Headlight issue...

[JDWX]

First off, Newb here, and want to say hello and comment on a great forum. Thanks for all the onfo I've picked up already

Issue:

1997 Yukon 5.7 4dr.

High beams work normally, but low beams stopped working a while back. When they first stopped, moving the tilt wheel would make them flash on for a second, then that eventually stopped working as well.

The truck has the always on daytime headlights feature. I currently drive it with the headlight switch in the middle "running/parking light position" so I at least have "some" headlights THAT works. So, the lights themselves are fine. I believe they seem dimmer than the regular setting used to be tho.

But, when I turn the headlight switch to the normal "headlight on" position, the lights go out. Again, high beams do work in that position.

Possibly something to do with the high beam/turn signal switch? I checked the wiring in the column and no chaffing or shorts/opens that I could find.

Anyone seen this before?

On a side note, last night, the truck decided not to start and has no spark, I don't hear the fuel pump is running either (although it's a 1 yr old GM unit). Was running just fine, but before I shut it off, I was showing a friend the headlight issue and was moving the tilt wheel up and down to see if the lights would flicker. Went in the house, and when I came out, it wouldn't start... haha... Not sure it's related or not.

Any thoughts or input?

Thanks!

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

not sure if this will fit your case or not, but pull the headlight switch out of the dash and see if you have any browned/burnt wires. its been brought up several times on here. if they are, cut out that burnt section of wire and replace it.

 

[JDWX]

Thank you, I'll check that. I did a search here and didn't see much, but my Search Fu skills may have been off a bit

I'd heard of this issue before in google searches and heard of people swapping headlight switches / turn signal hibeam switches and no fix, so I am happy to hear any thoughts like that before I start swapping stuff, thank you

Did seem tilt related tho, but who knows.

 

[96ProCompTahoe]

you can pull the column apart and track all the headlight wires, and inspect the contacts on the switch.

probably dumb Q, but did you check all related fuses and relays?

another stupid Q but did you make sure it has the correct headlights in it and that they are still good on both functions?

 

[JDWX]

This started a year ago, and I went through colum wires then, they seemed intact. Relays and fuses check good. Headlamps are the Sylvania Silverstars and do work in other positions as mentioned (just not when you actually turn them on! haha).

Was sorta not wanting to "totally" tear down the column, as I was afraid of messing up the airbag stuff and seemed to remember that I might need a particular tool to get it all apart. And the signal switch is a fair dollar.

I'll probably end up swapping the switch, but was hoping I might find a magik bullet that someone knows. I'll be bummed to swap it and still have the issue, haha...

Thanks for taking time to contemplate this. I do appreciate it.

 

[JP422]

well... have you had the no start issue recently?

I've had that too... very random.. and kinda rare... but it happened a couple times...
One time I pulled around the back of our warehouse to load some items... it was windy, and no rain. I pulled up.. shut the engine off and loaded the cargo. Then when I got back in and tried to start... nothing... just quiet. Dash lights turned on... but no starter cranking... The truck was warmed up, but not "hot". No humidity. Very strange. Battery was new too. Anyway, after about 5-10 mins.. and wiggling of some wires under the hood... it fired up again and ran perfect as if nothing happened.


Then a few weeks ago... I had a blowout on the freeway... in the rain... (damn BFG A/T) anyway... I got off the freeway ok using the Auto 4wd mode. I put on the spare and was driving home slowly and stopped by a gas station to air up the spare. There was light rain, but after cheking all the air pressures, the engine would crank strong, but the engine would not start. Very strange. It was running perfect just a few minutes before. Sure enough, after 5-10 mins and a checking a few wire looms under the hood, the truck fired up perfect as if nothing was wrong. It is still driving well, and fires up instantly right now... but it just bugs me that there are these randome possible "no starts" that could happen. I wish I knew why it occurred, so I can fix them.
Anyone else know of this.. or have fix this? It happens far apart in time where once you forgot about this.. it happens again.

I'm w/ JDWX on this looking for a "magic bullet"

 

[JDWX]

No, never had the no start before with this vehicle. After playing with it in the garage over the weekend, it turns the no start (it did crank, just "seemed" that the spark appeared weak), was the 3 yr old OEM Delco sourced fuel pump went south. AGAIN... Just a coincidence that I was tooling with the column i guess prior to the issue.

My nitrous assisted Mustang did the no start thing recently while out on a Friday night as well, and I'm still apprehensive about driving it. No idea what happened and waiting for the other shoe to drop I guess. It will probably wait till I'm in BF egypt with a date of course.

Still working on the headlight issue tho... Hate to throw a 200 some dollar multifunction switch at it. But, it seems to be the likely, or at least logical source. You know how logic goes with cars tho....

 

[JP422]

I haven't taken a look at my HL switch yet.. but you think it's something that can be taken apart and cleaned or fixed?

 

[JDWX]

Are you contemplating the headlight switch in regards to your no start? Unlikely that would be it.

If you have a no crank issue,w/no solenoid clicking, then I'd look to the solenoid, starter relay under the hood in the relay pak, starter switch on the column and associated wiring (especially if you feel wiggling the wires under the hood altered it).

 

[JP422]

oh... haha.. naw.. my comment about the HL switch is because I have intermittent dash light fliker that is fixed when I toggle the HL switch... which I guess is actually a different problem than what you have.

Anyway... good luck and post whatever you find! It seems we're all gonna get that issue eventually...

 

[JDWX]

Yeah, just saw that in the other thread.

Actually, that does sound like the HL switch. I'm thinking it's pretty easy to swap, and not that expensive.