1991 S13 - High Beams don't work...

[Soy]

Hey guys and gals - got an interesting problem...

My brights don't work on my s13. I've replaced the bulbs, and no dice.

When i click over to brights, the light in the dash comes on, but the headlights just die out completely. If I try to flash my brights, again, the light comes on, but the headlights don't flip up, nor do the bulbs activate.

I've checked the switch on the tree - it seems fine, though I don't have anything to replace it with to be completely thorough. However, from everything I've read, it seems as though it would be the relay under the hood? All the fuses (both in car, and under hood for headlights) are good, so I can only assume it's a relay problem.

I don't hear any relay fire when i try the brights... shoud I?

Also, which relay would it be that needs replacing, and how would I go about checking to see if it actually works, outside of hearing it click over?

(As you can tell, I'm not exactly an electrical guru... I'm more of a motor guy)

Thanks for your help in advance.

James

[Soy]

...on a similar note, my cruise control isn't working either. The switch on the bezel turns on and off, and when I use the steering wheel controls the light in the dash turns on and off, but the cruise itself never engages.

Are these two related? Do they run off the same relay?

Thanks,

James

[Soy]

...anyone got any ideas? It sucks not having brights.

[AeonTorpor]

I'm having a similar problem but my brights work when you flash them (towards you). When you click them to stay on, they just shut off. I have no clue what the problem is, i'm not an electrical genius either. I'd like to hear this one out.

[fatboy]

clock spring most probably

[Soy]

I don't think it's the clock spring - all the switches and buttons work, as does my horn. I'm thinking the problem lies elsewhere in the electrical lines, or at a relay or something.

As far as I've seen, if the clock spring breaks, it kills your horn, cruise control, and (in s14) airbag... right?

[fatboy]

wrong, not nessesarily

[Zion8561]

Headlight relays are near the stock airbox location. IIRC there are 3 there that are identical so just mark them and try switching the locations and see if the problem goes away on the headlights and moves to the other system.

I also had a problem with my highlights and it was the switch. There is an internal relay on it.

*edit... There is also a relay by the main battery fuse block. you should hear it switching over there if power is getting that far. I dont think the headlights pop up if you just flash the highbeams either. Good luck