high and low beam both on

[stegomon]

both high and low beam are on.....the light are acting just like that the toggle switch is on when you pull it all the way back?? checked my fuses and both were burnt out....replaced them and the fuses stayed put....but the damn thing is still acting like i have the toggle switch all the way back

does any one have a wire scematic for the lights? also how does the low beam become dimmer than the high beam...is there a resistor

 

[Mark_88]

Not sure if this is relevant, but I recently noticed that my high beam indicator stayed on when I pulled the switch back...turned out that my passenger side low beam was burned out...when I replaced the lamp all was well...

In your case, having the fuses blow could mean you have a short somewhere in the circuit...what year vehicle is giving you the problem? I know the 87 would have a similar wiring configuration as my 88 and that is pretty simple...just a single six wire connector to all the lights from the connector by the main wire harness...

I've got a schematic for the lighting on a 80's-92 Ranger in the Haynes manual and can scan it if you really need it...but I would just go through the wire connections if possible and look for a loose wire...or maybe check that the ground wires are connected properly on the front clip by the rad support...there are two or three of them there...

 

[stegomon]

it is a 97

 

[pillen140]

same thing happed to me, no short, just replace both bulbs and fuses. 6 months ago, no problems

 

[stegomon]

so if one bulb is blown out that might couse the problem?

 

[pocket-rocket]

also how does the low beam become dimmer than the high beam...is there a resistor

No resistor. The low beam filament is a lower wattage then the high beam. It's like screwing in a 35w light bulb in your lamp instead of a 55w, which are the actual watt rating on stock headlights, IIRC.

 

[stegomon]

ok so this is going to be somthing easy and stupid...change fuses and plug in both head lights is what i will try next

 

[martin]

Sounds like the dimmer switch has gone foul.

 

[stegomon]

got the damn thing solved...it was the driver side head lamp socket....wired one in from a old sable laying around the yard....thanks every one for help and hints

 

[Mark_88]

Good stuff! Always is something simple...well, almost always...thanks for the update...

 

[stegomon]

well after 4 hours of looking and digging and having half of my dash in the bed of the truck...glad that i found it...and it was my girl friend that figured it out....go figure