Low beams & High beams on together?

[Deathegg]

Hi Everyone! Just noticed something last night. If I Gently push the stalk, to get to the high beams, there is a point where BOTH high and low beams are on at the same time. It's really bright, and I like it! Has anyone seen this?

I would like a way to have them both on at the same time, for those instances where I'm driving somewhere thats REALLY dark (dark mountain road, etc). But I'm assuming that it would take its toll, and burn out the bulb much faster.

Thoughts?

[CTScott]

You will likely melt the connector and possibly the headlight assembly if you do that for long. It's just a case of a switch that doesn't have a "break before make" mechanism, so you have that small spot where both contacts are powered.

[Ot_tO]

If you have a headlight with a H4 bulb:
low beam - 55 W
high beam - 60 W

If you have the low beam on and you pull the stalk, you have also high beam on. This is only for a short time usage.

If you have the low beam on and you push the stalk, you have low beam off and high beam on. This is for long time usage.

If you count both together you would have 115 W in this headlight, too much for a long time.


You could install retrofit headlights. With one bulb for low beam and one bulb for high beam.
Then you have the low beam on if high beam on (push and pull the stalk).
(Oh, no, you have the 2009-2011 Yaris like I, then not this way.
Or, you could install the 2006-2008 front bumper, then the retrofit headlight would fit.)

Or, you could install additional high beam light on the bumper.
They would switch on additional with your high beam.
(I think about to do this way, because my Yaris can't get retrofit headlights, because no manufacturer produce them for 2009-2011 years. )

Or, you could install a HID lens kit in the original headlights.
Maybe this high beam (maybe also low beam) is brighter than normal H4...
This could only the members tell which installed it.

[DeeBee]

Originally Posted by Ot_tO

You could install retrofit headlights. With one bulb for low beam and one bulb for high beam.
Then you have the low beam on if high beam on (push and pull the stalk).

Hi Ot_tO,

I am interested in this set up for my lights.

Would you be kind enough to share what I would need to duo for wiring to get this result?

I do have a wiring harness running the headlights, separate low beam and high beam but the low beam cuts off when the high beam is selected.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[spiceyhotwings]

Originally Posted by CTScott

You will likely melt the connector and possibly the headlight assembly if you do that for long. It's just a case of a switch that doesn't have a "break before make" mechanism, so you have that small spot where both contacts are powered.

I had my highs on for a long while and I smelt burning rubber and now my high beams and high beam indicator on the dash doesn't light up.
I think I fried something?
Is it an easy fix or should I just add some
bright driving lights?

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by spiceyhotwings

I had my highs on for a long while and I smelt burning rubber and now my high beams and high beam indicator on the dash doesn't light up.
I think I fried something?
Is it an easy fix or should I just add some
bright driving lights?

The indicator is fed directly off the bulb circuit, so it makes sense that both do not work. The most likely point of fryulation is the bulb connector. start with checking that.

[spiceyhotwings]

Originally Posted by CTScott

The indicator is fed directly off the bulb circuit, so it makes sense that both do not work. The most likely point of fryulation is the bulb connector. start with checking that.

So, they do look fried..the left side connector is more brown than the right side connector.
How do I replace one or both connectors?

[CTScott]

Originally Posted by spiceyhotwings

So, they do look fried..the left side connector is more brown than the right side connector.
How do I replace one or both connectors?

You can buy them from most auto parts stores. Some even stock ceramic ones, which are more heat tolerant. Typically they come with about 6" of wire, so you cut and splice them into the existing harness.

[Yaristeve]

Originally Posted by CTScott

fryulation

[z0mb13k1ll]

hah, i stumbled across this post and thought it was funny because i noticed this a couple weeks ago when i was flashing my hi beams at my friend who was driving slow infront of me. i thought it was the coolest thing, but now i know not to do it for long :/ oh well

[Shroomster]

Personal rant, (not directed at O.P)

If you can't see at night without highbeams you shouldn't be driving at night.

If you drive with highbeams on with other cars on the road, you need to stop. High beams are not for all the time driving, and shouldn't be used as such.

The lazy people who think its ok to use highbeams once the regular lights burn out instead of spending 4 or 5 bucks to change them are completely inconsiderate and shouldn't be allowed to drive until they learn respect and how to change the bulbs.

Keep your lights clean and you shouldn't have issues.


/personal rant

[WRX]

Hid kit bulb has two separate bulbs as you can see, where as halogen h4 has two filaments and one bulb.

I have a 2012 yaris le and was replacing my light bulbs thought id snap a pic.

