85 gsl-se combo switch problem
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Garland,Tx
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
85 gsl-se combo switch problem
Hello everyone, i'm new to your forum but expect ya'll probably can help with some tech info..i have headlight problem, low beams work but are dim..high beams don't work at all and someone told me it was the combo switch..does this sound right. Also i ordered a new master air flow sensor, is it difficult to change out and anything i should be aware of while doing it?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Central New York
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You're sure the low beams aren't as bright as they should be?
I don't know why a combo switch would cause that, but it could definitely cause the high beams to not work....
Welcome to the forum!
I don't know why a combo switch would cause that, but it could definitely cause the high beams to not work....
Welcome to the forum!
#3
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Garland,Tx
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yes low beams are very dim..wipers work, dash lights work too..just no high beams..i've only been able to find a combo switch from dealer..was thinking about trying a junk yard, is this a good idea?
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Central New York
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You probably could pull the whole combo-switch unit off of another car quite easily...
But you might want to look into why the low beams are dim first....
What voltage is showing on the display cluster?
But you might want to look into why the low beams are dim first....
What voltage is showing on the display cluster?
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Central New York
Posts: 686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If it's at 12 volts while the car is running then you should probably have your alternator and battery tested... Mine reads at about the 3/4 mark when the engine is running....
Lots of autoparts stores (AutoZone?, Advance?, PepBoys?) will test them for free for ya.
If it's 12 while the car is off then check it while the car's on
Lots of autoparts stores (AutoZone?, Advance?, PepBoys?) will test them for free for ya.
If it's 12 while the car is off then check it while the car's on
#7
Tennis, anyone
Yeah you can, Go to a junkyard, if you pull your own parts, look for cleanest doner car you can. Pull the steering wheel,remove the bezel around the steering colum,OH,the nut that holds the steering wheel on is the same size as the lug nuts...Under the combo switch is a clamp, one screw. un-plug all plugs and it's free.
Trending Topics
#10
EliteHardcoreCanuckSquad
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2,653
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Did ya check if the headlights are any good. Not that likely they would both go dim, but I've had both low beams go on me at the same time and thought I might have a major problem on my hands when all I had to do was throw in a new set of lights.
Start with the basics, otherwise the combo switch could use a cleaning (or change.)
Whatever is easier for you.
If you can't find one, let me know, as I have a spare in my garage.
Start with the basics, otherwise the combo switch could use a cleaning (or change.)
Whatever is easier for you.
If you can't find one, let me know, as I have a spare in my garage.
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Garland,Tx
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thanks for all the info..no I had not tried changing the headlights. I thought since dims worked and brights didn't it would be the switch. Some guy at automotive shop said it was the switch. I'll let ya know one way or the other what the problem is after this weekend.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My high beams weren't working (except when the switch was held back), and my low beams were intermittent, so today I cleaned the switch out and it all works perfectly..
WD-40 works wonders for this if you don't want to disassemble the whole thing
WD-40 works wonders for this if you don't want to disassemble the whole thing
#15
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Garland,Tx
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ok, some great things to try..I have the plastic column cover off the steering column and can see the combo switch..so how can you be more specific on how to clean this thing..do I just spray it and take a swab to the contacts? Also when I push the arm control to turn on the brights i don't even get the blue light on the dash board lit up anymore! so what ya think?
#18
Rotoholic Moderookie
iTrader: (4)
ouch... even I wouldn't pay 250 for it.. eew...
Yeah, those combo switches can be a bugger.... I need one to get my windshield washer fluid sprayer to work. I need that to work in order to pass safety, or I'd just wire a moment-switch directly to it and be done with it.
Jon
Yeah, those combo switches can be a bugger.... I need one to get my windshield washer fluid sprayer to work. I need that to work in order to pass safety, or I'd just wire a moment-switch directly to it and be done with it.
Jon
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2002
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well to be specific, all I did was remove the steering column shroud, disconnect the battery and spray the hell out of the combo switch..
I moved the switches around till it all dripped out (lots of grit and grime dripped out) and then when I reconnected the battery it worked perfectly
No need to buy a 250$ replacement
I moved the switches around till it all dripped out (lots of grit and grime dripped out) and then when I reconnected the battery it worked perfectly
No need to buy a 250$ replacement
#20
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Garland,Tx
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well now I have bigger problem..took the switch off and the insides of the grey metal case came out with it..couple little parts with a spring and can't seem to get it all back together. Sraped with cleaner on combo switch, that didn't help, replaced headlights and that didn't work...So now I have a mess of little parts that wont go back together. Guess that's what i get for trying to do it myself! Had some help from my son, but we are both amatuers.