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dim lights not working, bright lights ok

M

madmex2k

New member
I have an 06 GP on which I recently had an issue with my normal driving lights not working, but my bright lights still work, as well as the fog lamps.
I have even taken it to the local Pontiac dealer with no results. We switched out a couple of relays, I have checked fuses, but still not sure what to look for.
I have to say, they randomly started working again after the 1st time this happened. Now they don't seem to want to work at all. Any help, PLEASE??
 


Well, intermittent problems can be very hard to find. The first thing I would do is take out one of your headlights and hook up a voltmeter to the low beam connections. I would expect to see some where between 12-14 VDC. If you get a lower voltage make sure your light sensor in the dash is covered.

Before I get to deep in this, is your car completely stock? Because if you have done anything to it you better speak up now:th_bangheadonwall: Many people neglect to mention mods, because they don’t think they are related to their problem. Did you buy the car new? If not, any sign some one else mod’ed the car? I ask these questions because I had a car years ago with headlight issues, and the cause was a security system that had been ripped out the car by some idiot. Also, has something else weird happened to your car, like get doused down with water?
 
bulbs were the obvious the obvious 1st thing to check...not to sound like I am down-talking you, I do know some people who would not check the obvious.
 
I bought it in 07, used from Enterprise Car Sales, it was a very low mileage GP(29k) former rental in very good mechanical and aesthetic condition. It is stock V6, now hitting about 60k miles.
The Pontiac Dealer check consisted of a parts counter guy swapping 2 of my relays to see if one might be burned out. I figued if he was just going to guess, I shouldn't leave it and get charged for more guess work.
I bought a Haynes manual, makes a good coaster, I learned more from the diagram on the inside of the relay panel.
I just don't want to throw good money at it and see what works, no one I know can afford that anymore, especially me.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
 
i wasnt trying to insult ur intelligence... had to throw it out there.. u would be surprised at some of the problems and fixes i have seen on this forum.
 


madmex2k said:
ok, I got about 12.5 vdc on test.
Click to expand...

Lol I didn’t expect that, that is exactly what it should read IMO.:confused:

I have time today, I’ll poke around my car and see what I can see. I have a couple ideas on what it could be, I’ll get back to you soon.
 
Well, I did take a peek at my car since yours should be identical.
And I have a couple ideas.:th_lightbulb:

#1 Check your turn signal bulb, make sure it is still good/working. I noticed there is kind of a shared ground from the low beams. Since you have voltage to the light, it almost has to be ground related. So check all the ground wires while you at it. Just for fun check the resistance from the negative low beam connection to the negative battery post, I would estimate this should read about 0.001 - 0.003 ohms.

#2 There is a multi-connector right next to the bulb. Undo that connection and clean it with contact cleaner. There might be water trapped in it or a high resistance connection.

If you still can’t get them to work, get back to me. I’ll go into it one more level.
　
 
What a coincidence that I'd find a post with the same exact problem we just discovered on my wife's 2006 GP GT. Driving along just fine and the headlights cut out. The dash lights still work; the driving lights work; and the high beams work. Tried shutting the car off and restarting. Also tried moving everything on the steering column to see if there might be a short somewhere, but no change. I figured I'd pop the hood and take a look around as soon as I got home. Pulled the car into the driveway and the lights went back on.

If I didn't know better, I'd swear this car was a teenager with a mind of her own! Have you had any luck figuring out what was causing your problem? I'd bet my problem is the very same one. This car is stock; no mods, and it's extremely clean. All side lights, turn indicators, etc. are working.

Thanks in advance. -John-
 
PROBLEM SOLVED: dim lights not working, bright lights ok

Problem turned out to be the low beam relay (15016745) in the fuse box under the hood. After I found the part number on the internet, I did a Google search and turned up several instances of my problem described perfectly. Didn't want to wait until morning for a GM dealer, so I got a Duralast replacement part at Auto Zone (20301) for $40. Thanks for your suggestions.

John
Birmingham, AL
'06 Grand Prix GT
 


After taking my to the dealer and them swapping out two equivalent relays, which was the wrong one to begin with, I took BHMJohn's note to task and tried the relay he swapped out(15016745). Lo and behold it worked. I went to a local used GM parts dealer(: : : : G & R Auto Parts : : : :) and he gave it to me for free, there by making me a lifelong return customer for most anything I need for my car. Thanks to you guys for all your help. I certainly appreciate it.Now to tackle my other issues with this car.
 
I got kinda the same problem on the 03. The dims are brighter then the brights and I have put brighter bulbs in and adjusted the headlights thinking it will help. And nothing is working. Any tips would be a big help. Wont my girlfriend to be able to see better at night..
 
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