[bairjo]

Originally Posted by Shroomster

Personal rant, (not directed at O.P)

If you can't see at night without highbeams you shouldn't be driving at night.

If you drive with highbeams on with other cars on the road, you need to stop. High beams are not for all the time driving, and shouldn't be used as such.

The lazy people who think its ok to use highbeams once the regular lights burn out instead of spending 4 or 5 bucks to change them are completely inconsiderate and shouldn't be allowed to drive until they learn respect and how to change the bulbs.

Keep your lights clean and you shouldn't have issues.


/personal rant

The lights are on..but you're not home.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...6t0bc--vKUvm6A

[Deathegg]

Originally Posted by Shroomster

Personal rant, (not directed at O.P)

If you can't see at night without highbeams you shouldn't be driving at night.

If you drive with highbeams on with other cars on the road, you need to stop. High beams are not for all the time driving, and shouldn't be used as such.

The lazy people who think its ok to use highbeams once the regular lights burn out instead of spending 4 or 5 bucks to change them are completely inconsiderate and shouldn't be allowed to drive until they learn respect and how to change the bulbs.

Keep your lights clean and you shouldn't have issues.


/personal rant

I know it wasn't directed at me, but I do feel I have to reply somehow. If it's dark out (after sunset that is), and even if there are streetlights on the street, as long as there isn't another car coming towards me, I WILL have my high beams on! I just like being able to see as far as possible under any condition, and that means high beams. Comes in handy for detecting deer or other animals on the side of the road that may jump out at you, or kids, or any number of other things that you can't see in the dark.

I put it this way: can you see farther on a sunny day or at night with the low beams on? Of course on a sunny day. So, light is GOOD. MORE light is better, as long as you're not blinding other drivers (either oncoming cars or the car in front of you.... people forget that high beams in your rearview are realllllllly annoying).

Also wholeheartedly agree with your statement about people who won't install a new bulb and continue to use the high beams everywhere, blinding other drivers. Sheeesh, buy a new bulb already!!

[instantninja]

Originally Posted by Shroomster

Personal rant, (not directed at O.P)

If you can't see at night without highbeams you shouldn't be driving at night.

If you drive with highbeams on with other cars on the road, you need to stop. High beams are not for all the time driving, and shouldn't be used as such.

The lazy people who think its ok to use highbeams once the regular lights burn out instead of spending 4 or 5 bucks to change them are completely inconsiderate and shouldn't be allowed to drive until they learn respect and how to change the bulbs.

Keep your lights clean and you shouldn't have issues.


/personal rant

You haven't driven anywhere with large animals I take it. I drive with my high beams on when ever its safe to do so. With the large deer and moose population and the rural roads/highways I commute on I'd be crushed by now if I didn't use them.
One thing I will rant about though, is the abundant use of HID bulbs in housings designed for halogens around here. Its straight up dangerous.

[nookandcrannycar]

Originally Posted by instantninja

large deer and moose population

I drove from Edmonton to Jasper, and then to Saskatoon going back through Edmonton. The population you mention (plus add some sort of 'goat' that can graze on a very steep incline, and others) visible from the road between Edmonton and Jasper was astounding....and probably small potatoes compared to way up your way.

[JustPassinThru]

Back before faired-in replacable-bulb headlights, I got curious with my 1973 Pinto wagon. I had the then-new halogen sealed-beams in it; and I was teaching myself mechanics and dinkering around with it. Some things worked - like removing the fan. The few times I needed engine cooling, as in stopped in traffic, I could effect by cranking up the heater. Rest of the time free-air worked fine and I felt the added power. Much quieter, too.

The headlight idea came to me; and I did it by bridging the dimmer switch lines. On the floor - anyone remember those? Put a splice across it, and high-beams were on all the time.

It didn't help. I got a lot of glare back with high-and-low together that I did NOT get with high-beams alone. In other words, low beams angled the light down to where it bounced off the pavement right in front and threw glare back. Good for city traffic; unneeded and unnecessary on the highway (highway speeds in those days were 55 mph)

The cautions about melting all that plastic are probably well-founded; but I'd add you're not missing much. You'd be better off getting driving lights added up front.

[spiceyhotwings]

Hi Scott,
I replaced the connectors but the high beams and dash still don't light up.
Now what should I do next, could something be fried in the stalk arm?
I checked all the fuses and they look fine...which fuse runs the high beams?
The dash lights were working when I fried the high beams, but eventually the the dash went black.
In the daylight position the dash lights up but as soon as I turn on my driving lights it goes off.
If I can't get this fixed I'm seriously thinking of adding some bright off road lights to my car for extra lighting.