sealed beams... HELP!

[caz]

Alright... this is driving me nuts. I don't know what the problem is.
91 eclipse
After previously having a bad alternator a couple months ago (car was down after replacing it), my headlights seemed to be shot. Instead of swapping over to h4's, I'm just going to do a temp fix and put some new sealed beams in.

This is what is happening:

Original lights:
both are VERY dim on low beams
and only one is on and bright with high beams

I went to replace the drivers side, and same thing happened...
stayed dim for low's, and the passenger light (original lamp) is bright.

I swapped the like fuses around to see if it would make a difference, but same result. What is going on? HELP!

 

[rgurleyjr81]

I can't see where a bad alternator would just mess up the headlights. From what it sounds like to me, you have a circuit problem. Check around the headlight wiring harness and also look for the ground cable for that circuit, maybe it's corroded or loose. I'm thinking maybe you damaged or pulled a wire loose when you were changing alternators. I don't think a bad headlight switch or relay would cause this so your best bet is to start checking everything in the path from the switch to the lights.

 

[caz]

yeah... I wouldn't think the alt would have anything to do with it either...
however, we fried the alt when we were doing my fmic (don't ask)
and since, my headlights had these probs, and my fogs don't come on at all.
I'm clueless...

 

[caz]

any more suggestions? I want to get this knocked out tomorrow. Need Ideas..

 

[Defiant]

Re-wire the ground wires from the headlights.

 

[caz]

Re-wire the ground wires from the headlights.

I was thinking about that... I may just splice and hardwire them. It can't hurt.

 

[caz]

Alright... I messed with them for as long as I could in the TX heat..
looks like the harnesses are definitely coming apart.
What is each wire for

3 wires:
1 red w/ blue stripe
1 red w/ white stripe
1 all red

 

[luv2rallye]

Red w/blue stripe should be +12V from headlight relay (when lights turned on).
All red should be high beam switch wire (switch connects it to ground to turn light on).
The other wire should be all black which connects to ground.
You better test for voltage on the one and check ground continuity on the other two since someone put in a different color wire.