In this article, we will discuss some of the common issues that Chevrolet Camaro SS owners face with their headlights and provide some potential fixes to these problems.
From blown fuses to faulty wiring, we’ll explore different solutions to help you get your Camaro’s headlights up and running again.
So, if you’re having issues with your Camaro SS headlights, read on for some helpful tips and tricks.
1. Headlight Issues Due to Blown Fuses (Camaro SS)
If you’re facing issues with your Camaro SS headlights, such as the passenger headlight, fog light, and some taillight functions not working, or the driver side headlight going out, there are several things you can do to diagnose and fix the problem.
Firstly, check the fuses. If the fuses are okay, try replacing the taillights with new ones and the bulb for the passenger side. However, if this doesn’t work, take a look at the fuse box again. You can find the fuses for the right and left HID, which both have 20 fuses. If you notice a blown fuse, replace it with a new one of the same rating.
But be careful while doing this, as there might be loose connections or damaged wiring. To avoid any risk of electrical shock or damage to the car, it’s best to consult a qualified mechanic. They can run a thorough electrical diagnostics test to identify the exact issue and provide a solution.
Attempting to fix electrical issues without proper knowledge and tools can be dangerous and can end up costing more in the long run.
It’s important to note that taking your Camaro SS to a dealership for electrical diagnostics can be costly, with a minimum of 3 hours or a fee of around $500.
However, seeking professional help is always the safer and more cost-effective option than attempting DIY repairs. By taking your car to a qualified mechanic, you can ensure that your headlights and other electrical components are working properly, and avoid any potential hazards.
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2. Solving Camaro Headlight Issue (Won’t Turn On)
If your Camaro’s headlights are not turning on despite functioning brake lights, turn signals, and interior gauge lights, the problem may lie in the headlight switch itself.
The switch may be broken, as twisting it to adjust the brightness of interior lights has no effect.
To fix this, remove the gauge cluster and unscrew the nut on the cover of the switch to unplug it and plug in a new one. However, if you have checked the switch with an ohmmeter and it appears to be okay, and the “hot” wire going into the switch is reading 0 volts, try running a wire from the fuse box to splice into the switch wire, being careful not to double feed it and cause the fuse to blow.
Check the fusible links from the starter/starter solenoid for burns and corroded connections, and clean the connectors below the brake booster and the firewall to fix any burnt or corroded wires.
You can try checking the connection at the firewall to fix the issue. If you have already checked it and everything seems fine, make sure to torque it down properly when putting it back on. In case the issue persists, try taking off the connection with the lights on and tightening the bolt until it won’t go any further. This should fix the problem permanently.
3. Camaro 88 Headlight Fuse Problem
If you’re having trouble with the low beam headlights on your 88 Camaro, you’re not alone. It seems that both low beam headlights have stopped working while the high beams still work fine.
You may have checked the fuses and changed the dimmer switch, but that didn’t solve the issue. Before you go replacing the headlight switch and instrument cluster, have you considered checking the bulbs? In this case, both bulbs were the issue and replacing them solved the problem.
So before you jump into more complex and expensive fixes, start with the simple things first.
4. Camaro 2012 RS Lighting Issues
If your 2012 RS Camaro has been experiencing lighting issues and you’ve ruled out the bulbs as the problem, it’s likely an electrical issue. Both headlights and a fog light being out makes it undriveable at night, so it’s crucial to find a solution. Have you checked to see if the bulb sockets are charred?
Overheating can cause the sockets to melt, leading to loss of contact with the bulb. Aftermarket sockets tend to fail more often, and unfortunately, GM replacement sockets may not be readily available. It’s best to replace the sockets with new ones that can handle the wattage of your bulbs.
Messing around with wires for temporary fixes is not recommended as it can cause further damage. A full fledge replacement of the wiring system can be costly, but it may not be necessary if you can identify and replace the faulty components.
5. 2010 Camaro SS RS Headlight Issues
If you’re experiencing issues with the headlight on your 2010 Camaro SS RS, specifically on the driver’s side, and you’ve already ruled out a bulb problem, it’s likely an issue with the harness or ballast.
It’s recommended to inspect the ballast first, as it’s a more common culprit. Check the fuse first to ensure it’s not the problem, and then inspect the ballast for any damage or loose connections.
If you need to replace the ballast, you can find cheaper options than the $153.
You can access the ballasts without removing the bumper by putting the car on jackstands, removing both front wheels, removing the plastic inside the wheel well, and removing the windshield washer reservoir. Removing the dex cool reservoir would be helpful but is not necessary.
If you’re facing headlight issues, try disconnecting and inspecting the ballasts, and then plugging them back in. This can sometimes solve the problem if a connection has shaken loose.
6. 2011 Camaro RS High Beam Fuse is Blown
If you’re experiencing a blown high beam fuse that immediately blows when you turn on the high beams in your 2011 Camaro RS with HID headlights, it’s likely caused by a faulty ballast.
After checking the fuses and bulbs, and verifying that there’s no short in the harness, the technician suggests that the ballast has failed and is overloading the circuit.
In my opinion, if someone has suggested that it’s a faulty shutter and that the entire headlight assembly needs to be replaced, it may not be accurate. From my experience, I have not seen shutter issues on GM headlights and believe it’s more likely a ballast issue causing the problem.
7. Camaro 81 Headlights Stopped Working Due to Dimmer Switch
If your 81 Camaro’s headlights suddenly stopped working, it could be due to a number of reasons, including a blown fuse, faulty fusible link, or a malfunctioning switch.
In this case, it could be the headlight switch or the floor mounted dimmer switch. One way to troubleshoot is to use a 12V lighted probe tester to check for power at the headlight plug and the dimmer switch.
If there is power, check the black ground wire connections, and if there is no power, suspect a bad dimmer switch or headlight switch. In this specific case, the problem turned out to be the headlight dimmer switch.
So, if you’re experiencing similar issues, it’s worth checking your dimmer switch to see if that’s the root of the problem.
8. Camaro 68 Headlights Not Turning On Due to Dimmer Switch
If you’re having trouble with the headlights on your 68 Camaro not turning on, there are several possible culprits to investigate.
Start with the dimmer switch and connector, as these are often prone to corrosion and shorting. Check for voltage in and out of the dimmer switch with a test light.
If there’s no voltage anywhere, then move on to checking the output from the headlight switch. Once you have power at all those places, check the headlights and pull them to check for both power and ground. If you still can’t find the problem, it could be a fusible link in the wire, which can fail over time.
Check for power at the headlight switch and dimmer switch to determine if the link has failed. Additionally, the ground at the lights should also be checked. Keep in mind that 68 Camaros didn’t have a headlight relay unless it was an RS model.
9. Camaro 1994 High Beams & Low Beams Headlight Issues
If you’re having issues with both your high beams and low beams being on at the same time and your turn signal switch isn’t working, it’s possible that the multi function switch may be broken or replaced with a cheap one that doesn’t function properly.
You can try rewiring the headlights to a new toggle switch to pass inspection. Cut the wires as marked at the base of the steering column and run a lead from both wires to the toggle switch. Then, run another lead to the other two wires and tie them together.
When the switch is moved, the lights should go to low beam. The color of the wires will depend on the fixture and may not be clearly marked, so you’ll need to determine the colors based on the wires that lead into the fixture. This should still allow the lights to run through the relay.
Final Words
This article addresses common headlight issues that Chevrolet Camaro SS owners face and offers solutions to help troubleshoot these problems. From blown fuses to faulty wiring, various solutions are explored to get the Camaro’s headlights working again. If you’re experiencing any issues with your Camaro SS headlights, keep reading for some useful tips and tricks.