03-2011, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86 911 Targa

So, when you pull the fuses, you lose the lights. Right?

Yes, the low beams go on and off when the fuses are removed. I could not test the high beams as I took the wire off of the connector on each headlight so I could drive it at night.

Otherwise I was blinding everyone.. these H-1's really put out the light!

vash · vash's Garage

i had the same issue.

i had to change the stalk. easy, almost plug and go. but i do remember having to perform some serious yoga moves to get the work done.

nameste!

86 911 Targa · 10-03-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeaksa

Yes, the low beams go on and off when the fuses are removed. I could not test the high beams as I took the wire off of the connector on each headlight so I could drive it at night.

Otherwise I was blinding everyone.. these H-1's really put out the light!

I think you are down to replacing/adjusting the stalk.