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Headlights: high and low beam on wiring?

85 Jimmy

85 Jimmy

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Searched, but couldn't find anything.

Does anyone have a schematic for how to have the low beams stay on when I turn on the high beams?
I have the lmc headlight relay kit, would like for the low beams to stay on also. I know this was fairly common at one point.
 
My b I l put big diodes running from hi to lows they work one way.
 
Not quite what you asked, but since you already have it setup with relays, could you just wire up all four with high/low?

Among my many projects, this is one I intend to do at some point.
 
dyeager535 said:
Not quite what you asked, but since you already have it setup with relays, could you just wire up all four with high/low?

Among my many projects, this is one I intend to do at some point.
Click to expand...

but, how would I wire it? I swapped out the janky lmc relays for some 30/40 amp Bosch style relays. One relay for high’s and one for low’s. Not sure if it matters, but the middle pin (87a I believe) isn’t used on either.
 
As said a diode will work. Use some generic diode like a 1N400x (should be able to handle the solenoid current of the relay). Connect the diode to the 86 pin of each relay, but it goes in a specific direction. You’ll notice a line on the body of the diode. Make sure that goes to the 86 on the low beam relay.
 
I’m not familiar with diodes. The x in 1n400x, is that just any of the 400 series diodes? 1, 4, 7?
 
85 Jimmy said:
but, how would I wire it? I swapped out the janky lmc relays for some 30/40 amp Bosch style relays. One relay for high’s and one for low’s. Not sure if it matters, but the middle pin (87a I believe) isn’t used on either.
Click to expand...

I did a quick calculation, someone can double check me if they like, but I believe high beams are 55W, give or take. At 12V, 4x55W is less than 30A. So I think the relays that you used would be fin to run all four high beams through it.

Four wires would come out of the high beam relay, one to each bulbs high beam pin, or run a jumper off the pin at the headlight connector to the light below it. On the low beam side, it would be identical, just use the low beam relay's output. However you do it, need to make sure the wiring can handle it, but IIRC, GM used from pretty small wire even on the high beam side, which is partly why the relay mod is supposed to help.

I'm assuming the LMC setup is two relays, one high, one low?

IMO this is a band aid compared to running the LED setups, but those are significantly more expensive than just running four of the same high/low sealed beams.
 
I'm just a round light truck guy,but u would put the diodes on the control wire. not the power wire.
 
dyeager535 said:
I did a quick calculation, someone can double check me if they like, but I believe high beams are 55W, give or take. At 12V, 4x55W is less than 30A. So I think the relays that you used would be fin to run all four high beams through it.

Four wires would come out of the high beam relay, one to each bulbs high beam pin, or run a jumper off the pin at the headlight connector to the light below it. On the low beam side, it would be identical, just use the low beam relay's output. However you do it, need to make sure the wiring can handle it, but IIRC, GM used from pretty small wire even on the high beam side, which is partly why the relay mod is supposed to help.

I'm assuming the LMC setup is two relays, one high, one low?

IMO this is a band aid compared to running the LED setups, but those are significantly more expensive than just running four of the same high/low sealed beams.
Click to expand...

it’s 1 relay for high and 1 for low. When I did the mod, I also got glass lenses with the replaceable bulbs, like new vehicles. I could pop in some led’s I’m sure with no problem.
 
I thought there used to be a tech article on making all 4 lights come on together but, to me, the articles are hard to find since the last forum overhaul.

If nothing else I think LMC offers a kit which might make it easier than deciphering a diagram.
 
85 Jimmy said:
it’s 1 relay for high and 1 for low. When I did the mod, I also got glass lenses with the replaceable bulbs, like new vehicles. I could pop in some led’s I’m sure with no problem.
Click to expand...

The only advantage to LEDs IMO is the designs that imitate the new vehicle setups with the cutoff. From what I've seen thus far, only way to get that is the ready made LED housing/bulbs. Just an LED bulb wont do it.

I'm too cheap and have a fair number of sealed beams, only thing that is gonna help me is more bulbs being lit until I feel like spending hundreds on the unarguably more effective LEDs.
 
If you set it up so that the low beam filiment and the high beam filiment are on at the same time in the same bulb, as I believe the OP is asking. It WILL be brighter, but will burn bulbs out fast. I've done that mod before and I was losing bulbs quickly until I disconnected that.
 
Yeah, if someone wants to do that, different than what I was suggesting. Only advantage to mine is that you could run with four low beams.
 
nvrenuf said:
I thought there used to be a tech article on making all 4 lights come on together but, to me, the articles are hard to find since the last forum overhaul.

If nothing else I think LMC offers a kit which might make it easier than deciphering a diagram.
Click to expand...

I thought there used to be a tech article, but I couldn't find it anywhere. That was on my phone, maybe I'll have better luck on my computer??
 
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