At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.
- If you need clarification, ask it in the comment box above.
- Better answers use proper spelling and grammar.
- Provide details, support with references or personal experience.
Tell us some more! Your answer needs to include more details to help people.You can't post answers that contain an email address.Please enter a valid email address.The email address entered is already associated to an account.Login to postPlease use English characters only.
Tip: The max point reward for answering a question is 15.
Make sure all bulbs are working. All blinkers, tail lights, brake lights etc. I know you mentioned most of these lights work, however it only takes one light to throw off several others. Trace wiring from each as far as possible to locate a possible break in the wiring (shorts). Also, check the headlights and make sure they are plugged in all the way (even tho they work). Also check all relays. One dirty connection can cause all sorts of problems. Jeeps also are known for their poor wiring and common electrical issues.
Don't waste your time looking for a headlamp relay. You will not find one. 1983 Monte Carlo does not use a headlamp relay. Your problem is most likely a defective headlamp dimmer switch. It is located about halfway down the upper left side of the steering column. It is secured by the same screws that mount the ignition switch. It is activated by a metal rod that pushes down on it when you pull back on your turn signal lever. It looks like the picture below.
The relay has nothing to do with the tail lights, but replacing the switch sounds like a good idea. There's a nut holding it in place, see http://www.skandix.de/en/spare-parts/electrics/switches/switch-headlight/1027524/ to get an idea of the construction. And the price. This is not worth fiddling about unreliable workarounds... In addition, if fuses 15 and/or 16 burn frequently there might be a problem with the tail light cabling.
Turn the knob by the head light switch your tail lights work off the headlight switch not when the day time running lights are on only when you turn your headlights on
you need a head light switch. buy from carquest (significantly less expensive then dealership). remove knobs (small insert on pull knob press in with a small flathead while pulling towards you, twilight knob pops right off)
take off the cover plate over steering wheel (pop out with flat head screwdriver)
then cover over instruments (small torx bit 5 screws, 2 hidden by previously removed cover).
if this has the pullout knob you will most likely have to replace the knob.
this is done by firmly pulling on it till it comes free from the dashboard.the switch will have a piece of metal out fromt he back of the knob, this has a few small grooves on it. You may find a replacement at any parts store. most are generic for the make of cars. ie GM or Ford .....
Please try this before you try to rewire your headlights as this happened to me many time with vehicles I had in my teens. even though tails lights worked the headlights did not work for me either. gotta love the older vehicles they made ya think about what was wrong with them . now they just get replaced.
best of luck with your Trans Am
Roty:)
×