99 Cavalier DRL/highbeam problems
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Lights, Neon, LEDs, HIDs
Forum Discription: Under Car Lighting, Strobe Lights, Fog Lights, Headlights, HIDs, DRL, Tail Lights, Brake Lights, Dashboard Lights, WigWag, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=42074
Printed Date: July 12, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Topic: 99 Cavalier DRL/highbeam problems
Posted By: joezkool
Subject: 99 Cavalier DRL/highbeam problems
Date Posted: November 01, 2004 at 10:03 PM
Ok, My wife came home yesterday saying the daytime running lights (DRL) indicator on the dash was flashing. I did some research, and found that it meant possibly a burnt out highbeam lamp, or a bad DRL relay. I got a new lamp. No dice. Got a new relay. No dice. So what does work? Well, the daytime running lights will not come on, and the driver's side highbeam will also not come on. The lowbeams work fine. All fuses are good. When I turn on the highbeam switch, there is 11.87 volts at the plug for the highbeam that does not work. There is 12.15 volts at the side that DOES work. I swapped lamps, and its still the same. I just cannot get the dirver's side highbeam to work, nor the drl's. Has anyone has this problem before? Am I missing some diode or another relay somewhere? I assume there is some other relay, because both drl's don't work, where I can still get the passenger side highbeam to work. I checked power at the relay sockets too, and it seems ok, although I am a little confused as to how it actually works. Can someone please enlighten me on this situation? I appreciate your time, and thank you in advance. Joe
Replies:
Posted By: hurtado_roberto
Date Posted: November 02, 2004 at 10:47 AM
How many connections does the plug have? Did you test all the plugs to see if they had the same voltage or ground? I really don't have much experience with headlights but that's what I suggest. eventhough there is a slight voltage difference I think it should work. There must be a loose connection somewere. You cheked the fuse and relay for the lights right. I think there's a separete fuse for each light on some cars.
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Poly Dollies
Posted By: stevent
Date Posted: November 02, 2004 at 11:12 AM
I have an 01 cavlier and mine did the same thing (headlight burnt out). All i did was change the headlight and it stopped.
Posted By: joezkool
Date Posted: November 02, 2004 at 1:05 PM
The normal headlights work, and I changed the bulb but no luck. Even if I take the workin lamp from the side that does work and put it in the side that does not work, no luck. Its almost like when the socket has a lightbulb in it, it malfunctions, but has voltage when there is NO bulb in it. The lowbeams and highbeams are seperate bulbs, so there is only 2 wires going to it. From what I gather, the drl relay puts the highbeams in series to reduce the output, and maybe there is something damaged between the 2 lamps. I tried all of the obvious stuff, like fuses, relays, bulbs, and such. There must be something wrong other then those things. Hopefully, someone out there knows what might be going on. I didn't think there was any diodes or other relays involved, but maybe there is. Anybody have any ideas?? Joe
Posted By: IMAGE6902
Date Posted: November 05, 2004 at 4:15 PM
Don't have very much time, but thought this may help you... i had a 99 sunfire that came in with only one headlight working and when you remove the ds headlight lens, follow the harness back to where the wires split off to the ps lens and you will find when you peel back the tape/loom a corroded wiring connection that usually will cause a voltage drop. repair corroded connections; solder don't use butt connectors, and you should be ok. hope this helps ------------- I tell it like it is...
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