no low beans, DRL work instead

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58mark

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96 sunfire, the DRLs are on instead of the headlights, and I can turn on the brights by holding the switch, but they won't lock to stay on.

any thoughts?

This started happening within a couple days of me changing out the headlight casings. I suspect I disrupted something in the wiring harness. I hear they are prone to corrosion.
 
58mark said:
96 sunfire, the DRLs are on instead of the headlights, and I can turn on the brights by holding the switch, but they won't lock to stay on.

any thoughts?

This started happening within a couple days of me changing out the headlight casings. I suspect I disrupted something in the wiring harness. I hear they are prone to corrosion.
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I have pretty much the same problem on my 98 2.4L. Although the headlights do come on randomly whenever they feel like it and the brights lock on on mine. I'm pretty sure it is a wiring problem but I'm to lazy to trace the wires.
 
yeah, it was the switch.

Don't let anybody tell you that you have to take the steering wheel off to change the switch. you do NOT. I took mine off, then took one off a backup car that I have, and then installed the working switch in my first car all in less than 10 minutes
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58mark said:
yeah, it was the switch.

Don't let anybody tell you that you have to take the steering wheel off to change the switch. you do NOT. I took mine off, then took one off a backup car that I have, and then installed the working switch in my first car all in less than 10 minutes
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So, you just remove the trim plates that goes around the steering wheel while the steering wheel is still on?
 
yep! it's seriously that easy.

I used a thick piece of posterboard to hold in the spring mounted horn contact to slide it into it's hole. I guess that little thing has to be the only reason why people think you have to remove the wheel.

I also used a screwdriver to get the wiring harness off the switch
 
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it's funny if you watch this video, he removes the steering wheel, but if you rad the comments, the guy says he now knows he does NOT need to remove the wheel.

they much have a different person replying to comments now, because they are going back to telling people you have to remove the wheel.

I got the switch off with a 7mm socket, and a 7mm wrench. you will need a pair of pliers to twist off the cruise control stalk if your car has one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUjOumBkISo
 
58mark said:
it's funny if you watch this video, he removes the steering wheel, but if you rad the comments, the guy says he now knows he does NOT need to remove the wheel.

they much have a different person replying to comments now, because they are going back to telling people you have to remove the wheel.

I got the switch off with a 7mm socket, and a 7mm wrench. you will need a pair of pliers to twist off the cruise control stalk if your car has one

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUjOumBkISo
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That's actually the same video that I watched.

I did the same thing on my old Hyundai, except it was the switch that controlled the wipers, so I know how easy it is. I called the junk yard to get a quote on how much they sell the switches for, they want 30 which is stupid cause I can get a brand new one on eBay for just under 30 with free shipping.
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Haven't gotten around to replacing my switch yet but tonight it started doing exactly what you originally said. DRL's are on instead of my headlights and gotta pull the lever and keep it pulled in order for the brights to work.
 
58mark said:
Good luck! Hope thats all it is
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Thanks.

Just installed the new switch. I don't have cruise control so I didn't need pliers, all I used was a torx bit screwdrier for the two screws on the switch itself and the 3 screws holding the plate on that goes around the steering wheel. And a flathead screwdriver for the wiring harness, which I had a blonde moment when it came down to the wiring harness.

And I think the reason why the guy on the video pulled the steering wheel, was to get access to the bottom screw on the switch. But instead of all that, all I needed to do was unhook the battery, unscrew the plate surrounding the steering wheel, unscrew the top screw on the switch, then turn the steering wheel 90 degrees to the right so I could gain access to the bottom screw.

The part that took the longest was taking off the intake hose and disconnecting the battery. I literally had the old switch off and the new one on in a couple minutes. Now I can use my headlights at night instead of using the stupid DRL's, which do come in handy whenever your headlights decide not to work.
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I just used a 7mm wrench to get to the bottom screw.

glad you are back in business!
 
58mark said:
I just used a 7mm wrench to get to the bottom screw.

glad you are back in business!
Click to expand...

To get to the bottom I was about to use one too, with my flexible socket but then I figured out that I could turn the steering wheel and have better access to it.
 
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