Another low-beam issue

Post by **olpossum** » 09 Nov 2017, 14:29

Driving to work in the dark this a.m.,both headlights went out at the same time as the ABS light, the"BRAKE" light, and the bulb failure light came on. I stopped, hit the dimmer and the highbeams came on. Low-beams still don't work. I drove on, made a stop, and when I started the car, the ABS and "BRAKE" lights were no longer lit, but still no low beams. No blown light fuses. The high ones are plenty low, but what gives? I just checked the old ones, they're both shot, and there's 12V or so to the sockets. I bought a couple of H7s later but I don't want to install them if they're going to get burned out.

Post by **misha** » 09 Nov 2017, 14:49

You have short somewhere,electrical system failure or ignition lock problem.
What car you're talking about..'99 or '03?

Post by **olpossum** » 09 Nov 2017, 15:17

The 99

Post by **misha** » 09 Nov 2017, 15:39

olpossum wrote: ↑09 Nov 2017, 14:29 ...both headlights went out at the same time as the ABS light, the"BRAKE" light, and the bulb failure light came on...

This indicates that you have a possible ongoing ignition lock failure(try to jiggle the key a bit and see if gremlins disappear).You also might have electrical problem like shot alternator or voltage regulator.
Do you have a battery warning light ON?
What voltage reading do you have on battery terminals when engine is idling?

Post by **olpossum** » 09 Nov 2017, 16:25

11.66 volts. I changed the ignition lock a few years ago. It had the same trouble they've all had except the 03 wagon - the switch locked up, could not be turned on to start. This one that I put in this 99 S70,I guess it may have been 5 years ago it locked up again a couple of weeks ago and I fixed that with a trick I got off of this website. I'll put the new bulbs in and try it, but I can't do it this evening. Thanks. I'll have to do it in the morning. It's going to get down to about -5C here and I'm not prepared for it. Ciao!

Post by **misha** » 09 Nov 2017, 16:32

With 11.66v reading on batt.terminals when engine is idling....your alternator is completely dead.

Post by **olpossum** » 09 Nov 2017, 17:37

! Guess I'll get another one. Thank you.

Post by **misha** » 09 Nov 2017, 18:12

Park the car untill you sort it out....otherwise you will kill the electronics and make more damage since they don't receive proper voltage of 12v.
That said...the car will run untill the battery dies...and since the alternator doesn't recharge it and doesn't supply the car electronics....it will not run long.

Post by **olpossum** » 09 Nov 2017, 18:26

I will. I'm going to the junkyard, probably tomorrow, and get one. Bought this car 10 years ago in Northern New Jersey,for my daughter. It had 55,000 or so on it,now has 265,000. Original alternator,shocks,hoses. I've had a few issues,but I like it and it still looks good.

I appreciate your counsel.

Post by **wizechatmgr** » 09 Nov 2017, 23:58

Also check your headlights. When my alternator went it took out the headlight low beams and the fog lamps that were turned on. The battery/charging light was on for less than 10 seconds and then was never seen again.