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Cadillac Repair/1991 Sdn Deville hi-lo beam switch
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Question
Can't get hi beams to come on, don't hear normal click when using switch. I assume switch is bad and I don't know how to replace it, can you provide some guidance?
Hello Larry,
This is sort of an easy repair depending on your mechanical ability.
It sounds like the dimmer switch is shot.
Go to a parts store and obtain a dimmer switch.
It is located under the dash on the left side of the steering column.
You will need to remove the lower dash panel under the steering column. Then you need to remove the 4 10mm head bolts from the steel knee bolster. You may need to need to remove some a/c plastic venting too, but no big deal. Just look for attaching screws. With your head under the dash, you should see the dimmer switch attached to the steering column with two screws. One has a stud and a nut. The other is just a screw. Do not remove the switch held on by the stud! That is the electrical ignition switch!
The harness is three wire that plugs into the dimmer. To remove the dimmer switch connector squeeze the two tabs and pull.
Before you remove the dimmer switch, tape the rod running down the steering column to the steering column. Remove the nut and screw. Remove the dimmer switch. Replace,lining up the rod and inserting into the center hole on the new dimmer. install screw and nut, but do not tighten tight. Lower tilt to center position. Put your hand on dimmer switch and put slight upward pressure. Hold in place while pushing on dimmer/wiper lever to actuate high/ low beams. You should feel the click and move the switch till the lever actuates correctly. Tighten the screw and nut. Sit in the seat and test your work. Tilt the column up and down. Try in all tilt positions. If everything works mechanically, go under the dash again and plug connector in. Turn headlights on and check low beam and then high beam.
Reinstall dash components. With no experience and simple hand tools, should take less than an hour and then you get the pride of doing the job yourself!
If you have a problem please feel free to contact me at my website contact http://www.autotheftexpert.com
Rob
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Rob, Thank-you so much! Your information is exactly what I need to tackle this. This has been broke for some time and now will not pass inspection. I was told I had to take the steering column apart to make this repair. I'm fairly mechanically adept but, has some hesitance about take the column apart. I'll let you know h9ow it went after the job is done. Larry | ||
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Rob Painter
Expertise
Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?
Experience
Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.
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