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HELP 1981 eldorado no headlights

Started by Tonyv_73, June 09, 2017, 10:21:22 AM

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Tonyv_73

So last week my high beams were stuck on, while I was driving, then suddenly my headlights shut off. The daytime running lights are still on.  I replaced headlight switch and they still don't work. My car has auto dimming and twilight sentinel, I was told there's a separate relay for the auto dimming. Could anyone give me the part number and location for that relay and any other issues to rule out or consider. Rd an 1981 eldorado Biarritz v8 6 4
1963 Series 62 Convertible
1965 Eldorado
1966 Calais Sedan
1970 Fleetwood Brougham
1970 Wildcat
1970 Coupe Deville
1973 Eldorado Convertible
1974 Coupe Deville
1976 Coupe Deville
1981 Eldorado Biarritz
1985 Eldorado Commemorative Edition
1991 Brougham
1993 Eldorado 4.9
1996 Fleetwood Brougham
2006 XLR
2006 DTS
2014 XTS

TJ Hopland

I will have to do some digging and see if I can find my electrical service manual.  Have not seen it since my last move so it could take some time. 
StPaul/Mpls, MN USA

73 Eldo convert w/FiTech EFI
80 Eldo Diesel
90 CDV
And other assorted stuff I keep buying for some reason

John Madan

It likely is the auto dimming relay on the road now and can't get the part number it is a metal relay near the firewall on the driver's side it has 2 plug in connection and has the word "guide" on it. The same part was used from the 60's until auto dimming was discontinued around 86.You may be able to pry it apart and clean the contacts. I had the same problem with my 81 Seville
2 almost perfect 1984 Seville s 1 is rare touring edition with every available option 1980 Classic Seville diesel that is being restored 1981 and 1982 Seville Roadster 1982 is beyond perfect 1985 base Seville 1978 Eldorado beyond perfect. I have done almost every procedure in the GM shop manual on the Seville if anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me

76eldo

Clean the foot operated dimmer switch and cycle it a bunch of times.  It may clear your problem.

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

TJ Hopland

Foot operated dimmer on an 81?  My 80 Eldo has it on the turn signal.   Or did the auto dimming put it back on the floor?
StPaul/Mpls, MN USA

73 Eldo convert w/FiTech EFI
80 Eldo Diesel
90 CDV
And other assorted stuff I keep buying for some reason

V63

1981 does not have daytime running lights? that's your blue twilight sentinel 'eye' dusty  or obstructed

Many of those era GM cars were 'theft recovery', it was absolutely an epidemic! My neighbor had his 81 delta royal stolen so many times he left the window down and key in the ignition😂. True story! At least he wasn't having glass and column repairs upon recovery.

The theives would hammer out the left side of the now plastic column...this action would immediately default the headlights to high beam. When the police later knew to investigate any cars with high beams on...the perps would hammer out the high beam bulbs as an added precaution.

Repaired columns could be more problematic.

76eldo

OK, guess I am losing it.

I had the same problem with my 76 and it was the foot operated dimmer.

By 81 the high beam switch was on the column I guess.

What year did that start?

Brian
Brian Rachlin
Huntingdon Valley, Pa
I prefer email's not PM's rachlin@comcast.net

1960 62 Series Conv with Factory Tri Power
1970 DeVille Conv
1970 Eldo
1970 Caribu (?) "The Cadmino"
1973 Eldorado Conv Pace Car
1976 Eldorado Conv
1980 Eldorado H & E Conv
1993 Allante with Hardtop (X2)
2008 DTS
2012 CTS Coupe
2017 XT
1956 Thunderbird
1966 Olds Toronado

V63

In 1979 the highbeam was moved to the turn stalk. It was the start of alll the amazing functions they cram into a modern turn stalk today.

smokuspollutus

All of the newer E cars have the high beam on the column.