High Beams Indicate on Dash when Low Beams on?

Stereo, security systems, vehicle electronics, and electrical-related discussions
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msmyer
Posts: 1229
Joined: Mon May 13, 2002 12:00 pm

High Beams Indicate on Dash when Low Beams on?

Post by msmyer »

Long time Member (2002 member on an 2003 Vibe)

My high beam indicator on the dash lights up when the low beams are on. Gets BRIGHTER when the high beams are one...the lights work fine!
‘03 Vibe with 317k and still going.............................

Other Mods: Sony X-Plod Headunit & Reflective White GVC decalMy Car at Cardomain.com... http://www.cardomain.com/id/msmyer
beemerphile1
Posts: 505
Joined: Tue Jul 14, 2009 12:12 am
Location: NE Ohio

Re: High Beams Indicate on Dash when Low Beams on?

Post by beemerphile1 »

Just a WAG that it is a bad ground. The headlamps are seeking a ground anywhere it can be found and the headlamps found it through the indicator lamp.
NE Ohio - home to the most successful Pontiac drag racing team in history - Bill Knafel's "Tin Indian" and also home to Summit Auto Racing.
2009 Vibe base 1.8L auto towing 2009 Aliner Sport hardsided pop-up
msmyer
Posts: 1229
Joined: Mon May 13, 2002 12:00 pm

Re: High Beams Indicate on Dash when Low Beams on?

Post by msmyer »

beemerphile1 wrote:Just a WAG that it is a bad ground. The headlamps are seeking a ground anywhere it can be found and the headlamps found it through the indicator lamp.
Thanks! How do I fix it? Should I mess with it?
‘03 Vibe with 317k and still going.............................

Other Mods: Sony X-Plod Headunit & Reflective White GVC decalMy Car at Cardomain.com... http://www.cardomain.com/id/msmyer
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joatmon
Posts: 10018
Joined: Fri Mar 21, 2003 5:19 am
Location: SMC MD

Re: High Beams Indicate on Dash when Low Beams on?

Post by joatmon »

I only have the matrix wiring diagram, having lost my Vibe service manual somehow. I know there is at least a minor difference between the Matrix and Vibe headlight wiring, in that the Vibe has a single headlight fuse, the Matrix has left and right headlight fuses. That being said, the matrix wiring diagram shows that the high beam indicator in the instrument cluster has one side connected to a ground, the other side of the indicator light is tied to the plus side of the right high beam. I can't really tell from the wiring diagram if the ground for the high beam indicator is a common ground used for other things in the cluster, or a dedicated ground just for that indicator.

Might it be possible that one of your headlight bulbs is failing, perhaps a bit of filament from the low beam side contacting the high beam filament, thereby putting some reduced voltage on the high beam filament and partially illuminating the light? I don't know if its possible or probable, but it would be a relatively straightforward thing to test, by disconnecting one of the headlight bulbs to see if the problem goes away, and if not, hook it back up and disconnect the other headlight bulb. If not, perhaps use a meter to see if there is any voltage on the high beam side when the low beams are on.

Good to see you're still vibing, you were one of the very first to join
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