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07-05-2008, 09:19 AM
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Location: Camp Hill, PA
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No High Beam
I just started a rescue of a 1990 Graduate. I am trying to get some lights working, specifically the driver's side high beam. I am also having trouble on the center high mounted brake light, trunk light and license plate light. But for now, I am working on the high beam.
That said, I have replaced fuse nos. 13 and 14 as well as installed a new Sylvania headlight. However, the high beam refuses to work. All ideas gladly welcomed. Please help.
Thanks in advance,
Joe
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1990 AR Spider Graduate
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07-05-2008, 10:55 AM
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Check the other side
If the other side is working, did you check to see if the old lamp is good or not. The problem would be in the connector for the lamp, after 20 plus years out there in the wet, heat and dirt it could be a corrosion problem with the connector.
Ray
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Ray Kiszely'84 Spider Veloce
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07-05-2008, 01:10 PM
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 Quote:
Originally Posted by RayKiszely
If the other side is working, did you check to see if the old lamp is good or not. The problem would be in the connector for the lamp, after 20 plus years out there in the wet, heat and dirt it could be a corrosion problem with the connector.
Ray
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I cleaned the ground wire connection using contact spray and high grit sand paper and I sprayed the three receptacles (or slots) on the connector and still no luck.
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1990 AR Spider Graduate
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07-05-2008, 04:52 PM
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No expert!
I am no expert on this, but I was looking at the wiring diagram for the headlamps and it appears that there is no relay involved, however it does seem that there is a connection between the headlamp and the side markers or turnsignals, althought that would not explain why the low beam will work and the high beam not work. There may be a cut in one of the wires. Man, I do not wish electrical problems on my worst enemies. Did you check the lamps with the pass. side connection to make sure that the bulbs are okay?
Ray 
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Ray Kiszely'84 Spider Veloce
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07-05-2008, 04:55 PM
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Trunk Light
Almost forgot. I think that the trunk light, and the engine compartment hood light only works when the headlight are on. (I know that sounds stupid, but it's what I've experienced with my '84 Veloce) The liscense plate light only works when the trunk lid is shut. That what those three male contacts do on the trunk lid edge.
Ray
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Ray Kiszely'84 Spider Veloce
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07-05-2008, 05:01 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RayKiszely
I am no expert on this, but I was looking at the wiring diagram for the headlamps and it appears that there is no relay involved, however it does seem that there is a connection between the headlamp and the side markers or turnsignals, althought that would not explain why the low beam will work and the high beam not work. There may be a cut in one of the wires. Man, I do not wish electrical problems on my worst enemies. Did you check the lamps with the pass. side connection to make sure that the bulbs are okay?
Ray |
No, I have not tried the passenger lamp on the driver's side yet. I will do this shortly. All the other exterior front lights work. I am about ready to try to drop the fusebox and start cleaning the contacts there.
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1990 AR Spider Graduate
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07-05-2008, 05:12 PM
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have you probed it with an volt meter? are you getting power to it? now also is a good time to put relays both on high and low beams.
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don't follow me,i'am lost 
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07-05-2008, 06:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bianchi1
have you probed it with an volt meter? are you getting power to it? now also is a good time to put relays both on high and low beams.
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bianchi1,
I have a multimeter, but I have only used it once to check for resistance. How would I go about it as a volt meter?
Once I get past this high beam issue, I will research the BB about relays before asking how that would work.
As Ray suggested, I moved the lamp with working high beam over from the passenger side to the driver's side and the high beam still does not work on the driver's side.
I really appreciate the help!
Joe
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1990 AR Spider Graduate
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07-05-2008, 07:03 PM
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Not to hijack the thread but what is the proper position of the stalk for highbeams, lever up or lever down?
Thanks
-RGK-
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-1974 Alfa Romeo Spider (still working on it)
-1980 Volkswagen Scirocco (Bone stock & original, 51K miles...)
-1987 Volkswagen Scirocco 16V (2.0L, Nothing stock or original)
-2003 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (Saves me money for the above)
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07-05-2008, 07:11 PM
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On the Volt meter change the dial to point to VDC (Volts DC). If the meter has more tahn one VDC selection choose 50 or less. If it's confusing take a picture of your volt meter and we'll walk you through it. With an Alfa a Volt meter is your best friend.
Turn the high beams on. Take the ground on the voltmeter a place it on the ground (car chasis) the black lead. Take the hot lead (usually red) and touch both sides of your fuse to make sure you have power to it. If you have it there your problem is further toward the headlight. No voltage at either side of the fuse the problem is closer to the high beam switch.
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Randall
86 Spider (Slick)
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07-05-2008, 07:11 PM
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Hey RGK,
On my 86 it is down.
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Randall
86 Spider (Slick)
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07-05-2008, 08:27 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flaatr
Not to hijack the thread but what is the proper position of the stalk for highbeams, lever up or lever down?
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07-05-2008, 09:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RandallM
On the Volt meter change the dial to point to VDC (Volts DC). If the meter has more tahn one VDC selection choose 50 or less. If it's confusing take a picture of your volt meter and we'll walk you through it. With an Alfa a Volt meter is your best friend.
Turn the high beams on. Take the ground on the voltmeter a place it on the ground (car chasis) the black lead. Take the hot lead (usually red) and touch both sides of your fuse to make sure you have power to it. If you have it there your problem is further toward the headlight. No voltage at either side of the fuse the problem is closer to the high beam switch.
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There appears to be a stalk issue. I started fiddling with the stalk seeing what would happen in between clicks (off-parking-headlights) in either the low or high beam position until I saw the headlight on between the parking and headlight position. I repeated this process until I saw at least a low beam light on the driver's side whether the stalk was in the upper or lower position.
After repeating this about 20 times, the driver's side high beam came on. After 10 more times, the driver's side high beam came on and stayed on at the correct click position and lower stalk position. I repeated the process of normally turning on high beams with success.
For the moment, the car_does_have high beams! Hopefully, they will work in the morning.
Thanks everyone!
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1990 AR Spider Graduate
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