high beams not working

[Roy Rey]

I have apart from Napa, and I am wondering if I need to remove the chrome wire that flexes when pushed that comes with the new switch for under the dash? Installed new switch by no change as of yet?
1987 chevy 3/4 ton, Scottsdale.

 

[goldpack]

welcome, and someone may have a better answer than me, ... but while you wait or read:

looking for it here: has old scan of the factory repair manual

Free Service Manuals for 1987 Chevrolet vehicles | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair/service/workshop manuals for many 1987 Chevrolet vehicles, including electrical diagrams, recommended bolt torques, and estimated labor times.

charm.li

(Charm library is for these is in Lichtenstein = .Li.... )

Diagram Information and Instructions — 1987 Chevrolet V 20 P/U 4WD V8-350 5.7L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 1987 Chevrolet V 20 P/U 4WD V8-350 5.7L.

charm.li

Headlamp Switch — 1987 Chevrolet V 20 P/U 4WD V8-350 5.7L Service Manual | Operation CHARM

Detailed repair manual for the 1987 Chevrolet V 20 P/U 4WD V8-350 5.7L.

charm.li

 

[goldpack]

Edit: I will right align my post here, discussing my 1986, as the forum software does not mark the original poster with the 1987 vs. my 1986]

I have such problems to with my 1986, high beams work sometimes.
its a 4 lamp grill. I replaced the drivers side high beam with a new one as the old one got cracked with a pebble.

cleaned the contacts, cleaned the drivers side ground, but I know there are still more places to chase, and some head light problems stem from the other side or other places in the wires.

inside:
both low beams work fine, as does the passenger side high. main pull switch working but not great. blue high beam indicator in cluster sometimes works. people type of the column mounted dimmer being a pain work with.​

 

[Matt69olds]

The fact that the high beam indicator doesn’t always work leads me the think the issue is the dimmer switch.

Once the column is dropped, it’s fairly easy to get to

 

[Sad Sack]

And if you get adventurous, with this kit you can eliminate the power feed to headlight from the headlight switch and it will act as a turn-on switch only while providing more juice to the HLs thru the relays. Guys here swear by it. Mine is on the way:

https://www.lmctruck.com/electrical/wiring-components/gm-heavy-duty-headlight-harness

 

[YakkoWarner]

I have the column mounted dimmer also - the switch is in the base of the column and is actuated by a metal rod coming down from the turn signal/wiper/dimmer/cruise/does-everything-but-drive-the-truck lever. The switch itself is pretty easy to get to since its at the base of the column (and if some are working and others not, chances are the problem is the switch not the lever/rod assembly because that would be an all or nothing situation). If you take the screws out of that little panel of the dash under the column you should be able to access the switch there.

 

[goldpack]

I ordered from LMC​

HD Wiring harness for 4 lights (as they call Duel), so $30 for a new better wire harness / relays to replace the 40 year old stuff.

a dimmer for the column and some extra associated things if needed. (not sure if duplicated by the harness,...but only $6.00 for those ...rockauto looked more expensive )​

Headlight Dimmer-Column Part #: 36-0621	$13.20	1	$13.20
Connector-Dimmer Switch Part #: 36-0581	$2.95	1	$2.95
Connector-Headlight Part #: 36-0582	$3.00	1	$3.00
Heavy-Duty Headlight Harness Part #: 36-3581	$30.23	1	$30.23