Headlight problems.

[stupidboy]

All my lights work good but when I use high beam for more than 10 minutes the lights go out! Any ideas where I should look for the problem?

 

[DirtDonk]

Yes.
If you don’t already have them, convert your system to use relays instead of having all the power go through the dash headlight switch.

And have you updated your headlights to halogen? Or are you using original 40W/45W incandescents?
Modern headlights, especially halogens, have higher wattage high beams. And even though they are only 60 W nominal, the halogens seem to be enough to trip the internal circuit breaker in the switch.

 

[BGBronco]

Could be something else but, an HD Harness is an easy/cheap upgrade!

 

[Brush Hog]

Might be dimmer switch. Then try these. I’ve been running them for about 4 years. Love it when it gets dark and I pull the switch.

 

[Yeller]

As stated, need a relay on the headlights. You’re tripping the circuit breaker in the headlight switch. Very common with any halogen light upgrade, even a sealed beam halogen upgrade from the 80’s. Other option is to swap to an LED headlight, problem will go away.

I edited my terms. I wrote “tripping the really” the correct term is “tripping the circuit breaker” would be the actual device not a relay.

 

[stupidboy]

Sounds like my problem. I’ll try the relay harness, thanks.

 

[hyghlndr]

Couple of things - relay harness upgrade, dimmer switch or often the dash light switch itself.

 

[stupidboy]

New switch and dimmer but still the same. I do have halogen headlamps on the original wiring. I didn’t realize there is something in the switch that kicks out when it gets hot.
First time it did it I was 40 miles from home and thought WTF

 

[DirtDonk]

Same here. I ran on my fog lights for the rest of the night and then fixed it the next morning.
Built my own relay harness and never looked back.
Still using the same switch today.

For anyone reading this, if it ever happens to you, pull over and disconnect one headlight.
That’ll halve the load on the switch and should get you where you need to go. If it’s not too far gone.

The old wiring is not helping anything either, but the relay conversion should illuminate all the weak links.

 

[jmhend]

New switch and dimmer but still the same. I do have halogen headlamps on the original wiring. I didn’t realize there is something in the switch that kicks out when it gets hot.
First time it did it I was 40 miles from home and thought WTF

Pat, I suspect you need relays. This solved my problem. Let me know if you need the details.

 

[stupidboy]

I have a harness ordered