4 headlight illumination

D

deadbugdug

Registered
Ok, the headlights suck. We know this. I thought of a partial fix to the problem, but I'm not sure how to approach it.

From the factory, our cars have 2 headlights that light as "dims", and when you go to brights, the other 2 headlights light (not like the days of yore when "brights" meant all 4 headlights illuminate at the same time).

I've seen in JC Whitney et. al. where you can buy a gizz-whizzer that will allow your newer GM vehicle to have all 4 headlights come on for "brights" (factory GM setup is like ours -- 2 & 2).

I'm sick and tired of the GM folks getting all the neat stuff, but I suppose whining about it won't get me 4 "brights", so...

Have any of you been able to successfully rewire the headlights for 4 brights?

Before you ask me why I don't do it myself, let me tell you a story. I thought it would be cool if my cornering lamps illuminated constantly with parking/headlights. To quoth Tim Allen: "So I rewired it!" I spliced the cornering lamps in with my parking lights, and let me tell you, being able to see side-to-side as well as (well, as well as we can with this sorry-butt headlight setup) frontal is in itself an improvement. This setup was all well and good, until a few days later when Poof! (or "FOON" for all you Mad Magazine fans) I lost every dang light in the car except the headlights!!!! No dash and no tail lights, but my headlights stayed on. Found the fuse, changed it, and all worked well.........for about 14 seconds, then FOON! So I pulled the cornering lamp bulbs, didn't blow any more fuses, and have been too lazy to either un-wire or run new wires so I can go back to "full frontal illumination."

Now, can any of you help out a fellow American who's down on his luck?
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

I haven't tried but I cant imagine its too hard. should be as simple as bridging the lamps together
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

Ok, I may develope the goneys to bridge the lamps together.....you DID read the latter part of my post, correct????

Plus, without giving much thought to it, I'd probably have to include diodes so I don't backfeed and have 4 lamp operation all the time, dim or brights mode.....

And I'm fighting the urge to blow big bucks (which I don't have) on HID's. The new Sylvania Silver Star (or whatever they're called) looks like the option now, although I'd still like 4 headlights simultaneously. Now, can you imagine both cornering lamps at the same time? Bet it'd look like an early 90's Sable...
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

I thought I heard Geno say something that HIDs werent that big of an imrpovement. ???
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

Come to Carlisle Shawn and I'll let you drive the Saxmobile at night... you can see for yourself...

-Joe
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

4 headlight illumination is possible. This modification was done by Abel, our LOD member in Germany. The article was in one of the LOD newsletters a few years back. I will see if I can find it to post it.

Alexander
President
Lincolns of Distinction
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

just a thought..
but why would you need to bridge the terminals 13 and 15 IN the multifunction switch? couldnt you just tap the 13 and 15 wires and connect them outside of the switch? that would be easier i think, but there is probably a flaw in my logic..
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

That is exactly what I did. The switch connector looked too intricate for my big clumsy fingers and I could not see any difference either so I went for it. It works good and it's quick and easy.
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

cool

so your lows are still your lows, but your high beams are a combinaton of highs and lows by doing that? just making sure tahts what is happening before i try it.. (assuming a 2nd gen is the same multifunction switch)
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

"so your lows are still your lows, but your high beams are a combinaton of highs and lows by doing that?"

Correct

I unraveled the harness a couple inches from the connector and shaved about 1/2" of the insulation from the two wires. I used some needle nose to twist a stripped length of wire around the two wires to join them and taped it up real tight and re-taped the harness back up. No solder for me.
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

'Too drunk' to drive Ray? That sounds like a challenge to me... :D

-Joe
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

Do not let anyone tell you that the HID's are not a big improvement. THey are literally a night and day difference. I personally think that it is a good 700$ improvement.
I know it was money well spent for me; if i had not have had those HID's I would have hit many antelopes, which would have caused a lot more than 700$ worth of damage.
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

(maybe I shouldn't spend soo much time away from the site!!!!)

Thanks to all for your input, and for the article!!!! I still need to invest in HID's, but this is an excellent start.

Thanks again!!!
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

Do not let anyone tell you that the HID's are not a big improvement. THey are literally a night and day difference. I personally think that it is a good 700$ improvement.
I know it was money well spent for me; if i had not have had those HID's I would have hit many antelopes, which would have caused a lot more than 700$ worth of damage.
Click to expand...


I definately agree with this, after all the customers that I have sold HIDs to, NONE of them would ever go back to stock.

--Don
 
RE: 4 headlight illumination

I am jumping on the band wagon late, but I am trying to get some HIDs to replace the destroyed right halogen.

I attribute hitting a dog last weekend directly to insufficient light. Looking at parts I am about about $1500... So, I could have spent $1000 for HIDS before this happened, or $1500 after, and have to do a ton of work to straighten out the front end of my car.

If you live anywhere with kids or wildlife, and you drive at night, well, you do the math.

Thanks for the help with the wiring and the link to the web site.

Scott
 
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